Journaling with an Attitude of Gratitude.

I had been thinking for some time about keeping a Gratitude Journal.
Having a better personal attitude sounded like it could be a good thing.
My intentions are to recognize my Blessings, have a Grateful heart and
remind myself daily to be very Thankful.

I have a notebook by my nightstand it has now become my Gratitude Journal.
I can not wait to keep at it, this is my gift and promise to myself, I will try and
write nightly. I have not had it long, it is separate from my Daily Journal, this writing
hopefully will cultivate a better, more rich internal life, and attitude of gratefulness.

Before bed I think of at least one thing that I was grateful for that day, I’m hoping for more, but am thinking I’ll take one, that’s good for starters. In the beginning I had a few times I could think of nothing, I asked myself “What was I grateful for today?” “Think,” I came up blank. It wasn’t going so well for a few days and then one night I wrote “I am grateful for being Alive!” That was huge, I was tired and grateful I had written something and could go to sleep not feeling guilty. I did however wonder what happened to my good Intentions. I kept the promise and stayed with it, finally it was not hard at all, I knew that even on a bad day I was still able to come up with a few things.

That was in the past, I have come to believe that when I am feeling badly, having a tiring
day, I can still find something to be grateful for. Practicing started making perfect sense, I for sure am daily grateful for my family and children and their continuing good health and happiness. I practiced and spent time early on thinking of the small things, they slowly started to grow in importance. One night I was giving thanks for the warmth of the afternoon sun, it lit up my day so brightly. I have been loving the songs that I hear from the birds outdoors and their beautiful colors, albeit few as it is winter here.

Not to forget also giving thanks for some of the amazing pictures I see on Triond. They at
times just Wow me! The extraordinary collection of Poems and Stories that delight me more each time I read through them. One day I was grateful for at last having the energy to straighten out the mess that had been accumulating in my closet, thanks to an article I recently read here. The many articles not only teach me new things they widen my eyes, many touch my heart deeply. Some carry me away to different Countries, Yes, for this too I am grateful.

The longer I practice Gratitude, the easier it is for me to find many things to write down each night. I hope to keep this up, my life is enriched, I do grow from this all. My desire is to be Thankful for even the smallest of daily happenings. Staying well, breathing in the fresh air when walking outdoors. What a perfect time of year to see all the Beautiful decorations displayed for the upcoming Holiday’s. I am so grateful for my family and friends and health. Yes, I will continue to keep my “Attitude of Gratitude,” it makes such good sense to me. I hope, I fill my Journal pages soon, this will be a very good habit.

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Comments (44)
  • IcyCucky on Nov 27, 2007

    I have many journals too, and my obsession to buy new ones won’t disappear either.
    So glad to read this wonderful article.

  • M. T. Bargeman on Nov 27, 2007

    Hi, Francie!

    I just wanted to say how much I like this article. There is a lot of heart in it. Thank you for your comments on my articles. I appreciate it greatly. Glad your son’s eye came out alright, as well.

  • C A Johnson on Nov 27, 2007

    This was a very interesting article. I need to do something like that too. It would make me aware of the things that I should be grateful for.

  • Lucy Lockett on Nov 27, 2007

    Fan-tas-tic! I have many things to be grateful for and when I am laying still in my bed I count my blessings. I would like to be able to keep a journal and write something (a thought for today) journal or something like that. You are a gem, lots of goodwill and love shines from you.Thanks for sharing!

  • francie on Nov 28, 2007

    Thank you for your comments, Welcome M. T., thanks for loyal friends, I have never been called a \”gem\” what a wonderful
    word to use! Right here I have plenty to be grateful for. Thank you

  • Liane Schmidt on Nov 28, 2007

    Dear Francie*

    I absolutely love this. It takes the value of journal writing to a higher level. Millions of people will benefit from this tremendous idea!

    Best wishes & blessings you and your beautiful son, always.

    Sincerely,

    -Liane Schmidt.

  • Judy Sheldon-Walker on Dec 5, 2007

    I love this article – kind of like half full instead of half empty.

  • francie on Dec 6, 2007

    Thank you Judy, good thought to remember :)

  • Jessica Fike on Dec 19, 2007

    At this moment I am grateful, for having a chance to read this article, its very enlightening and humbling…it could remind us all the ability to have such a grateful humble heart is in its self a thing to cherish and be grateful for.

    Fantastic Article!!

  • Dee Huff on Dec 21, 2007

    Francie, you’ve reminded me that this is something I should take up doing again. I used to keep a daily journal and a gratitude journal, and it helped me to get through a very difficult time. I seem to have dropped the habit. Maybe my new years resolution should be to start writing both journals again.

  • C A Johnson on Jan 6, 2008

    Hey Francie! I checking in. I’m looking forward to reading the next article that you write.

