I recently met a lady who told of her habit of keeping a gratitude journal. In it she writes at least 3 things each day that she is grateful for. She explained how she has been doing this for many years and how it has profoundly changed her life by helping her to change her focus. She was very convincing.
I like to think of myself as a grateful person and one who readily recognizes and expresses gratitude. (But I know I have room to improve) As the parent of teenagers who I feel could be more aware and expressive of gratitude I certainly liked this idea “for them”. So I presented each of them with an empty book and explained the vision. Accountability could happen at any time that I called them to share with me the latest entries in their gratitude journal. They were willing but hesitant…so I offered that I would also be keeping a gratitude journal and would share with them as they shared with me.
I haven’t been perfect at it…as it’s still becoming a matter of habit for me, but I have been very energized and inspired as I have reflected on what I am grateful for. It has also been at least somewhat evident that the exercise is also having an effect on the kids. Cultivating a grateful heart is not the result of a single choice…or thought…but of the cumulative effect of thousands of them. I know I have a journey ahead of me….perhaps we all do. For my part, I am grateful to be on this journey and to be traveling with people who are also becoming more and more aware of all we have to be grateful for.
It has been my experience that grateful people serve more readily, give more generously and smile more often than those that are not. I want to become one of those that are. If the charge against me is “Gratitude”… I would like to be found guilty.
Here are some thoughts from previous years T4Ds. http://kirkweisler.com/t4d/2010/11/24/down-under-thanksgiving/
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