I never thought of gratitude as a compounding habit (until I met you!). I feel like reading your pieces are like a reminder from the universe to always be grateful. In fact, I can probably say that this is my weekly reminder to practice my gratitude!
Side note: This past week we had a huge rainstorm. When I woke up the next morning I spent nearly an hour walking my dog because I kept spotting so many mushrooms popping up! Something about observing nature makes me feel like a kid again :)
Brian, Reading this makes my day!❤ I am so happy to that I am inspiring you and others. Gratitude is such an easy habit to pick up with so many benefits. I feel the difference when I don't get my daily walk!
This is something I have been actively working on, and I am trying to apply it to journaling. If the habit sticks, I will write it up. By the way, there are no chipmunks here in West Nowhere, Japan, but I did spot two crabs sneaking into their little crabby holes by my house today. Sorry, no photos this time.
I do look out there daily, but I don’t cross the street as much as I should. Life is hectic at the moment, but as soon as it slows down a bit I plan to block off “beach time” on the calendar more often.
I always feel good after reading your articles, Susan! I thought you may want to hear about one of the sightings I had last year while on a walk. I’d been in a bit in a funk, and I'd started a walking routine hoping to increase my endorphins and serotonin. I was looking for positivity to creep back into my brain. Near the end of my walk, I saw a toad at the edge of the street. I made a beeline to it and bent down to examine it. It was flatter than a pancake! Then, I took a closeup picture of it! Actually, I will admit to taking two! As soon as I walked in the door, I showed the pictures to my husband and told him, "My life is better than this!” (I also told him that I was going to print the photo and frame it, but I didn’t go that far!)
I ended up showing the photo to my sons and a couple of friends, and I repeated the mantra, "My life is better than this!” Each time I shared the photo and my new manta, I got a laugh. I’m sure a comment of it or me being gross and weird also followed.
I thought about this toad for quite a while. The realization that my life was definitely much better than the dismal end to this toad's life somehow had helped spring forth a new perspective on life! My walks continued and I took lots of pictures of flowers and deer and even videos of hard working dung beetles rolling their balls down the street.
I’d forgotten about this toad…until tonight while reading your article. It’s funny how it isn’t only the sweet and beautiful things that can help us see the positive things in our life.
Candy, this is so true! I love this story. It's easy to get caught up in our heads with just stuff. I felt that way working during COVID and not being able to control so many of the issues of school and unreasonalbe demands. That's when journaling gratiutde saved me.
I'm glad you are enjoying my newsletter. It has brought me joy to write it!
Your jar of awesome reminded me of something I read about a couple years ago. A lady started what she called a "Good Shit Board." She used a white board to write down the good shit whenever it happened. She used it as a visual reminder of all the wins she'd experience. I LOVED that idea!
And I love your chipmunk 🐿 ♥️ When I run into tiny wildlife I literally say hello and talk to it in a baby voice 😂
Kristi, one of the things I journal each night is whatever made me happy. I make myself think of something. There's always something, although it's no always big.
And I whisper to the critters I see because I'm afraid if I'm too loud they will run off. LOL! So they don't even hear me.
I'm actually on my way out to buy a fresh, new journal book today, inspired by your glimmers and gratitude. I used to journal faithfully but let my habit slip in the face of grief after losing my son a few years ago. But believe it or not, noticing the little things helped bring my joy back and I'm ready to journal again! I suspect mine will be full of gratitude for my dog lol.
I never thought of gratitude as a compounding habit (until I met you!). I feel like reading your pieces are like a reminder from the universe to always be grateful. In fact, I can probably say that this is my weekly reminder to practice my gratitude!
Side note: This past week we had a huge rainstorm. When I woke up the next morning I spent nearly an hour walking my dog because I kept spotting so many mushrooms popping up! Something about observing nature makes me feel like a kid again :)
Glad you're doing well Susan!
Brian, Reading this makes my day!❤ I am so happy to that I am inspiring you and others. Gratitude is such an easy habit to pick up with so many benefits. I feel the difference when I don't get my daily walk!
This is something I have been actively working on, and I am trying to apply it to journaling. If the habit sticks, I will write it up. By the way, there are no chipmunks here in West Nowhere, Japan, but I did spot two crabs sneaking into their little crabby holes by my house today. Sorry, no photos this time.
Steve, you have to practice with what you have available! The beach is one of my favorite places, but I'm several hours away.
I do look out there daily, but I don’t cross the street as much as I should. Life is hectic at the moment, but as soon as it slows down a bit I plan to block off “beach time” on the calendar more often.
I always feel good after reading your articles, Susan! I thought you may want to hear about one of the sightings I had last year while on a walk. I’d been in a bit in a funk, and I'd started a walking routine hoping to increase my endorphins and serotonin. I was looking for positivity to creep back into my brain. Near the end of my walk, I saw a toad at the edge of the street. I made a beeline to it and bent down to examine it. It was flatter than a pancake! Then, I took a closeup picture of it! Actually, I will admit to taking two! As soon as I walked in the door, I showed the pictures to my husband and told him, "My life is better than this!” (I also told him that I was going to print the photo and frame it, but I didn’t go that far!)
I ended up showing the photo to my sons and a couple of friends, and I repeated the mantra, "My life is better than this!” Each time I shared the photo and my new manta, I got a laugh. I’m sure a comment of it or me being gross and weird also followed.
I thought about this toad for quite a while. The realization that my life was definitely much better than the dismal end to this toad's life somehow had helped spring forth a new perspective on life! My walks continued and I took lots of pictures of flowers and deer and even videos of hard working dung beetles rolling their balls down the street.
I’d forgotten about this toad…until tonight while reading your article. It’s funny how it isn’t only the sweet and beautiful things that can help us see the positive things in our life.
Candy, this is so true! I love this story. It's easy to get caught up in our heads with just stuff. I felt that way working during COVID and not being able to control so many of the issues of school and unreasonalbe demands. That's when journaling gratiutde saved me.
I'm glad you are enjoying my newsletter. It has brought me joy to write it!
Your jar of awesome reminded me of something I read about a couple years ago. A lady started what she called a "Good Shit Board." She used a white board to write down the good shit whenever it happened. She used it as a visual reminder of all the wins she'd experience. I LOVED that idea!
And I love your chipmunk 🐿 ♥️ When I run into tiny wildlife I literally say hello and talk to it in a baby voice 😂
Kristi, one of the things I journal each night is whatever made me happy. I make myself think of something. There's always something, although it's no always big.
And I whisper to the critters I see because I'm afraid if I'm too loud they will run off. LOL! So they don't even hear me.
HA! That's so cute.
I'm actually on my way out to buy a fresh, new journal book today, inspired by your glimmers and gratitude. I used to journal faithfully but let my habit slip in the face of grief after losing my son a few years ago. But believe it or not, noticing the little things helped bring my joy back and I'm ready to journal again! I suspect mine will be full of gratitude for my dog lol.
Oh, I love hearing this! My go to gratitude was coffee. I was teaching during COVID and each day presented unreal expectations.
I love reading your articles! 💚