Living in a state of gratitude is the gateway of grace. – Arianna Huffington

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Thought for today – One small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day.

Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! My hope for you today is that you and your family is safe and healthy during this difficult time. This is a great time to share ways to improve gratitude through journaling.

DEFINE JOURNAL & GRATITUDE

Inhale the future, exhale the past. – Unknown Author

First, let’s take a moment to define journal and gratitude.

A journal is a reflection of who you are, it’s a repository for all of the things that interest and inspire you. A journal provides a safe environment to experiment with your writing style and technique. Simply put, when you write in a journal it becomes your personal journey of creative and heart felt thoughts.

Gratitude as the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and return kindness. Simply put, gratitude changes everything. Gratitude is one of the sweet shortcuts to finding peace of mind and happiness inside no matter what you might be going through in life. Gratitude changes the way we start the day, spend the day, and look back on the day. For me, my day always begins and ends with gratitude. How about yours?

AMAZON RESOURCES – GRATITUDE JOURNALS

JOURNALING TO THE NEXT LEVEL

Gratitude is the healthiest of all emotions. – Unknown Author

Now, let’s take journaling to the next level. How about improving gratitude through journaling? After all, journaling is a way to capture ideas and keep your dreams alive until you can put them in motion, right? Ideas can be found all around you. Take a moment and look around you right where you are. Inspiration is not required to knock at your door twice. We have to be ready and willing to do what’s necessary to grow, to learn, and most importantly, to be grateful.

5 TIPS FOR CAPTURING YOUR BEST JOURNAL IDEAS

Stay patient and trust your journey. – Unknown Author

1. Take your journal everywhere you go to capture those special thoughts or moments as they happen. If your journal is too big, you can always buy a small notebook to use while you are on the go. Then, transfer or glue your notes in your journal at a later time.

2. Select a journal that feels right to you. You can purchase a beautifully crafted handmade journal, a hardcover book with unlined pages, a softcover notebook with lined pages, a 3-ring binder with loose paper, or just a spiral notebook. It really doesn’t matter your style, just make sure that your journal feels right to you and you can comfortably use it to capture your thoughts.

3. Handwrite your journal entries so you are unable to edit your thoughts. Handwriting keeps things more spontaneous and also gives you clues about your emotional state. If you’re anything like me, you can tell what you’re feeling just by analyzing the state of your writing.

4. Create an informal table of contents in the beginning of each journal. Number each page and try to list the topics covered as you go along. This makes finding stuff a lot easier down the road or when you just want to reflect on some of your past writings. Don’t worry about doing this each time you journal, but make sure to complete this step before starting your next journal.

5. Don’t worry about format, grammar, or spelling. Remember, this is your personal space and a written account for how you feel right now in this very moment. Don’t worry about following your traditional writing rules, just write.

AMAZON RESOURCES – GRATITUDE JOURNALS

GRATITUDE IS A LIFESTYLE

The most beautiful way to start and end your day is with a grateful heart. – Unknown Author

Moreover, gratitude is a lifestyle that you choose. Overtime, choosing gratitude means choosing joy. It’s a choice that requires constantly renewing of your mind with the truth of God’s Word, setting your heart to inspire others with creativity from within, and disciplining your tongue to speak words that reflect God’s goodness and His grace. Honestly, I believe a grateful spirit, rooted in the soil of God’s goodness and grace, will impact how you view and respond to everything in your life. When gratitude becomes your default setting, life changes in a positive way.

GRATITUDE AFFIRMATION

Today I am grateful for all that I am, all that I have and all that is. – Unknown Author

I am grateful for another opportunity that life offers me on today. I am grateful for a fresh start, a brand- new way of thinking and a positive outlook on life. I am grateful for the fact that I can learn from my mistakes, and then let them go. I am grateful for my mind, body, and spirit functioning in a way to inspire others using encouraging words from the soul. I am grateful to have God as my guide, my supporter, and my protector. I am grateful for my husband, children, close family, friends, and readers like you who offers me support every step of the way. I am grateful just to have another chance to get my life right and back on track.

AMAZON RESOURCE – ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE – POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS

TIPS FOR STARTING A GRATITUDE JOURNAL

Gratitude helps you fall in love with the life you already have. – Unknown Author

A gratitude journal is a diary of things for which one is grateful. Gratitude journals are used by individuals who wish to focus their attention on the positive things in their lives. Start a gratitude journal to include a personal reflection (goals, thoughts, feelings), affirmation, scriptures, poems, quotes, kind gestures (writing notes, letters, or making phone calls). Be creative and honest. This process will change your life in a positive and uplifting way.

Here’s some tips to help you start a gratitude journal:

• Choose a journal or notebook that will inspire you to write. You can purchase a journal or make a it. Some people prefer lined pages and other people prefer unlined pages. It’s up to you.

• Determine when you’ll write. When you want to create a new habit, the easiest thing is to do it together with something you’re already doing in your life. For example, add journaling to your morning or bed time routine. Yes, it is that simple.

• Use journal prompts to help you get the most from your journaling experience. When you use different journal prompts, you will quickly learn which gives you the best feeling and inspire you to change. Note – I include journal prompts at the end of each blog post.

• Connect with the emotion. When you experience that feeling, write down what you’re grateful for and enjoy the feeling of gratefulness. Be open and honest throughout the process.

• Do what works for you. Remember, there are no rules to follow. Try it throughout this difficult time and I am sure you will not be disappointed.

JOURNAL PROMPTS

All good things come from gratitude. – Unknown Author

Journaling is a powerful way to process events in your life, build self-awareness, get more clarity, and keep yourself on track. Journaling also allows for past reflection, future insight, and present surrender. Keep in mind that this is a journey. Everyone takes their own path. Ready, set, write!

• What did I learn about myself this week?

• What is a simple pleasure that I’m grateful for?

• What do I want to accomplish in my life today? tomorrow? next week? next month?

• What has been going well in my life lately?

• How can I create more acceptance in my life?

• What mistake or failure am I grateful for?

• How have I been holding myself back?

• How can I take a step forward?

• What is something that I’m grateful to have today that you didn’t have a year ago?

So, grab your journal or notebook. Then, write your ideas so you’re able to retrieve your thoughts whenever needed. Your journal holds all of your pertinent life information so you can remember and reference at any time in your future. Remember, you shape your world for success even through difficult times like these. Begin to imagine and dream. Don’t be afraid of goal setting and planning. Have courage to move in a positive direction toward your personal growth and advancement. Forever be grateful for each and every day! Peace and blessings!

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!

Affiliate Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you purchase through any of the links (at no additional cost to you).

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