Mommy Finger, Baby Finger

I have to be honest here.

I have many, many journals I’ve kept over the years. My daughter and I joke that someday, when I’m no longer on this earth, she’ll have access to all my secrets – all my “good stuff.”

Journaling has truly changed my life. For me, this typically happens early in the morning before the sun is out and while the house is still quiet. Other times, it’s after a long day while sipping a cup of warm, chamomile tea. Over the past couple of years, my journal entries have had one thing in common: they start with a gratitude list. Writing a gratitude list helps me discover and focus on the joy and beauty in my life. Check out my journal here.

Recently, the holidays have triggered some anxiety for me and I’m trying my best to be cheerful, but sometimes it’s just hard. I know it’s hard to feel grateful when things aren’t going that well. It does take extra effort to stop and express your gratitude, especially when you aren’t feeling your best.

Our brains are not naturally designed to seek happiness. Instead, they professional danger scanners. In other words, we are wired to seek protection and safety.

The good news is that gratitude is something you can develop and improve. The simplest way to rewire your brain for positive thinking is to take the time to reflect, be grateful, and be aware of the positive things in your life. It’s all about changing your focus.

I know for me, when I feel that being a single mom is a burden, I get cranky and irritated. Learning how to be grateful is one of the most important things I’ve learned in my life. So, my suggestion is to keep a gratitude journal, where you can physically record events, experiences, people and things that brought you joy.

Even more than that, journaling regularly can bring clarity when your world feels like chaos. I look at my writing time as my relaxation time. I look forward to it because I know it’s part of me honoring my mind, body and emotions.

I started journaling very early on in life to express myself through writing. This practice changed how I experienced each day. In reading several books on success and self-development and doing my own research, I came across the idea of writing a list of three things I’m grateful for each day (big or small) … and you know what I found? There’s so much to be grateful for even on my hardest days.

Gratitude is like soul food. When you are constantly reminding yourself of what you have to be happy for, you will feel warmth, comfort and light.

Sometimes gratitude looks like ….

• Going for run during my lunch hour
• Laughing so hard with my daughter
• Having a cozy bed to sleep in
• A clean house
• The love in a hug
• Quality time with people I love

When you believe something is missing from your life, you start spiraling down to doubt, anxiety and worry. When you’re not OK with where you are in life, you can feel dissatisfied. Gratitude is about simplicity.

It’s not happy people who are thankful. It’s thankful people who are happy.