Gratitude Journals

I have to say that the last 4 years have been on the challenging side for my little family culminating with me being diagnosed with cancer in September of 2011. When December 31, 2011 came around I felt a wash of hope come over me. I felt as though a darkness was lifting and the light was breaking thru. I declared that 2012 was going to be OUR year. I felt it. Cancer changes a lot of how I look at the world and how I look at myself. I have always considered myself to be a grateful person in life but now I am truly appreciative of even the little things in my life.

I watched Oprah’s interview with Lady Gaga and she talked about her gratitude journal from when she was a little girl. She even read an entry from it. I was moved by how she started journaling her gratitude as a young girl, it made her an adult who is grateful for every step of her life’s journey. Feeling inspired by Gaga, off I went to Winners and bought 4 journals. 1 for each of my older girls and 1 for Brent and 1 for me. The twins are too little to write but when they’re old enough, they too will get journals.

Every night before bed we all reflect on our day and write down at least 3 things we are thankful for.

Tonight I will write:
May 10, 2012
1) My daughters learning how to play chess for the first time.
2) The loving hugs I get when I come home from only being away for 3 hours.
3) Snow capped mountains and a blue sky with new buds greening up the trees.

What are you grateful for? Do you have a gratitude journal?