I Will Express Gratitude
February 23rd, 2011 § 2 Comments
Every Christmas for five years in a row, my mom would give my siblings and I a “gratitude journal” in which we could write down what we were thankful for every day. Oprah did it, so it was obviously a brilliant idea. Because we never actually wrote in our journals, she kept re-wrapping the same journals each year. I can’t remember if I ever ended up writing in it. (Sorry mom). But today, I will write down five things that I’m thankful for in the morning. And then again in the evening. And maybe even in the afternoon.
Where I write, won’t be important–it doesn’t have to be in a journal. Most likely, my list will be on the back of a printed Westlaw case or an opinion that I don’t need. And most likely the list will then end up in the trash. Regardless, this is my experiment–to write down what I’m grateful for throughout the day and then observe how that makes me feel.
Starting with:
1) Ilea, who reminded me to write a post today (because otherwise I wouldn’t have taken the time to write or explore my own gratefulness this morning)
2) my hazelnut cup of coffee (which never gets old)
3) a sunny day (albeit freaking freezing, but I’m focusing on the positive, so I’ll add my gratefulness for the warmth in my apartment to this one)
4) Krishna Das (who starts my day each day with sounds of holiness)
5) Gratitude for the recognition of gratitude-our mere awareness of our own gratitude is certainly something to be grateful for
Ker – very well said. I just made a quick list on my notepad under my to do list (so grateful for the old fashioned art of written to do lists). Realized so many little and big things to be grateful for just in this moment that is was hard to write only 5. Awakening a renewed awareness for all we have to be grateful for really makes me wonder what all I miss when I’m not paying attention. Thank you Ker for this simple reminder.
My list for this morning…
1) friends – had dinner with the Drinkwine’s last night and they just feel like home to us. So refreshing to be around.
2) my bed – a warm and sacred refuge for me
3) the rain – it’s been raining here since last night (and started with a kickin thunder storm) and it feels so fresh outside. The green is starting to bud through the brown and anticipation for Nashville’s amazing green spring is thick in the air.
4) everyday miracles – both big and small. The Drinkwine’s have a brand new baby and holding him last night was an incredible reminder of how miraculous birth is.
5) my husband – I am so grateful that we met.
More to come I’m sure.
This is so great – like Ann Voskamp’s book, “One Thousand Gifts” –
all about gratitude!
you can read about it a bit here:
http://freeagentmommy.typepad.com/blog/2011/02/words-of-life.html