What's a Gratitude Journal?

I love researching and looking for things, information.  After choosing my "One Little Word"  I entered it into google and played.  In t he back of my mind I remember seeing Oprah clips about keeping a gratitude journal.  I remember you were supposed to write down 5 things every night that you were grateful for.


So I googled "Gratitude Journal".  There were some really good articles.One article I read was "How to Keep a Gratitude Journal".  It gave a few simple steps.  http://www.ehow.com/how_2088881_keep-gratitude-journal.html?ref=f.  Interestingly enough there was another post about keeping a "Gratitude Calendar" - writing intentions.  I need to play with these ideas.


In the back of my mind I kept thinking there had been a book about gratitude on one of the talk shows.  Well I found a clip where Oprah was talking with Sarah Ban Breathnach about her book "Simple Abundance".  A book I have not read.  Now I have two books on my list to read.
http://www.oprah.com/oprahradio/Sarah-Ban-Breathnach-on-Oprahs-Soul-Series-Video_1

The video clip was interesting and told the back-story of how Oprah came to find out about the book.  I enjoyed the clip.  And want to see if I can find the original show that Oprah did about the book "Simple Abundance".


It has always amazed me that when I start to study something it shows up everywhere.  The basic steps that I read about and am planning on trying.


1.  Pick a notebook or journal to write in.


2.  Look for things during the day that I am grateful for.  Make mental notes.  


3.  Write 5 things I am grateful for every night.  Write a few words about each blessing.


4.  View obstacles as opportunities to appreciate.


5.  Focus on the wonderful things in life.  This becomes a "Positive Energy Magnet".


6.  Personalize the journal.  Keep clippings, pictures etc.


I can tell this "One Little Word" is taking on a life of its own. I must have really needed this.  Today is only the 4th day of focusing on this word and its meaning,  and I already have two books I want to read. 

What Inspires You?

I'm inspired by books, art, music and people.  I'm inspired by nature.  I'm also inspired by kaleidoscopes.  I have a small collection, several are just the mirrors.  When you focus on something it reflects in the kaleidoscope.  I always marvel at the beauty I see reflected back to me, even in a stack of laundry.

While playing with my phone I found several kaleidoscope aps.  The one that made this picture is from "Toy Kaleidoscopes".  It acts just like my mirrored kaleidoscopes.  Point it at something (clothes in a closet, cans in the pantry, etc).  You can get some very beautiful shots.

I then uploaded it to my facebook page and then dragged it to my desktop.  From there I was able to upload it to my blog.  I am sure there is a more direct route than the one I took.

I find inspiration in the blogs I read, Two Writing Teachers have talked about choosing "One Little Word".  I decided on gratitude.

Yesterday with my 5/6 combo I asked them to make a gratitude list.  List of things they were grateful for, accomplishments, new skills they had learned, people who had helped or supported them.  At first they just looked at me.  Gratitude?  You see the elementary school I work at is a feeder school for our community's homeless shelters.  Many of my students have seen more grief than most adults will live through their entire lifetime.

After I gave them time I shared an article from the "Parade Magazine" insert from our newspaper.  "Up Your Gratitude: Thank-you Notes can have Profound Effects"  This link is a copy of that article.

John Kralick is a lawyer who discovered the power of Thank-you notes.  His book "A Simple Act of Gratitude" is now available in paperback.

I asked my students to write a thank-you note to someone.  I said it could be a family member, a friend, or a teacher who has helped them.  They wrote.  The room was quiet as they wrote.  I encouraged them to write at least one thank-you note a month.  My goal is to write one note a week.

I want to go back and read more posts about "One Little Word".  It has already led me to some amazing ah-ha moments.  To me gratitude and inspiration are closely linked.  I am looking forward to finding more ways to be inspired.  What inspires you?