A Gratitude Journal for Relationships

Here’s a simple and fun way to put some time and attention into your relationship…

We all seem to have way too many priorities, activities, and tasks these days. That doesn’t leave a whole lot of space and time for many couples who are trying to meet their individual commitments. So, the relationship takes a back seat to all the other priorities tugging at their sleeves. A gratitude journal for couples is a simple and fun way to focus on each other and put some energy into your relationship.

My husband and I are doing a 30 day relationship gratitude journal. We each have a small pad we use to list three things we appreciate about one another, each day. It’s been fun and here’s why:

• We get to look for things to appreciate all day long. Not that we didn’t appreciate one another beforehand but now it’s as if we are shinning a spotlight on our appreciation.
• We get to share a moment of realization when we catch each other appreciating us for something. And, every once and awhile my husband will say, with a big grin, ”that’s going on the list!”
• I do believe that I am smiling more. 
• I am feeling love for my hubby more often throughout the day. 
• I think I like him even more than before and I LOVE the feeling of appreciating him and the things he does.

All of this and it's only taking us a couple of minutes a day.

When married couples have lived with one another for a number of years, it becomes easy to take some of what they do for granted. We may begin to overlook the little things we originally found charming or delightful and those things just become part of everyday life together.  A couple’s gratitude journal is a wonderful way to experience more appreciation for one another and to add a spark to the relationship. Whether you keep a journal on your own or the two of you go through the process together, there are benefits for both you and the relationship.

Instead of using separate journals you might prefer to share one journal and write on opposite pages. That way when you are writing your appreciations you get to see how much you are appreciated.

Any relationship can be improved with gratitude. This type of gratitude journal can also be helpful for...siblings, mothers and daughters, business partners, etc.

We are almost at the end of our 30 day journal and I know I will want to continue. Try this for yourself, for thirty days, and see how it benefits your relationship.

I Am Grateful: Past, Present, and Future

There are so many things to be grateful for in my past, my present, and the future.

The Past: When I look at the past, I can choose what to focus on. I can choose what defines me. I may select painful memories and give them life in the present rather than letting them go. I may choose to focus on the many blessings of my past, and be thankful for them. Whether I deem any point in my history to be good or bad, a blessing or a curse, a positive or a negative, everyone of those moments have helped shaped me and brought me to where I am today. So, I have much to be thankful for in my past.

The Present: As I look around me, to the many gifts of my present day life, I have much to be thankful for. I have a family I love, a home that supplies shelter, redwood trees outside, a dog to cuddle with, creative outlets, a laptop computer, a washer and dryer, running water, food to eat, joy in my heart, and so much more. Are there difficulties? Yes. Do they negate all the positives? No. I have many reasons to smile throughout the day and I take the opportunity to do so. I am so very thankful for all that I have and the wonderfully gifted moments throughout any given day.

The Future: When I think of the future I get an inner flutter of excitement about the unfolding future and the possibilities of openings, surprises, and wonderful delights ahead. This is not to say I don't ever worry...I do. But there is so much to be thankful for in the future. I like to give thanks for all the gifts in store for me, for the possibilities, and benefits. If I am hoping for something in the future, I give thanks for it manifesting in my life, as if it has already happened or it's on the way.

Giving thanks for the past, present, and future doesn't deny the difficulties of life. The question is...Why deny all the gifts of life, and all there is to be thankful for, by allowing the painful moments to take center stage?

What are you grateful for today?

Ask, Receive, Thanks

It seems like a simple three step process. Ask for what you want to have in your life, then make sure to be open to receive what you have asked for, and finally express gratitude for what you have received. Yep, it may be a simple process but how often do we forget to ask the universe for what we want?

Do we fail to ask because we don't know what we want or are we afraid we don't deserve it? Maybe we haven't stopped to think about what we would love to create in our lives or don't believe it's possible?  Today I am encouraging you to ask and be willing to receive.

Years ago, I read something in a book about asking for the essence of what you want rather than what you think you want. At the time, I really wanted to be able to move to a small house in a location I had picked out and loved. After spending time determining the true essence of what I was looking for, it was quite clear to me that, among other things, I really wanted some property to be able to plant a garden. So I asked for it. Within a couple of days, my landlord said that she was not going to be able to use her entire garden that year and if I wanted to use half her garden I was invited to do so. Wow!! I planted a fabulous garden and I was filled with gratitude and love for being given this opportunity.

Ever since then, I try to remember to determine the essence of what I would like to create in my life. In other words, rather than asking for a new job so you can spend more time with the family, ask for the ability to spend more time with the family. You never know how it will unfold in your life.

When asking for what they want, many people would choose to ask for more money. How much money? What is the money for? Instead of a vague request for money, try asking for the essence of what you would like to do with that money. Are you wishing for the ability to travel or do you need or want a new car? Would you like it to be easier to buy groceries to feed your family, pay your bills, or do you want to feel more financially secure?

And don't forget to give thanks when you get what you've requested. Gratitude for what we have really does attract more to be grateful for.

Welcome to The Gratitude Habit Journal Blog

I am super psyched to share this new blog with you. It is dedicated to GRATITUDE as it's primary focus. Here you will find articles, images, links and all things related to making gratitude a habit.

Up until now, all of my gratitude posts have been included on the Shared Easel blog and on The Gratitude Habit Facebook page. My goal is to continue using the Shared Easel for my artwork and other creative projects.

The first few posts on this blog will be coming directly from the Shared Easel blog and over to the right you can find links to some of the most popular gratitude posts as well.

So, welcome to the new home of The Gratitude Habit Journal.