Planning on Giving “Gratitude” a Try?

Do it today.

“Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance.” — Eckhart Tolle

I’m no saint.

I believe in the value of gratitude, but I’m not always grateful. I haven’t put in the effort to be grateful this year. I’ve let myself become angry.

On many occasions, I took the easy path in a year where everything went wrong. It was easy to find triggers. Pandemic, lockdowns, curfews… loss of freedom, change of plans… the list is long.

But I also know, gratitude is a choice.

Over the years I’ve practiced being grateful. I would journal three to five points each day. It’s a beautiful practice that I lost for most of 2020.

Yet on the first day of 2021, I couldn’t go without being grateful for the year that passed.

For the past four years, I have journaled a gratitude list for the year that passed and set goals for the new year.

• It helps me reflect on the major highlights.
• It helps me remember the beautiful moments.
• It helps me be grateful and start with a positive and optimistic note for the new year.

So I did journal my list of gratitude for 2020. I came up with 15 points, many of which revolved around good health.

I’m sharing a few of my points with you here to get your creative juices flowing!

Great health of family despite several scares

I’m grateful for our good health — especially my daughter, wife, dad, brother, mother.

It has nothing to do with COVID-19 free. Of course, I’m glad we stayed COVID-free. But I’m grateful because some had major surgeries and others got sick.

All have recovered, thankfully.

I’m grateful for good health.

Becoming a Medium Writer and Editor

I was just going through my bullet journal and found a note I had written back in June. I was happy to be added as a writer on ILLUMINATION and had written my first story!

Four days ago I became an Editor at ILLUMINATION!

I’m grateful for Dr Mehmet Yildiz.

Grateful for a stable job

In a year where a lot of friends lost jobs or stopped getting paid, I still have my job and receiving my full salary.

Yes, there are no raises, but it was a great year in terms of performance.

I’m grateful for a paying stable job.

My daughter loves her pre-school

My 23-month daughter loves her pre-school. She has made friends. She’s learning so much and is happy to be there.

After months of lockdown, this was essential for her emotional and psychological wellbeing.

I’m grateful for great teachers and friends.

Enough about me. What are YOU grateful for?

Play along if you wish: Niru, Tree Langdon, K Ann, Mil H., Liam Ireland, Yohanan Gregorius, Dr Mehmet Yildiz, Maria Rattray, Terry L. Cooper, Ayesha Tariq Terry L. Cooper, Britni Pepper, Dew Langrial, Jennifer Friebely, Zen Chan, Agnes Laurens, Ahmed Jamal, Cristo Lopez, PhD, Dr. Preeti Singh, Holly Kellums, Kristina Segarra, Audrey Malone, janny’s heart, Sabana Grande, Lanu Pitan, Selma, Thewriteyard, Desiree Driesenaar, Haimish Mead, Ntathu Allen, Stuart Englander, Neha Sandhir S, The Maverick Files, Joe Luca