“Stormy or sunny days, glorious or lonely nights, I always maintain an attitude of gratitude.”
Maya Angelou
Sooooooooo, it is possible that I may have a slight addiction to journals. I love to write and journals can literally be found all around my house. Writing is healing for me, and it’s probably why I began with Maya Angelou’s words, so I can channel some of her writing wisdom. During a recent organization session, (Read my Sept. 7th blog on “Decluttering “) my organizer noticed this. “You have a lot of journals , you must write all over your house” I guess I do. One of the benefits is going back and reading what I wrote in different journals during different phases of my life. But even in the midst of whatever I was going through, the consistent thread was always the gifts that made me grateful.
During this past extended pandemic season, I have been more intentional about maintaining and writing what I am grateful for. Research shows that there are many benefits to gratitude journals.
It improves your physical health - Taking the time to center, breathe and write is a way of release. There have also been research that shows that taking the time to do this can lower pressure , improve heart rate and stress. (We still have to exercise, too - smile)
It improves your mental health - Taking the time to gratitude journal is healthy for your mental space and can shift your perspective. I have reread journal entries where I have had an extremely stressful day, but taking ten seconds to read a text from a friend who said she was praying for me was my piece of gratitude for the day. Sometimes it was a short video or post that made me laugh, taking a nap or receiving a real hug. Being grateful doesn’t mean that I dismiss the challenges of my days, but recognizing these precious pieces of gratitude help ground me through it.
It improves relationships with others - If I am taking time to gratitude journal, most of what I am grateful for is interaction and relationships with others. In addition to journaling about an encounter, relationship or friendship that I treasure, I usually take it a step further and reach out to thank the person. Acknowledging my gratitude for someone extends beyond the journal. Everyone benfits from receiving affirmation and thanks. When you take the time to acknowledge and thank someone, that may be the piece of gratitude that they need to help ground them and give them something to write in their gratitude journal.
It can improve sleep It has been helpful to gratitude journal in the evening for me. It centers me and it is a way of releasing thoughts, so that they don’t go into automatic replay in my mind. Research shows that taking the time to journal can quiet your mind and put you in better piece of mind to sleep. I also turn off Social media and close down the apps on my phone overnight. Whenever I can sleep peacefully, that is always going in the journal. “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone Lord, make me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8
It helps my spiritual growth - When I have read journals during difficult days, I remember writing that it made me more intentional about prayer and connection with God. I recently read a reflection by Dr. Monica Coleman, that made me look at prayer through a additional lens. What if we don’t focus the worth or value of our prayers based on the outcomes? What if prayer is what keeps us grounded and connected to God in the good, the bad, the beautiful and the painful times. Sometimes my gratitude journal was simply writing a scripture or reminding myself that I am loved by God.
My Mother always says that we don’t need to wait for a season or special day to be grateful. It can be ThanksLiving day every day. When I journal tonight, the fact that I was able to write this blog will be in my gratitude journal. Waking up early to see the sunrise while I wrote it (I am not a morning person … so this is huge - smile) will be in the journal.
If you are reading or listening to this blog right now, I am grateful for you taking the time. You are a blessing and I appreciate and am thankful with a heart full of gratitude for you. I am always grateful for music, take time to listen to “Grateful” by Hezekiah Walker. It is included at the end of this blog.
And yeah, I still have a journal addiction, just ordered this really nice one yesterday …….. pray for me.
Grateful,
Sheila P Spencer
I am always grateful for music. Sharing this with you - enjoy.