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| June 24, 2012 |
There's a little something I do that makes me happy. I thought I'd share it with you today. It seems a Saturday sort of thing to do.
I started a private blog about a year ago. I don't think anyone knows about it, well, anyone besides my husband. It is used for only one thing. Whenever I think of it I write a post listing a few items I am thankful for. I don't insist on a daily post. There isn't any pressure.
When I remember to post, I simply jot down the first few good things in my life that come to mind. Those things needn't be special to anyone but me. It's a great way to pause and appreciate the life I have and it is wonderful to look back at the string of thankful posts, especially on those not-so-fun days.
For instance:
Sunday
Homemade kimchi fried rice.
Little vases bursting with fresh herbs.
The Three Cornered World.
If you do anything similar, or start anything similar, tell me about it.
Enjoy today.
Best,
Denise
What a fabulous idea, Denise! It's just like a gratitude journal... only better because you can post pretty pictures if you like.
ReplyDeleteUnlike my space here, I never post images. I suppose it is another way of keeping it simple. Perhaps I'll change that aspect. It might be a nice addition.
DeleteI have something similar - although it's more of a written list in a book - but simple like that. Words, phrases, vague sort of memories from the day
ReplyDeleteI love this post - how it's written, by the way;)
I like your version, Jaime. It's funny that I don't write mine down in a book. I am quite a pencil and journal type, saving many bits and pieces of my life in my physical journals. Any way we do it, I think it is nice to have a way to save these precious moments.
DeleteDenise: i have a wire bound tiny CVS journal next to my bed, and it sit right there, really close, accessible, so whenever I think of something I am grateful for I can write it in there. No fuss, no fancy, just a half pencil or old pen to mark the words down. I like reading back through it when i feel the sky is about to fall. I like your digital version (although i don't think i would have the same discipline).
ReplyDeleteAh, next to the bed. Good place, Amelia. I always think of things when waking or just before falling asleep.
DeleteMe too. Just a plain brown composition book. I began a year ago February and wish I had begun much sooner. In this instance, better late than never is true. A gentle reminder of all the grace in my life. I number them.
ReplyDelete277. Lenten Rose
278. Cream of celery and apple soup
298. Rickety-crickety old grandma climbing into the top bunk to read a book to a toothless six-year-old.
I like the idea of those numbers growing larger and larger as life goes on. 298. is quite wonderful.
DeleteMy list isn't written down. Instead I find little happiness lists come to me at odd times. I wish though I had written them down because those simple sentences that you've written take on the potency of a haiku. I'm inspired and particularly love the private blog side of it all. Rather than jottings all over my different notebooks, a little home for happiness! To turn to on those not-so-fun days, as you say. Thank you for a wonderful idea.
ReplyDeleteI do like imagining your happiness jottings all around, Kate. Perhaps they could be collected in a happiness box--an analog private blog.
Deletewhat a good thing to do. mine are randomly jotted down in different notebooks, but remain uncollected. I lack the discipline (or devotion) to make this a daily practice.I like the idea of keeping the journal bedside, to write down whatever stirred gratitude.
ReplyDeletetoday, it brings to mind Nora Ephron's lists of what she'll miss, (and what she won't)
You prompted me to find Nora Ephron's lists. Now there are a few tears, but I'm happy to have read them, and glad we agree on pie.
Deletefantastic! i had a notebook for this a few years back, and once it filled up, the habit fell by the wayside. thanks for the reminder to get started again!
ReplyDeleteIt might be fun to take a browse through your few years back version. Enjoy your new beginning, Liz.
DeleteGreat idea. I think I would do this low-tech like Amelia, just to feel the pencil on the paper. (Something I do so rarely anymore)
ReplyDeleteI think this would help perk up my mood sometimes. Not sure what happens, the heat, the extra weight of pregnancy, the hormones have been leaving me a little less than pleasant lately! Gotta change that. Thanks for the reminder!
Pencil on paper is a craving of mine, so going low-tech like Amelia seems a good idea. I'd surely have to go that route if I didn't do so with much of my other writing. I hope it perks up your mood, but don't forget that heat and extra weight and changing hormones are things that would leave us all feeling a little grumpy. Take care.
