“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorns have roses.”
– Alphonse Karr, A Tour Round My Garden
For several months, I’ve kept a gratitude journal on my nightstand in which I’ve written one line before going to sleep. Whereas I process challenging encounters or work out problems for twenty minutes during my morning journal writing, this gratitude list took less than a minute each night. I didn’t think it would make a difference. However, I’ve found that it helps me shift any negative thinking, feel less worry and go to bed reflecting on a positive moment of the day. Taken collectively, the lines of gratitude give me a snapshot of the gifts in my life.
What are you thankful for today?
Thanks, Jenny. Needed that. On the gratitude theme, I wanted to share a long-forgotten association which popped into my head when I read the quote about the thorns and rose bushes. I am old enough to remember the movie "Pollyanna" (starring a very young Hayley Mills) when it was all the rage. I was only a child then, and heartily shared the character's sunny disposition and unswerving optimism. My idealism served me well until I was knocked flat more than once by the darker side of life (as most of us are). Now, after five plus decades, I am no longer naïve. But with age comes wisdom, and I find myself now back full circle - assured that the joy and light is always there, if I remember to look. Which reminds me - I need to get out my gratitude journal tonight, dust it off, and begin again. Thanks for the prompt! :-)
ReplyDeleteCarol, how lovely that the joy and light have returned for you. Grateful for your support, Jenny
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