Gratitude Journal??

[KarlaB]

Not sure if this is the right topic area or not...

Has anyone read Sarah Ban Breathnach's book, "Simple Abundance" and done the gratitude journal? If so, has it impacted your life and how? I started reading the book and doing the journal Jan.1 and I love it. I had the book for over a year and wanted to start fresh at the beginning of a new year. I love ending the day by reflecting and focusing on the positive parts of each day. Also, if you do the journal, how long have you been doing it??

[Sarah]

I got the book gosh...3 years ago, and actually need to refresh my memory.

It is really an attitude adjustment..I think you get so focused on the negative it is hard to see the little things you have to be grateful for. I admit at first it was hard for me to think of the five good things, but I think overall it has really helped me.

I don't journal it anymore, but I do it internally when I am stressed..I think of things I am grateful for (kids that can talk to be yelling, a house to live in that can get dirty, a husband who has a job even if he comes home late...)

It makes you focus on the larger picture I think.

I loved her quotes on each page (most of them) and still keep quotes that move me.

I think it begins to get you more in touch with your spiritual (not just religious) side.

LOL how is that for a forever post!

:p Sarah

[Mickey]

I just bought the book and read 4 days in January so far and I don't know if I can take 365 days of terms like "tapestry of contentment" and sentences like, "Pick up the needle with me and make the first stitch on the canvas of your life." LOL! 8\ Seriously...that is way too fluffy and flowery for me! Maybe it just has to do with my frame of mind right now, but I'll definitely need to work hard getting past all that and figuring out what the heck she's actually trying to say. ;)

[AnnW]

I think the idea of a gratitude journal is a wonderful idea. I sort of do the same thing with a prayer/blessings journal. I think it is important to focus on all the blessing we have been given rather than the heartaches. BUT, I was not a big fan of the book...it was too flowery, the power is in yourself, touchy feely for me.

[KarlaB]

I have kind of been slacking lately as far as reading the book and focused more on journaling each night. I just felt like I was starting to let little things get to me and that I needed to start being better about letting those things go and focusing on what is good in my life. So far I think it is helping. I sometimes found myself feeling irritated by little things and now I *try* to stop and think - "I am lucky to have two little kids hanging on my leg 24/7 even if they are whining because some people can't even have kids." Okay, so that is one of my extreme days LOL, but I do try to just look for more positives. ITA Sarah with what you wrote. I, too, have found myself at a loss some nights as to what to even write, but some days it really is the little things. Mickey, I also have another one of her books that goes along with this book and I put that one away - seemed like too much effort to find my "authentic self"!! LOL! :)
edited to add: Ann- we must have been posting at the same time! :) I agree with you, too! I know a friend who swears the gratitude journal helped her thru the death of her dh.

[Edited by KarlaB on 02-13-2001 at 02:08 PM]

[Mickey]

Originally posted by KarlaB
Mickey, I also have another one of her books that goes along with this book and I put that one away - seemed like too much effort to find my "authentic self"!! LOL! :)

UGH! I just find that so tough to swallow! LOL!

Karla, I started reading a book by Richard Carlson (he wrote "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff and it's All Small Stuff) and it's called "You Can Feel Good Again". Hokey title, but it's all about how being happy is a state of mind and he explains how you can control your thought patterns and prevent negative thinking. Similar concept to the gratitude journal, but much more matter of fact and way nicer to read. He says that everyone thinks that when they achieve or attain a particual thing, THEN they will be truly happy, but that is just postponing happiness. He says happiness is a journey, not a destination.

One of my favorite quotes is one in his Don't Sweat the Small Stuff book. It was in the chapter about worrying and he quotes Mark Twain as saying, "I've been through some horrible things in my life...some of which actually happened." and I just thought that was so funny! I used to worry a lot and I try to think about that when I catch my mind wondering into worrying about things I have no control over.

[beth c]

I have the gratitude journal but not the Simple Abundance book. I enjoy the journal and I do feel like it helps to concentrate on the positive. I will have to look for the Richard Carlson book sounds like its more my style.

[KarlaB]

Mickey - I'll have to look for the book you mentioned. I love reading when I can find the time!! It sounds like it may be a little more down to earth and not so "out there"! :) ITA with what you wrote about happiness - that it is a journey - not a destination. What a nice positive thought! Thanks!! And, if only we could all let go of things that we worry about that we have no control over. Wouldn't life be much easier?? :)