My journal with this quote on the cover: "Nothing is worth more than this day." Goethe
In the wake of Hurricane Irene, I wanted to talk a little about gratitude and how it can totally change your life. It was pretty disturbing to hear fellow New Yorkers complaining that the storm didn’t somehow meet or exceed their expectations and hit harder. Seriously? How about the devastation that Miami or New Orleans or Japan have experienced after natural disasters? How about being incredibly grateful that NOTHING happened and we’re all safe and sound.
So, it seems an appropriate time to share a bit about how gratitude and recognizing why we’re grateful can make your life incredible. GET THIS –the life I bet you’ve always wanted (but didn’t think possible) will begin to manifest when you immerse yourself in the power of positivity.
I started keeping a nightly gratitude journal about two months ago as part of a school assignment that was only supposed to last one week. I loved the exercise so much that I continued it, and now it’s something I look forward to doing each night. The exercise goes like this: Write 3 things that you are grateful for and why they happened. Pretty simple, right? I never thought doing it would have such a profound effect on my life.
I think the most powerful part of the journaling is not only recognizing the multitude of things there are to be grateful for every day, but realizing that I made the majority of the things happen by being present. I always have more than three things to jot down (I save the extras for another day), and it’s fun to think pleasant thoughts while I unwind in bed in the evening. I also try not to repeat, but sometimes thoughts return and I let them go on the paper organically. I especially like to do this exercise when my day isn’t going so hot, because it’s a great way to turn your opinion around and go to sleep on a happy note. For example, my entry yesterday (after a long & draining day):
1) My strong body – because I care about myself and nurture my body with healthy food and exercise
2) My daily yoga practice – for connecting with Tara and trying out a new studio that turned out to be just what I needed right now in my life
3) The strangers that smiled back at me today on the street – because I smiled first
It’s so simple. And guess what started happening when I started to focus on all these positive thoughts? Positive things started to occur all around me. And rather than turn a blind eye or let them pass me by, I remain present and have opened my heart and mind to new possibilities and connections. And the goodness is flowing!!!!!!! Awesome things just keep on coming and I’m welcoming them with open arms.
Give it a try! It may totally change YOUR life for the better, too.
What’s something you were grateful for today? Make me smile and leave me a comment below!
Positive vibes and happy journaling,
Ali
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