Today I am grateful for ___

I love reading old journal entries and learning which things have changed and which things have not. One constant has been gratitude. I often do these exercises where I challenge myself to take on the "attitude of gratitude" by writing the above prompt and writing until I feel overwhelmed by the feeling. Most of the time, I experience tears or a heavy sigh followed by a weightless feeling. It's like hitting a reset button and returning to center. It's acknowledging the divine and saying thanks to God/the creator/our source/your personal idea of the great being that makes all life possible for all that is good and wonderful. It's necessary and a reality check in the sense that you're choosing to build your reality around things worth focusing on.

So why am I sharing all of this? I've typed a handwritten, completed exercise below as an example because I hope to share a lifesaving activity that I believe can and will bless your life. I began this practice as a kid. It rescued me from suicidal thoughts, feelings of worthlessness, and helps me to cultivate positive energy. I'm happier, more loving, more thoughtful, more emotionally intelligent, more intentional, and a more resilient person because of this therapy. I encourage you to read this post without the bias that we sometimes wear like sunglasses, blocking the light. Beyond this, I want you to use my expressions to engage with your thoughts, write them down/type them, not necessarily to be shared with anyone else, but accessible for future reflection. Allow the thoughts you discover to inform your actions and empower you to achieve a greater reality where gratitude is prominent. Begin with "Today I am grateful for..." Here's an entry from recent time.

September 29, 2018

Today I am grateful for:

Meditation. It's a journey without a destination. It continues to heal me. I read somewhere that it's "the journey through the self to the self." It's beautiful realizing that there is more to learn about ourselves and the world around us each day, each moment even. Meditation thrusts you firmly into the present moment, allowing you to become keenly aware of the details often missed. Those are things worth savoring.

My home. This place is such a refuge. It keeps me well-rested, sheltered, protected. Has plenty of space and our community is safe and calm.

My truck. Ya-Ya is so reliable. She gives me no trouble besides a broken antenna that screeches and sounds often constantly now. That will be easily fixed someday soon.

Water. It's so simple and perfect. I've been noticing the immediate effect to has on my body, especially if I neglect to hydrate.

Writing. It is my favorite way to express myself and gives me a true release and boundless pleasure. I don't know where my mind would be without the companionship of a pen, paper, or a computer to realize my thoughts and record my evolution.

My nieces and nephews. I don't spend nearly enough time with them, even when we lived in the same city I didn't and I now know what I'm missing out on. I look forward to changing that in as the responsible adult in the situation.

This blog. It's real. It's mine. It's growing and changing as I nurture it. It challenges me. It motivates me. It needs me and I need it. It's a reciprocal relationship.

My mom. She has had a lot of reasons to make excuses and throw in the towel, but she is brave and resilient. I'm grateful for her example and transparency. I know about many of her successes and failures and lessons learned and I will continue to carry that knowledge with me.

My body. The only limits this body has are the ones I place on it. It has no limits to its strength or its abilities to protect and heal. It is sacred, vocal when malnourished/neglected. It is impatient when led astray. My diet has to change because this body has suffered. More water. More love. More grace.

Greenery and foliage. There are trees all around me. It's my natural inkling to experience nature. The sun. The shade. The fragrant breezes, the clean(er) air provided by plants; all of it has enriched my life. The squirrels, the tree frog, the bees, the ants, the lizards, the redbirds. The pine cones, the crunchy, fallen leaves, the flowers, the mossy patches the roots, strong that they've broken up concrete. The reminder that we are one with nature.

The sounds of happy childhoods. Hearing small children at play. Scooters and bikes leaning against walls and rails. The sounds of them shouting to each other, only standing 10 feet apart, their laughter, their whisperings, the thunderous stampede of their tiny feet. The dirty tennis shoes and bare feet running wild.

Meditation Soundtracks. The waves and frequencies. The Tibetan Bowls. The nature sounds, especially of tides crashing against a shore. The soothing sound of rain on dry days/nights. The deep sleep it sends me into. The ability to get lost, forget where you are, even that "you are ___" *something supposedly finite. With earbuds in, the volume up, eyes closed, body laying flat on the carpet with only a pillow for support. Instant slice and great peace. I hear playing in my mind, easily recalled from my memory. The feelings of peace and grounding are readily accessible.

Old photos. They are artifacts and beautiful representations of moments possibly forgotten but quickly summoned back with this visual quote. These old photos are connections to loved ones who've moved on to another city or realm, but reminders that once upon a time, we shared something valuable. Even challenging the notion of time; shared again becomes sharing. It's as if the yesteryear is now and there is no separation. There is only the love and energy in motion that can not be recreated or destroyed. A hug, a smile, some inside jokes, and other sweet things. Just by seeing them, you're flooded with it all and overwhelmed by something intangible. The photos of relatives I've never met help to fill the gaps in my heritage and humanize my ancestors.

Fresh vegetables and fruits. The instant boost of energy. The water content. The life they give. The connection to vitality. The satisfaction experienced by body, mind, and spirit.

My growth. At times I don't quite know where I hope to be, lacking specific direction. Sometimes, I only know the feelings I want my life to bring myself and those around me. There is so much more to be done. I feel I've only scratched the surface of my life's joy, purpose, intentions. I am proud of myself for overcoming past struggles and for becoming more optimistic.

*Let me know if you already journal about this and have this as a regular practice. If you'd never completed this exercise before, let me know how you felt afterward. I've excited to learn what effect this has on you as a treasured member of the TTBD Community! We are doing the important work of cultivating a more loving world for everyone's benefit. Keep the conversation going in the comments section.

ALSO, make sure to check my recent Vlog from the YouTube Channel, "Thoughtful Dozen." Be sure to subscribe, like and comment on the content there.

Thanks for reading.