DeleteA lovely idea, Denise, and the accumulating entries will be, in some sense, yourself, or your happiest self.
ReplyDeleteI like that perspective, Mise. Knowing I'm a small percentage kimchi fried rice pleases me.
DeleteI love this photo! I find that my photos serve as my diary of gratitude. A quick phone snap or a SLR shot, either way it's marked a point in time for me. When I look back on the photo I'm immediately taken back to that moment of appreciation.
ReplyDeleteYes. There are definitely moments I feel would be lost if they hadn't been photographed. I have so many childhood photos, as well as more recent, that trigger larger memories.
DeleteI think this is a wonderful idea. The things I'm grateful for usually end up being turned into long pieces of writing, rather than lists. I think it's because I already have too many lists on my desk and computer. Or maybe we just all have our personal way of expressing this.
ReplyDeleteThose long pieces are wonderful for taking us back to a detailed place in time. I'd like to have more of them. And I agree, we all have our preferred personal means of expression.
DeleteI love the idea and practice of cultivating happiness and I love a good list too! I've got diaries aplenty dating back to my childhood years but they were more often than not a catalogue of drama rather than joy. I think I might need to give your approach a try. Abundant herbs make me happy too:)
ReplyDeleteI wish I still had my childhood journals.
DeleteMy past and present journals are combinations of silly drama I look back at and shrug, drama that is more real and has me applauding myself for getting through, and, of course, the fun stuff.
I love this idea. One of my blogging friends does the same kind of thing in a paper journal. I said I would try it but haven't yet - maybe tonight is a good time to start!
ReplyDeletexo
cortnie
I hope you find it gratifying, Cortnie.
DeleteI have, off and on, kept a gratitude journal. What I do on a more consistent basis is not allow myself to go to sleep without a positive image and thought in my mind. I let go of work, stress, things to do, and focus my inner self on something I enjoy or some nice little thing I am happy about.
ReplyDeleteOf course, so wise and so simple, yet I do not specifically do this, as habit. Even though it is 6:38 AM, I'm going for a little practice positive image run, to begin my day. Thanks, kate.
DeleteThat's a lovely idea and an inspiring post!
ReplyDeleteJust today I read an article about living beyond 100 on BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-18613263) and many of the centenarians mentioned enjoyment and optimism as their tips for longer lives well lived.
Thanks, Mojca. I enjoyed the article.
DeleteWhen I started blogging, I began to write random thoughts and ideas in a spiral-bound book. I now also carry a small notebook in my handbag and find myself writing in it more often than not. I've never journaled my gratitude, but try everyday to acknowledge what I am grateful for.Nice post and nice responses.
ReplyDeleteThe acknowledging seems the important part.
DeleteI like the responses here too. It is inspiring to read all of the various perspectives on the topic.
Each day I take a photograph of something I love, or something that just looking at gives me joy. It can be early morning sunlight falling across a bowl of fruit on my kitchen table, or a vignette of objects randomly found around my home, a tree while on my walk, a friend who stops by, a page out of a magazine...things that are part of my life.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful practice, Teresa.
Delete"Little vases bursting with fresh herbs" - this is exactly the theme of my life here and now.
ReplyDeleteI hope you are enjoying those little bursts, Olga.
Deletesuch a lovely idea - when i have had a bad or trying day, or am just feeling blue, i think of five things i'm thankful for just before going to sleep. i have always thought about writing them down, but have never quite managed it... i like your idea of a private blog...
ReplyDeleteI believe it's the thought that's most important, Annie. You've got it covered.
DeleteYou always inspire me.
ReplyDeleteSo nice to read this, Lecia. Thank you.
Deletethis is a beautiful idea. i love it. thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Nicole. You are welcome.
Deletewhat a wonderful idea. a simple way to keep your eye on the good things in life no matter if small or big.
ReplyDeleteBoth can be equally gratifying, right?
Deletegreat idea, denise.
ReplyDeletei am thankful you are here in this blog space.