‘I realised that my focus was always on the negative and on what had to be done, rather than on what I’d already achieved or the things I could be grateful for.’ Wendy Fry on how a Gratitude diary helped her be more positive.
Times really don’t want all the cheeriness about. Clichéd quotes and all those preppy, positive utterances which sort of sends me into a deeper depression than the one I am trying to escape from – back off happy hippy!
But, and she says but, I admit to having a gratitude journal. Sort of. Actually do, although I don’t write in it everyday and times I have to think really hard about what I can be grateful for – this is tricky when life has just dished out the latest slap on the back of my head sort of thing, so I don’t push it. I would have to be drug induced to smile everyday with that gratitude label when it ain’t such a great day.
But, I digress. The journal, at it’s proper time, is great. And this is how I snuggle up to mine.
- Morning is best for me. With a strong espresso and a fluid, black, ink pen. Early means the day still has plenty of promise.
- Everything looks more ‘to be grateful for’ in the morning.’
- Weird as I am, I usually list one thing that is not so good. Short, sweet, just like that. Something happened, a diary entry. Then I write one word to address it – what I am going to do about it. Sorts that one out.
- List three things I am grateful for i.e. my children, my ability to travel, my home. Pick up on the three key points, children, travel and home and think of three ways I am going to enjoy them more. In a short amount of time, I have thought of a day out with my children and something to do in my home – even getting a bunch of flowers would be perfect.
(The Flowers I can have, the Hallway? Still a dream …)
In a quick sip of the espresso, I have dealt with a negative, listed three things I am deeply grateful for, and swung into positive action.
Short and so, so sweet.
Images: Gratitude forward TCK, writing forward, Pintrest