Gratitude

I started a new practice in March that has been really helpful for me. I have a gratitude journal. It is a different practice from my regular journal, which gets used mostly when I am feeling more negative - sad, angry, frustrated. Instead, I try to write in my gratitude journal every day. I write something positive. My daily practice is generally very simple. One phrase or sentence. My gratitude journal was initially started because I was feeling very down - and I knew that I actually have a lot to be very thankful for, if I just thought about it. I wonder if after some time (it's only been three months now) I'll be able to find some themes that will help guide me towards "what I really, really want." Some samples of my journal... I am grateful for conversation. I am grateful that my sister is happy. I am grateful for my friends. They are wonderful and I could not be doing anything without them right now. I am grateful for good food. I am grateful that I feel independent! I took my first solo bus ride all the way across the city! I am grateful for solitude. I am grateful for the colors of the sunset. And the view that I have of my living room of the sunset. And walking to the beach to see the sunset into the water. I am grateful for biking with friends. I am grateful for the ocean. It is a calming force on a difficult day. I am grateful for the smell of clean laundry. I am grateful for my ability to speak in front of a group of people. I am grateful for the renewal and growth of springtime. I am grateful that Ifeel like I belong. I am grateful for my physical endurance. I got lost today and a 30 minute run turned into 2h30min. I am grateful for my Mom. I am grateful for really, really good sleep. I am grateful for the kindness of strangers. I am grateful for my own ballsy-ness. I am grateful for music and dancing. I am grateful for the beautiful flowers on my walk to the coffee shop.