How many of you are familiar with a gratitude journal? Don’t be alarmed if you don’t have an answer
because when my husband told me about it several months ago, I didn’t have a
clue.
I know about journaling because I’ve always enjoyed putting pen to paper.
At that particular time, I was frustrated with myself and so many other things. Worse I wasn’t feeling very thankful for much of anything.
Let me rephrase that. I was thankful in my heart, but my mind and body felt tired. I wasn’t in a state of “giving up” but I was in a state of “maybe I shouldn’t care so much.”
That’s not a good place to be and Robert recognized it right away.
One of the things that I love about him is that he is brutally honest, and he doesn’t sugar coat anything.
Driving Back Home
So, one day we were driving back home after looking at land. He told me, “I hardly ever tell you what to do, it’s not my
place.”
I cut him off and said, well it sort of is “your place” especially if you think I’m going over a cliff. We chuckled and that’s when he asked me, what was good about today?
Just one thing whatever it may be… I sat in the truck in silence…
Then I shouted out something incredibly meaningless to anyone else, but it meant something to me, and it felt really good to share.
He then told me; I think it would be a really good idea if you started a gratitude journal. Write something every day and share the details from that moment.
I was blown away and honestly a little “miffed” at first, but I looked at him and said you know what, I recently purchased a new notebook, and I will do just that.
But let me be perfectly honest, I don’t write every day because sometimes I forget. I do however make a conscious effort because this journal has been a game changer.
Sharing a Recent Entry
More importantly I want to share my entry from June
28, 2022. I’m currently reading a neat book, by John C Maxwell. He’s one
of my favorite authors; I’ve read several of his books over the past 15 years.
In particular there was an assignment
on “Purpose” where you're supposed to answer 5 questions. My answers were to tell me if they line up with the purpose or goals I'm striving towards.
I was a little nervous about doing this exercise because I have a lot going on right now and thought, “what if my answers don’t line up?” I quickly ignored that because fear is toxic. With trust, I allowed God to guide me to be brutally honest as I took pen to paper.
The Questions & Answers:
- Talent – What do you do well? “I write and use words well in print.
- Desire -What do you want to do? “To lift people up, offer hope and be able to share all God has blessed me with to do that.”
- Recognition -What do others say you do well? “Other's compliment my art, my writing style, speaking ability, my light is mentioned often.
- Results – What do you do that has a productive return? “When I’m bold, share my heart and I'm honest with people, they often act, and the results are good.
- Growth – What do you do that you can keep getting better at doing? “I read more than I ever use to. Quality reading and that includes my bible. Prayer and trust also fall into this.
When I finished answering those questions, I just sort of
sat in motion and wasn’t sure what to make of my words. It felt really good to get it out on paper and then I
sat there thinking more about my responses. Especially the first one
because I’ve been blessed with so many gifts. Sometimes it haunts me because I’m not sure that I’m using them or living up to what
is expected.
But when I looked at "Desire" it became clear that over time, I have used those gifts a lot and at different times. There is no doubt that I will continue.
When I looked at the final three, specifically "Growth" it was clear who is directing my life and who is leading my path.
Robert tells me often that it is impossible to have any negative emotions while being grateful.
I found such peace in this exercise. I wanted to hug my husband for telling me to start this, “Gratitude Journal” but I had to wait until he got home from work.
I have always been a person who wears many hats, I have also been a person who is highly judged for the choices I make because I don’t follow the crowd. Being a follower is overrated y'all. My advice is to be the person God has called you to be.
-Carole