Benefits of Writing in a Gratitude Journal

We live in such a BEAUTIFUL world. Just think about all of the amazing things to see, do, and experience.

Ocean sunsets, mountains, deserts, forests, full moons, animals, rivers, delicious fresh food (and junk food!), family, friends, vacations, theme parks, hiking, surfing, music, love, sleeping, stars, the night sky…

books, art, laughing, learning, doing what you love for a living, having a beautiful home, kids, sports, sex, meditation, making a difference, contribution, caring, camping, praying, writing, poetry, connecting with people, movies, dancing, …

The list happens to go on and on.

At any given moment, we get to choose what we focus on.

If you spend most of your time focusing on the things that are missing from your life, it can lead to pain.

If you spend a large portion of time thinking about things you have no control over, this can also lead to pain.

Want the recipe for true happiness?

Focus on the things you are grateful for in life, and focus on the things you can control (hint: yourself, your actions, your mindset).

Gratitude Journal Exercise

When I coach people who are struggling in life, I have them keep a gratitude journal.

Every morning, before they start the day, they must write out two things they are grateful for. At the end of thirty days, they’ve written down 60 different things they are grateful for.

In studies, this exercise has shown dramatic increases in people’s overall level of happiness and fulfillment in life.

Why?

It directs their focus, and people feel what they focus on.

Writing a list of things you are grateful for not only can increase happiness and decrease stress, but it typically leads to an increase of abundance in your life…so you have even more to be grateful for!

Attitude of Gratitude

Right now I’m grateful for my family and friends, acquaintances, business partners, clients, and everyone else in my life.

I’m also grateful to live in a country where anyone has the ability to create the life of their dreams.

Many other countries don’t have it nearly as good as us.

At least 80% of humanity lives on less than $10 a day.

22,000 children die each day due to poverty. And they “die quietly in some of the poorest villages on earth, far removed from the scrutiny and the conscience of the world. Being meek and weak in life makes these dying multitudes even more invisible in death.

Close to half of all people in developing countries suffering at any given time from a health problem caused by water and sanitation deficits.

Nearly a billion people entered the 21st century unable to read a book or sign their names.

We have it good. So good.

So remember, gratitude is the antidote.

Gratitude is a magnifier. It magnifies other positive emotions.

Practice being Grateful

Gratitude is a form of love. Do you know someone that is always in a grateful state of being? How awesome are they to be around?

Are you one of those people? Let’s hang out haha!

The practice of being in a state of gratitude literally sends quantum energy vibrations into the universe, and you get more of what you’re grateful for.

In this fast-paced age of technology it can be easy to go through the day in a hurry to get everything done.

I encourage each and every one of you reading this to do a 30-day exercise of writing two new things you’re grateful for every morning.

Other fun ways to practice gratitude are journaling in the evening about magic moments that happened during the day, as well as why those moments made you feel grateful.

I like to go for night walks and think about all of the main things I’m grateful for in life, as well as some of the most loving memories I have that I’m truly grateful for.

By the time I’m home from my walk, I feel so amazing and relaxed, and it’s the best feeling in the world.