Quote:
"He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not,
but rejoices for those things which he has." -- Epictetus
Journal Prompt:
We all have a choice when it comes to what we focus on. If we are wise,
we will choose to rejoice for the blessings that we have and not dwell
on what we lack. What do you focus on? How does it affect you?
In your Gratitude Journal, write down the effect of focusing on what you
have and then write down the effect of focusing on what you lack. Look
at the two lists and decide which one you choose to have in your life.
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Day 25
Quote:
The more you give -- the more you receive. You always get more of whatever you appreciate.
Journal Prompt:
Take a look at your life and what you are giving out on a daily basis.
How many smiles, kind words, laughter and hugs do you give in a day? How many compliments do you pay to others? Do you give of your time and talents? Do you appreciate what others do for you and express gratitude to them?
Or are you constantly focusing on your own needs and wants? Do you wonder "why me"? Do you give out commands and expectations? Do you wait around for others to serve you? Do you constantly talk about what's wrong with your life? Do you expect others to feel sorry for you?
Think about the questions above and don't be surprised when you receive exactly what you put out. Record what kind of life you want to have in your Gratitude Journal and then act accordingly ... the power is in you!
The more you give -- the more you receive. You always get more of whatever you appreciate.
Journal Prompt:
Take a look at your life and what you are giving out on a daily basis.
How many smiles, kind words, laughter and hugs do you give in a day? How many compliments do you pay to others? Do you give of your time and talents? Do you appreciate what others do for you and express gratitude to them?
Or are you constantly focusing on your own needs and wants? Do you wonder "why me"? Do you give out commands and expectations? Do you wait around for others to serve you? Do you constantly talk about what's wrong with your life? Do you expect others to feel sorry for you?
Think about the questions above and don't be surprised when you receive exactly what you put out. Record what kind of life you want to have in your Gratitude Journal and then act accordingly ... the power is in you!
Monday, March 3, 2014
Day 24
Quote:
"Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it." -- William Arthur Ward
Journal Prompt:
How often do you think about something that you like or are grateful for, but don't openly express it?
How many times a day do you express praise and thanks to your family members versus correction and frustration?
Make a conscious effort to notice things that you appreciate and then verbally express your appreciation as soon as you can. At the same time, be slow to speak about things that are negative in nature and that you are ungrateful for.
If you were to follow this advice in your life, do you think it would make a difference? Record your thoughts in your Gratitude Journal.
"Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it." -- William Arthur Ward
Journal Prompt:
How often do you think about something that you like or are grateful for, but don't openly express it?
How many times a day do you express praise and thanks to your family members versus correction and frustration?
Make a conscious effort to notice things that you appreciate and then verbally express your appreciation as soon as you can. At the same time, be slow to speak about things that are negative in nature and that you are ungrateful for.
If you were to follow this advice in your life, do you think it would make a difference? Record your thoughts in your Gratitude Journal.
Day 23
Quote:
"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." -- John F. Kennedy
Journal Prompt:
What are ways you can express your gratitude other than words alone? What do you think it means to "live in gratitude"? Write your thoughts down in your Gratitude Journal and commit to not only speak gratitude but to live it.
"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." -- John F. Kennedy
Journal Prompt:
What are ways you can express your gratitude other than words alone? What do you think it means to "live in gratitude"? Write your thoughts down in your Gratitude Journal and commit to not only speak gratitude but to live it.
Day 22
Quote:
"My plea is that we stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight. I am suggesting that as we go through life, we accentuate the positive. I am asking that we look a little deeper for the good, that we still our voices of insult and sarcasm, that we more generously compliment and endorse virtue and effort." -- Gordon B. Hinckley
Journal Prompt:
In your Gratitude Journal, draw two columns. On the left side write the word "Positive" and on the right side write the word "Negative".
Throughout the day, make a tally mark in each column every time you catch yourself feeling or expressing one of the two emotions.
