This fall we had the privilege of learning from Brené Brown and her team. An experience that I am truly grateful for! One of my many takeaways from our time together was that Dr. Brown shared that her research has shown that practicing gratitude invites joy into our lives. I wanted to learn to actively practice gratitude and so I set out to do just that. The #CompelledTribe's blogging topic for November is gratitude, so I have the perfect reason to reflect on my journey.
At first, I tried to intentionally jot down things that I was grateful for as an entry in my bullet journal each day. This was helpful in that it slowed my thinking down and gave me a time to focus on what I was grateful for. My gratitude reflections were mixed in with other thoughts and notes from my day. I tried to read through my entries once a week, but it wasn't a great system.
And then I discovered an App, Grateful, A Gratitude Journal, and added it to my iphone. The App notifies me at the same time every day to stop and write. This practice helps me to acknowledge the small and large things in my life that I am grateful for. The journal has a place for me to write a little or a lot. I can also attach photos to my posts, which I love. My photos range from people & places, to screenshots of texts or social media posts. The mixed media helps me to capture more moments than just being able to enter text. Looking back at the many moments I have recorded, some of the simplest entries are the most profound to me. The journal helps me focus on what really matters.
And then I discovered an App, Grateful, A Gratitude Journal, and added it to my iphone. The App notifies me at the same time every day to stop and write. This practice helps me to acknowledge the small and large things in my life that I am grateful for. The journal has a place for me to write a little or a lot. I can also attach photos to my posts, which I love. My photos range from people & places, to screenshots of texts or social media posts. The mixed media helps me to capture more moments than just being able to enter text. Looking back at the many moments I have recorded, some of the simplest entries are the most profound to me. The journal helps me focus on what really matters.
I believe when Mark Twain said, “I can live two months on a good compliment,” he expressed the powerful impact kind words can have. He felt noticed and valued. I believe that when we show gratitude to a person by extending a genuine compliment a bond is strengthened, trust is built, and conversation encouraged.
My journey this year has shown me that practicing gratitude is a cycle, you internalize and recognize a moment or situation and then you share it back to the source. Looking for the good in others or situations and showing appreciation costs us nothing.
I am going to continue down this road and I hope to get stronger in my practice. I would love to hear your story and any tips you may have to pass along.
Sharing this as a resource:
Books by Brené Brown (They are all great!)
My journey this year has shown me that practicing gratitude is a cycle, you internalize and recognize a moment or situation and then you share it back to the source. Looking for the good in others or situations and showing appreciation costs us nothing.
I am going to continue down this road and I hope to get stronger in my practice. I would love to hear your story and any tips you may have to pass along.
Sharing this as a resource:
Books by Brené Brown (They are all great!)
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