Week 2 - People: Weekly Gratitude Journal Prompts

Week 2: People

"Be thankful for every person in your life, past, present and future cause they will make you stronger, kinder, wiser and they are the people that make you who you are today."
by Levita Charin

The focus of this week's list of gratitude prompts is on the people in our lives. Many people have played a role in shaping who we are today. We can be thankful for those who have loved, supported, mentored, and encouraged us, for those who have challenged us, taught us, been our friends, and added to the quality of life. The people who have made life a bit more difficult have helped us to develop personal strengths of character of which we can be grateful.

Gratitude Quote: Steve Maraboli

“Forget yesterday - it has already forgotten you. Don't sweat tomorrow - you haven't even met. Instead, open your eyes and your heart to a truly precious gift - today.”  ~ Steve Maraboli

Instead of spending time reviewing the events of the past, or focusing attention on future days, look to the here and now. Today is all we have. The present moment is the gift we have before us and it is our choice to embrace all that we have, right now.

Week 1-The Basics: Weekly Gratitude Journal Prompts

Week 1: The Basics

This is the first in a ten week series of posts with 7 daily gratitude journal prompts in each. You can find them here every week between now and the start of the New Year. Each week will have a different theme and it seemed to make sense to begin with "The Basics." I've listed only of the basics of life here today but can think of several others. What else might you add?

Visual Gratitude - December 2014

Visual Gratitude Journal for the Month of December 2014

It's a new year and my gratitudes for December reflected the feelings that come up as one year closes and the next is anticipated.

I ended 2014 with strong positive feelings for 2015... lots of optimism, a sense of infinite possibilities filled with light. I was excited and looking forward to the new year. I wasn't trying to rush through the last days of the year, but I definitely was more excited about the start of this year than I can remember feeling in prior years.

Here's some of what filled my painted gratitude journal for the month of December:

• The comforts of home as the weather gets colder: hot tea on a cool day, the ability to heat water for tea, being able to heat the house, the smell of home baked breads, muffins and cookies, wood burning stove, warm blankets, and Spring-like days in late Fall and Winter.
• The basics: clothes to wear, having shoes, a roof, sight, hearing, a bed.
• Everyday gifts of life: books, exposure to new things, a working refrigerator, a great dog, to name a few.
• Feel good things: a loving family, the gift of giving, belief and trust.
• The experience of my inner world: clarity, healing, inspiration, letting go, growth experiences.
• and so much more.

Wishing you all a joy-filled, gratitude-filled, and light-filled 2015!!! 

The other monthly gratitude journal images can be found at: Visual Gratitude Journal.

Look for the Good

It's a simple concept...You will find what you are expecting to find in life. If you look for the good in others and in everyday life, that's exactly what you will find. The reverse is true as well. It's your choice.

Our expectations, frame of mind, and attitudes color our world. They help shape what we see and how we experience our life situations. Two people, facing the same ups and downs of life, are likely to see things quite differently based on their individual perspectives.

How would you like to see your world?

Gratitude Quote: Harold Kushner

“If you concentrate on finding whatever is good in every situation, you will discover that your life will suddenly be filled with gratitude, a feeling that nurtures the soul”  ~ Harold S. Kushner

Something good can always be found in any situation, all you have to do is look for it. The more experience you have in doing this, the easier it is to find. Finding the good in difficult situations, as well as in daily life, fosters positive feelings and helps to develop a relationship with gratitude.

Every time you are able to find the good and acknowledge your gratitude you are nourishing your inner world and growing yourself from the inside out.

Visual Gratitude - November 2014

Visual Gratitude Journal for the Month of November 2014

I love the way gratitude is in the air throughout the month of November. With Thanksgiving taking up the rear of the month, gratitude is on the minds of many and seems to become more of a priority in people's lives. During those weeks, it feels as if the world around me becomes a gratitude bubble. I Love It!!

That bubble effect helped support and increase my feelings of appreciation for the many, many good things in life. But on top of that, there was lots to be thankful for in November, particularly the three Thanksgiving dinners we were invited to and attended. Yes, three Thanksgiving celebrations within one week (on three separate days).

We live on the west coast of the U.S., while our families are all on the east coast. So, spending the holiday with good friends is always special and very much appreciated. We are blessed with wonderful friends who we can enjoy spending time with and who make us feel so welcome. 
 
My gratitude journal image for November is filled with non tangible entries such as intuition, peace, and happiness. I felt particularly thankful for the gifts of sharing a world with others: kindness, support, and friendship, the experience of sharing, caring, and compassion, and being able to give and receive love and comfort. I also included appreciation for passion, wonder, and the WOW moments of life; for understanding, wisdom, focus, and so much more. Most of the "things" I was grateful for this past month are not "things" at all.

Hope you had much to be thankful for last month and I wish you a December filled with that which will tickle your fancy and make you smile!

The other monthly gratitude journal images can be found at: Visual Gratitude Journal.