February 7: Gratitude

Shiny and Icy...see the frozen icicles on the leaves!

Well, the temperature is supposed to rise to the mid 30's today, the mid 40's tomorrow and by Friday, the mid 50's!  I love snow, but I will be happy when the ice is gone.  It was so cold when I took the picture above that even in the sun, the ice did not melt!

Did you spend a large block of time this past weekend on something that brings you joy?  Be sure to include some joy filled moment each and every day.

So this week we are beginning a new idea - gratitude.  What is gratitude?  Well, its the quality of being thankful and showing appreciation in return to a kindness.  A lot of folks keep a gratitude journal where they list the what they are grateful for.  Things like...

Thanks for another day
Thanks for the time to spend with family
Thanks for help making a meal
Thanks for a note from a friend saying hi
Thanks for a good night's sleep

Thanks for a good result from a medical test

In other words, gratitude for both little and big things.   And just like finding joy filled moments, when you list all the things you are thankful for, it's hard to be pessimistic and have a negative outlook on life.  Chances are you will probably find yourself smiling as you list those things that you are thankful for.

Also, like those joy filled moments, when you begin looking for things to be thankful for, you will find more than you ever imagined.  

For the rest of this week, find a time that is convenient for you (most folks choose just before they go to sleep)to list fifteen things from the past 24 hours that you are thankful for.  One or two words or a simple brief statement description is all that's needed.  I used to write down in a journal lists of things that I am grateful for but now I simply list them in my mind as I drift off to sleep.  It's a good habit to make use of and writing the list is a good way to begin.

Talk with you tomorrow...