Gratitude is powerful. I’m beginning to think it may even be essential to happiness.
Lately I’ve been taking some steps to pull myself out of the low place I’ve been in this year and bring some positivity back to my life. Ever since reading Ann Voskamp’s beautiful book “One Thousand Gifts“, I’ve known there is something sacred about thankfulness. It truly has the power to transform. I even wrote about it in my book.
But thankfulness all too easily gets lost in the shuffle of life. How can we fix that? How do we make gratitude a daily habit, like brushing our teeth or hugging our kids?
With these thoughts stewing around in my brain, I came across a powerful article from Michael Hyatt, entitled “Perceived scarcity in a world of outrageous abundance.” His words cemented everything I’ve been thinking about lately:
“Yes, there are a million things we don’t have. But there are a million things we do. If we can see through the right lens, we have all been given more than we can possibly ask or imagine.
That lens is called gratitude, and it’s a lens that amplifies everything good in our lives instead of causing it to shrink to insignificance.”
I read those words over and over. The problem with depression is that it amplifies everything that is bad in our lives. It takes small failings and enlarges them until WE are the failure. It takes everyday struggles and expands them until LIFE ITSELF is the struggle. And in the process of zooming in on those bad things, the good stuff gets crowded out. We can’t even see the good any more.
How do we flip that on its head? By changing the focus. Grabbing the magnifying glass of our attention and zooming in on the good that’s already present in our lives.
To build a habit of thankfulness, I decided to start keeping a gratitude journal.
I purchased a plain Kraft-covered notebook from Officeworks and cracked open my stash of washi tape. Some of these rolls were from Typo, some from Target.
Want to make your own?
Start by sticking down a row of contrasting tape on an angle.
Rule off a straight line and trim the tape. A stanley knife would be easiest, but I didn’t have one handy so I just used scissors.
Add a second row of tape at an angle to the first.
Rule off and trim both ends of the tape. I made my second row shorter than the first, for contrast.
Lastly, use a liquid chalk marker to write your journal title…
… and add the year, if you so desire.
I’m trying to remember to write something I’m thankful for in my journal every day. Even if it’s just one thing.
As I do this, I’m discovering gratitude in the simple little things all around me. Things I might have looked straight past before, on my way to something “more important”.
The smell of a lemon, sharp-clean and invigorating.
Coloured pencils in a red tin bucket, creativity at my kids’ fingertips.
A drizzle of golden honey on white yoghurt.
A Bible verse that speaks to my heart.
And I think I’m beginning to learn that the small things just might be the big things, after all.
What makes you grateful today? Share one thing you’re thankful for in the comments.
I link up at these parties!
I link up at these parties!
A beautiful journal. I too, LOVED 1000 Gifts by Ann Voskamp! A group of ladies at my church did the study together…so good! Gratitude journals are powerful! May the act of being aware of blessings and writing them down– help you immensely!
I'm grateful for people like you with the gift of bringing inspiration through your words. Thank you!
A beautiful journal. I too, LOVED 1000 Gifts by Ann Voskamp! A group of ladies at my church did the study together…so good! Gratitude journals are powerful! May the act of being aware of blessings and writing them down– help you immensely!
Thank you so much, Michelle! I'm sure it will. And what an amazing book, right?! xo
<3 Thank YOU for your beautiful encouragement, Kim! It means a lot to me! xo
I'm grateful for people like you with the gift of bringing inspiration through your words. Thank you!
Thank you so much, Michelle! I'm sure it will. And what an amazing book, right?! xo
<3 Thank YOU for your beautiful encouragement, Kim! It means a lot to me! xo
Such a great idea! I'm reading the book "The Happiness Project" right now, and this is a great addition to things I want to implement in my life. Not to mention, the washi tape design is adorable! 🙂
Such a great idea! I'm reading the book "The Happiness Project" right now, and this is a great addition to things I want to implement in my life. Not to mention, the washi tape design is adorable! 🙂
I'm thankful you wrote this to remind me I haven't been keeping my thankfulness journal for a while. And I can feel the difference in my focus! Wasn't 1000 gifts such an inspiration? You remind me of Ann Voskamp in your transparency and poetic writing. hugs to you!
I'm thankful you wrote this to remind me I haven't been keeping my thankfulness journal for a while. And I can feel the difference in my focus! Wasn't 1000 gifts such an inspiration? You remind me of Ann Voskamp in your transparency and poetic writing. hugs to you!
What a beautiful thing to say! You always make my heart smile. xoxo
Thanks for the recommendation, Michelle – I'm keen to check it out! xoxo
<3 <3 Thank you Jeanine!
What a beautiful thing to say! You always make my heart smile. xoxo
Thanks for the recommendation, Michelle – I'm keen to check it out! xoxo
<3 <3 Thank you Jeanine!