Thursday, November 23, 2017

Thankfulness: Not Just One Day A Year



Today is Thanksgiving Day in the States, a national holiday.

Many (but not all) Americans will have the day off of work. The reason for the day is ostensibly to "Be Thankful." Realistically, though, people are going to eat a lot of turkey, stuffing, and pie; watch some football or a parade; and maybe have a nap or play some card or board games. Some of the hard core Christmas shoppers will start shopping the "Black Friday" sales early that evening (made possible by people who take time away from their families so that people can shop). 

Thanksgiving Day gives me time with my own family, so I like it. We get to enjoy each other's company, eat some good food, take a walk in the beautiful park near my house, watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the National Dog Show, and get that nap in.

At any rate, regardless of what day it is, I tend to be thankful all year round, not just one day a year when we're "supposed" to be. So without further adieu, let's sum up some small portion of that:

my latest gratitude journal
~ I am thankful for my husband and family, our home and cars, our jobs and health, and our ability to pursue our hobbies. 

~ I am thankful for the multitude of amazing friends I have made over the years, and the wonders of social media and modern communication that allow us to be in touch so easily. Not only does social medial enable us to stay in touch, it's how I met so many of the people I cherish as friends.

~ I am thankful that I am about to finish filling up YET ANOTHER gratitude journal. I am also grateful that I was gifted with several beautiful blank journals to be filled (one of which is shown here). 

This isn't all I'm thankful for, but it's a good start. Gratitude is an important part of my happiness formula, and keeping these journals has done a lot to turn my worldview around from a negative one to a positive one. 

I tend to write either in the morning, especially if I'm in a negative mood, because it starts the day off right and helps me re-train my brain; or in the evening, as a way of wrapping up the day and reflecting quietly on something that went well. 

Keeping this journal has helped me remember what's going well in life when times are dark.  Entries don't need to be long, wordy, or complicated, either. Sometimes a powerful observation can be made in only a few sentences! 

Finally, journals aren't just for writing in; you can read them, too! I love reading my old entries! They are such a pick-me-up.

So...wherever you are, whether it's Thanksgiving Day or not, and whether you celebrate Thanksgiving or not, feel free to comment below: what are you grateful for? Do you keep a gratitude journal? And if not, what's your favorite way of acknowledging the good things in life?

Oh, I might add one final point: I'm grateful for all of you. Thank you for following me here! 

Happy Thanksgiving!  


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