From dangrdfne
"GRATEFULNESS - a transforming power
About ten years ago I came across an idea that has literally changed
the way my life works. The idea is, before going to bed at night,
write down 5 things you are grateful for that day. I remember in the
beginning I used to write things I was grateful for like "getting
home safely in an ice storm" and being grateful for "not going
insane". Some nights it was hard to think of five things to write. I
could barely find even one! After a while though, the focus of my
Gratitude Journal changed.
I started noticing the little things in life that had, obviously,
escaped me before. Like clean windows, birds singing in the mornings,
peonies in a mason jar filled with water on my kitchen counter, just
enough ingredients to make my son's favorite breakfast, my son, my
house, my cat, my clothes, my job, the freedom to shop and travel. I
mean really, the list grew and grew.
I am convinced that it is this attitude of gratitude that has brought
more abundance into my life. When things start slowing down and I
find myself worrying about my finances (again) my first realization
is always, "Oops! I haven't been writing in my Gratitude Journal".
You cannot have more or sometimes even enough, if you are not
grateful for what you do have right now. And I don't mean just
materially. There is a French proverb that says, "Gratitude is the
heart's memory".
Get yourself an attractive book with blank pages. Make sure the
pages are ruled if you do not like writing on unlined paper. It is
important that your Journal be attractive to you and that your
experience when writing in it is a good one. My journal has a red
suede-like cover with rhinestones placed on the cover in the shape of
a heart. The pages are silver tipped, lined pages with faint stars in
the background on each page. I found this journal for $2.50 on the
close out table at Barnes and Nobel one year! For me it is a symbol
of "me" because of the "Valentine" on the cover. Your book does not
have to be elaborate. Find one that is just right for YOU. And then
make it one of the first things you are grateful for when you start
recording the things you are grateful for.
Once you have your "book", spend a few minutes (less than that
really), writing five things you are grateful for that day. I list
the date on the page and then number like this:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Then fill in the blanks next to each number. During a period last
year, I was going through a hard time with some very unloving people.
One of my gratitude entries was "Nerves of steel". I was intending a
new job at the time, as well as more business for my private company
(transcription after hours and weekends). The results? I started my
new job a month later and began getting steady business for my
transcription business. Today, less than one year later, I am
completely self-employed. I swear I owe it to my Gratitude Journal.
The universe opens up for you when you walk your path in love and
gratitude. They go hand in hand.
I personally guarantee you will not be the same person a month or two
from now after mindfully giving thanks every day for the abundance
that exists in your life. The universe wants you to have what you
desire more than you do. There is an ancient spiritual law you may
not know about. It is this: The more you have to be grateful for, the
more will be given to you. Truly, gratefulness is a transforming
power."
About ten years ago I came across an idea that has literally changed
the way my life works. The idea is, before going to bed at night,
write down 5 things you are grateful for that day. I remember in the
beginning I used to write things I was grateful for like "getting
home safely in an ice storm" and being grateful for "not going
insane". Some nights it was hard to think of five things to write. I
could barely find even one! After a while though, the focus of my
Gratitude Journal changed.
I started noticing the little things in life that had, obviously,
escaped me before. Like clean windows, birds singing in the mornings,
peonies in a mason jar filled with water on my kitchen counter, just
enough ingredients to make my son's favorite breakfast, my son, my
house, my cat, my clothes, my job, the freedom to shop and travel. I
mean really, the list grew and grew.
I am convinced that it is this attitude of gratitude that has brought
more abundance into my life. When things start slowing down and I
find myself worrying about my finances (again) my first realization
is always, "Oops! I haven't been writing in my Gratitude Journal".
You cannot have more or sometimes even enough, if you are not
grateful for what you do have right now. And I don't mean just
materially. There is a French proverb that says, "Gratitude is the
heart's memory".
Get yourself an attractive book with blank pages. Make sure the
pages are ruled if you do not like writing on unlined paper. It is
important that your Journal be attractive to you and that your
experience when writing in it is a good one. My journal has a red
suede-like cover with rhinestones placed on the cover in the shape of
a heart. The pages are silver tipped, lined pages with faint stars in
the background on each page. I found this journal for $2.50 on the
close out table at Barnes and Nobel one year! For me it is a symbol
of "me" because of the "Valentine" on the cover. Your book does not
have to be elaborate. Find one that is just right for YOU. And then
make it one of the first things you are grateful for when you start
recording the things you are grateful for.
Once you have your "book", spend a few minutes (less than that
really), writing five things you are grateful for that day. I list
the date on the page and then number like this:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Then fill in the blanks next to each number. During a period last
year, I was going through a hard time with some very unloving people.
One of my gratitude entries was "Nerves of steel". I was intending a
new job at the time, as well as more business for my private company
(transcription after hours and weekends). The results? I started my
new job a month later and began getting steady business for my
transcription business. Today, less than one year later, I am
completely self-employed. I swear I owe it to my Gratitude Journal.
The universe opens up for you when you walk your path in love and
gratitude. They go hand in hand.
I personally guarantee you will not be the same person a month or two
from now after mindfully giving thanks every day for the abundance
that exists in your life. The universe wants you to have what you
desire more than you do. There is an ancient spiritual law you may
not know about. It is this: The more you have to be grateful for, the
more will be given to you. Truly, gratefulness is a transforming
power."