The Compounding Effect of My Gratitude Habit
Take Pen to Paper: Edition 17
When I started keeping a gratitude journal, I was a non-believer.
This quickly changed. I went from my typical optimistic self to feeling happier. Gratitude became a habit. It became an essential part of my morning routine. Slowly I realized I was changing.
I developed a mindset of gratitude.
Gratitude had me looking for positives in my life. Looking for positives led me to think about how to be positive - actions to take and words to say (or think). I learned to concentrate on what I controlled, even if that was only a simple physical, verbal or mental response
The more you practice gratitude, the more your perspective changes.
Gratitude contributes to your overall ability to see your place in the world in a positive light. It helps you understand that you control only your thinking and actions. In my case, gratitude then made me look for opportunities to take action.
Our holiday plans this year changed suddenly due to my husband’s work issues and then the weather. Two events I couldn’t control. But I could control my reaction. A change in plans can be easily dealt with if you have the right perspective.
When I looked back at my 2022 goals, my new perspective helped me see I didn’t have control over some factors needed to accomplish them. Reflection on one goal revealed it wasn’t even appropriate for me.
I have clarity about what I control and acceptance that I wish I had years ago.
… an honest understanding of what is within our control provides real clarity about the world: all we have is our own mind. Remember that today when you are trying to extend your reach outward — that it’s much better and more appropriately directed inward. -Ryan Holiday, The Daily Stoic
Do you need to practice gratitude to understand what you control? Probably not. Keeping a gratitude journal definitely makes it easier.
7 Days, 7 Thoughts on Gratitude and Good
It’s good to see the beauty in small things we pass by every day. It’s easy to notice the bold at eye level. As my picture shows, beauty can be found in the cracks in the road. You need to look for it.
A quote: “And if you don’t think you have anything to be grateful for, keep looking. Because you don’t just receive optimism. You can’t wait for things to be great and then be grateful for that. You’ve got to behave in a way that promotes that.” - Michael J. Fox
You might be interested in Cullum McGrath’s most recent post on gratitude for his newsletter, Thinking Loud.
Maybe you would like to start journaling gratitude over your morning cup of coffee. Check out this article about the future of coffee after you write your gratitude.
This 7-minute video on perspective by former astronaut Ron Garan is well worth your time to watch.
This article explains how gratitude could be linked to self-control and cooperation. The authors think we can cultivate gratitude. I agree.
I’m grateful for the mistakes I make. They often remind me of what I do and don’t control. Mistakes are how we learn.
Thank you for reading!
Do you keep a gratitude journal? It’s easy to write one or two sentences of gratitude. (You can repeat things you’re grateful for or challenge yourself to find small things.) If you do it daily, you will see a change.
If you don’t keep a gratitude journal, are you going to give it a try? Let me know!
-Susan
Thank you for your writings each week.
I have started a daily written grateful for. I have a gift from a long time friend. JESUS SAVES. It is a one page daily devotional. I write my grateful for at the bottom of each daily page. Right there. Easy to do.
Ame, That's great! I was just thinking about daily devotionals today. I'm working on next week's post and I think it will be about using the tools we already have. Which you are doing!
It's always good to hear form you.