Uniquely Yours Craft Journal

Dear Fellow Journalers,

Mary Beth shares her Gratitude path  with us…

~Sallie

I’ve been keeping a Gratitude Journal for years. My first one was a composition book covered in wallpaper samples. I was in High School and I remember that my comments were mainly centered on friends, grades, hobbies. Later in college, my habit of writing in the journal waned due to the excitement of new relationships, college courses, experiences. My notes were few and scattered among the many notes on my calendar. I didn’t pick up writing again until I was married and expecting our first child.

My pregnancy journal reminded me of my “Things I am grateful for” journal so I started a new attempt. Over the next few years in between raising our young family, moving, New careers etc. I wrote. Most of my journal notes were written on pocket calendar pages. When I noticed a pattern of my repeating myself “I am grateful for the good weather, TJ’s grades etc.”  I realized that I had to make a change. You see, I wanted to be true to myself and I felt that my writing was forced and oftentimes written just for the sakes of being written.

I began to surround myself with pictures and inspirational music. Solitude was hard to find but the times I did find peace and quiet were the times I was most grateful. Now, repeating phrases (mindfulness practice) , looking at  picturesque landscapes etc. helps me remember who and what I am grateful for. Next time I will share some prompts that worked for me.

Mary Beth