Gratitude: If you do Nothing Else…Do This

Next to my bed there is a journal.  I haven’t written in it for over a year.  I’m a slacker that way, but I intend to start again.  The journal is supposed to be what is called a “Gratitude Journal.”  If you Google this term, you will have more information than you can deal with.

The basic idea is this:  Choose a journal and every night before you go to sleep write down 5 things that you are grateful for today or things that made you happy.

You are not allowed to write negative things in this book.  Though occasionally when I’ve had a bad day I will write something like….

1. Air

2. No one stabbed me

3. I didn’t get eaten by Dingoes

4. Water

5. Was not abducted by aliens

The longer you keep at it, the easier it will be to put positive experiences in your list.  I find myself making the list in my head throughout the day and frequently had more than 5 things.  The great thing about this little, insignificant exorcise is that it helps you to focus on the good things in your life, and it creates a record of things that make you happy.

You can write a short list or paragraphs or pages.  It doesn’t really matter what the format is.  Just try it.  How could remembering things that make you happy be a negative thing?

I love to re-read the things Ive listed in the past to give myself some perspective on a bad day. Unfortunately, I got distracted from this plan a while back.  I was probably too drunk and too tired, too many nights in a row and I broke the habit.  But its a habit I will re-start now, and I encourage you try it too.

(Photo by Barnaby)

Related posts:

1. Gratitude: Cultivating a habit
2. Focus on the meaning: Let’s give some Thanks! (Gratitude Revisited)
3. 2010: A year in review
4. Why do you complain?
5. Infect others with joy: How to fight your boss