At the end of the day you will be able to see which way you are tipping the scale in your life. Are you "seeking out the storms" or "enjoying more fully the sunlight"?
If you are 50% or more negative, then you'll want to continue this exercise every day until you tip the scale to the positive.
They say the best way to break a habit is to replace it with a new one. By consciously focusing on gratitude for thirty days, you will be forming a habit that will help you naturally overcome the habit of being negative.
"My plea is that we stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight. I am suggesting that as we go through life, we accentuate the positive. I am asking that we look a little deeper for the good, that we still our voices of insult and sarcasm, that we more generously compliment and endorse virtue and effort." -- Gordon B. Hinckley
Journal Prompt:
In your Gratitude Journal, draw two columns. On the left side write the word "Positive" and on the right side write the word "Negative".
Throughout the day, make a tally mark in each column every time you catch yourself feeling or expressing one of the two emotions.
At the end of the day you will be able to see which way you are tipping the scale in your life. Are you "seeking out the storms" or "enjoying more fully the sunlight"?
If you are 50% or more negative, then you'll want to continue this exercise every day until you tip the scale to the positive.
They say the best way to break a habit is to replace it with a new one. By consciously focusing on gratitude for thirty days, you will be forming a habit that will help you naturally overcome the habit of being negative.
Day 21
Quote:
"One of the best ways we show our gratitude is by blessing the lives of those around us. The blessings that come from opening our arms to others are among the choicest this earth has to offer." -- Joseph B. Wirthlin
Journal Prompt:
Ask yourself this question: "How can I be a blessing in someone's life today?"
It doesn't need to be a huge service project. Too often we miss out on opportunities to do good because we are looking for something big to do before we act. The little acts of kindness are often the ones that have the greatest impact.
Maybe it means really listening to someone for as long as they want to talk. Or you could offer to babysit for a mom who could use a nap. Perhaps you could surprise your child by showing up at their school for lunch. Or call a grandparent that you haven't talked to in a long time. It could even be something as simple as complimenting the person who checks you out at the store.
The idea is to start connecting with others. Acknowledge them, smile, listen, and express gratitude for their influence in your life.
"One of the best ways we show our gratitude is by blessing the lives of those around us. The blessings that come from opening our arms to others are among the choicest this earth has to offer." -- Joseph B. Wirthlin
Journal Prompt:
Ask yourself this question: "How can I be a blessing in someone's life today?"
It doesn't need to be a huge service project. Too often we miss out on opportunities to do good because we are looking for something big to do before we act. The little acts of kindness are often the ones that have the greatest impact.
Maybe it means really listening to someone for as long as they want to talk. Or you could offer to babysit for a mom who could use a nap. Perhaps you could surprise your child by showing up at their school for lunch. Or call a grandparent that you haven't talked to in a long time. It could even be something as simple as complimenting the person who checks you out at the store.
The idea is to start connecting with others. Acknowledge them, smile, listen, and express gratitude for their influence in your life.
Day 20
Quote:
"Feeling grateful is the main cause of sustained joy. Focusing on the gifts one has been given is an antidote to envy, resentment, regret and other negative states that undermine long-term happiness."
Journal Prompt:
Today focus on the gifts that you have been given throughout your life. Try to really feel the emotion of gratitude and stay immersed in that feeling for as long as you can. Write about your experience in your Gratitude Journal.
The next time you start to feel envy, resentment, regret, or any other negative emotion, get out your journal and get back into the feeling of gratitude.
"Feeling grateful is the main cause of sustained joy. Focusing on the gifts one has been given is an antidote to envy, resentment, regret and other negative states that undermine long-term happiness."
Journal Prompt:
Today focus on the gifts that you have been given throughout your life. Try to really feel the emotion of gratitude and stay immersed in that feeling for as long as you can. Write about your experience in your Gratitude Journal.
The next time you start to feel envy, resentment, regret, or any other negative emotion, get out your journal and get back into the feeling of gratitude.
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