  • Ed Moore on Jan 6, 2008

    Warm, gracious, pleasant. Keep writing, cause we need more of this in our world today!

    Ed Moore

  • Nick Kenney on Jan 7, 2008

    I don’t keep a daily journal but I do try to remember to say “thank you” everyday especially when I’m on the road and on Sundays in Mass. Great article Francie and great advice for us all! We all need to say thank you everyday.

  • Francie on Jan 8, 2008

    Thank you for your comments left…I am humbled and *grateful.

  • Moses Ingram on Jan 15, 2008

    Hi Francie, I want to tell you how much I loved this article. We seem to think alike on this. Recently I’ve been thinking about the importance of gratitude, and what a great boost it can be to our mental attitude. I think I will start a gratitude journal, it souunds like such a great idea. I’m going to read more of your work.

  • Francie on Jan 20, 2008

    How kind your comment is Moses, I’ve been so busy that I have to play catch up w/my journaling. Thanks for your compliment! Good luck and I hope your journaling *enriches your life!

  • ranfuchs on Jan 21, 2008

    what a great idea. Thank you

  • Francie on Feb 8, 2008

    Thank you for stopping to read, my new giving thanks ranfuchs has been a real ‘God Send’ for me. Remembering daily to be thankful has enriched my life, I really do believe that.

    I also enjoy catching up w/your articles.

  • Lucy Lockett on Feb 8, 2008

    I am back having another read, this is truly one of the better articles. Gives me warm fuzzies! Thank you!

  • Francie on Feb 13, 2008

    I’m glad, you’re simply the kindest!
    Best always,
    Francie

  • tracy sardelli on Feb 29, 2008

    Very true more people should do this. There is so much that is not appreciated.

  • nobert soloria bermosa on Apr 5, 2008

    nice piece,,,..i really enjoyed reading this one

  • salvatore on Apr 20, 2008

    nice work, nicely worded

  • frankimoon on May 4, 2008

    hi Francie, what a fantastic idea! Keep up with this attitude, it’ll lead you very far :-) Blessings, FX

  • Rachel on May 4, 2008

    Hi Francie… this is a really good inspiration. Thank you.

  • louie jerome on May 7, 2008

    Very inspirational.

  • Francie on May 15, 2008

    Thank you for the above comments, I still find it helps to write at night, daily events I have to be thankful for. On a ‘not so good day’ I think nothing… if I am quiet and think hard enough I come up with something. I sleep easier when I give thanks however small.

  • Rebecca Anne Grant on May 30, 2008

    I started a journal myself but I just can’t seem to find the time to write in it everyday. I want to but I haven’t wrote in it for a long time now. Everything seems to swallow up my time and putting down those memories on paper always takes a backseat to everything else. I think it’s great that you can make time for two journals when I can’t even seem to get around to one. I am still working on my schooling and this is hard enough with a two year old bouncing on my lap. I wish you luck with it and maybe one day I too will have time for something like this.

  • Nick Kenney on May 30, 2008

    Hi Francie!! Delighted to see you writing again!
    And this is great advice!
    My Jan always finds reasons to celebrate life even when it’s coming up weeds…

  • Shames on Jun 2, 2008

    Nice article!

  • Jonathon D. Sturgill on Aug 6, 2008

    Very good. There is nothing better than physical confirmation such as writing to express one’s grattitude!

  • Balzac on Aug 22, 2008

    I know you don’t need another comment, for you have many; but here it goes: I thank you for this article. We all need a Journal like that. Your example is enough for me to start one.
    Saludos.

  • Harry D. on Oct 28, 2008

    What a beautiful positive piece of prose, we neen more like you. Too many people go around with their chins on the floor

  • Harry D. on Oct 28, 2008

    I meant to say ‘we NEED more like you,sorry for typo!

  • Peter Cimino on Dec 15, 2008

    What a wonderful thing you do!

  • Luzanie on Dec 16, 2008

    Very Nice!

  • Matt H on Dec 22, 2008

    Incredible article- and I loved the title too!

    ~Matt

  • Jasin on Dec 23, 2008

    Great article, thanks.

  • gianne on Feb 8, 2009

    I love the way this made me feel….like I create my world, and being thankful for ALL of it empowers me!

  • numismatic on Mar 10, 2009

    Nice title, caught my eye!

  • Leonardo da Vinci E. on Sep 10, 2009

    Now I want you to try another trick: Do a small act for your loved ones and them tell them you did it because you were grateful that they were in your life.

  • Shirley Aguas on Oct 10, 2010

    I strongly believe your gratitude journal will yield good result.

    Have a nice day :)

  • thresiapaulose on Nov 10, 2010

    Hi friend Francie,
    Thank you for your informative article. Nice reading. Please do help me to promote my writings. Paulose

  • lolontka on Mar 10, 2011

    I do this too. It really does make your life better.

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