It’s great to be grateful

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It’s almost that time of year where everyone asks each other what they’re grateful for. Now, don’t get me wrong I think it’s great to ask, but we shouldn’t be thankful only on thanksgiving when there are so many things to be grateful for.

About two years ago, I met someone at a poetry event who published a gratitude journal. At that time, I was a mess. I was just starting my journaling journey again and I was looking for everything to add in my collection. You can never have too many journals. Anyways, I purchased “The Miracle of Gratitude” by Denise Johns and wow, it’s been life changing. I guess this can be considered a long term review on that book lol.

I’ve always been a pessimist, but Writing has helped me more times than I can count. I haven’t always been grateful, so I figured the journal could help hold me accountable. And it did.

In the beginning Denise opens up with her moving story of gratitude, and in that moment I knew, this book was going to make a difference in me. The first prompts were interesting and I love how it was structured. There’s different categories of things you can be grateful for.

While journaling, I learned to be grateful for so much: Big things, little things, and things that haven’t even happened yet. I’ve learned to let go and find gratitude in myself. My confidence improved and so did my overall attitude.

For a bit, I struggled trying to think of things to be grateful for. I’d think up a bunch of materialistic items before I learned gratitude of myself. Being grateful for features of my body and personality helped shape the confidence I have today. I’ve learned to be grateful of others often, and share that gratitude with them. Some of the opportunities I’ve been given are because I’ve written them down and stayed dedicated. I found appreciation in my past and forgiveness in my mistakes. The ways gratitude changed my life makes me wish everyone shared their appreciation regularly, not just in November.

Without this book I would have overlooked simple things in my daily life that we sometimes take for granted.

I’m grateful for journaling. It’s helped with processing my emotions and getting clarity on my inner self.

I’m grateful for my blanket. It keeps me warm and cozy at night.

I’m grateful for my eyesight. The moon has been beautiful lately and I enjoy seeing it next to the stars.

I’m grateful for doors. I need my privacy and love having my own space.

I’m grateful for birds. The sounds of them chirping in the morning help me wake up feeling peaceful.

I’m grateful for the connections I make through my art. I get inspired by others to push myself and I’ve been told my words explain exactly how others feel. I’m grateful to have people listening and reading my work. It brings me joy that my words resonates with others and I’m not alone. I’m just as touched by your stories as you are mine.

I used to share my daily gratitude journal on Instagram and I haven’t in a while. I’ll start again. But for this month, I’m grateful for gratitude. It’s changed so many things in my life, not just in November but every day.

What are you grateful for?