Gratitude makes sense of the past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.
- Mandy Beattie
Once upon a time, pre-twins, I used to keep a gratitude journal. I would try to write in it every night. It helped me to think back on the best moments of my day. It brought a sense of calm and appreciation for all the great things in my life, things we often take for granted and don’t give a second thought as we go about our busy lives.
Last week was a tough week for me, full of many challenges, tantrums and many, many tears. I had to do something to pull myself out of the negative frame of mind I was falling into. I bought a few e-books for Kindle on my iPad, and over the next few nights I began to read. Some wonderfully inspiring and uplifting words soaked into my brain and I started to feel more positive.
Quiet a few times I read about the importance of focusing on the many small, precious moments that happen in our days, about the importance of being grateful for all the wonderful things and moments that we have in our lives. A gratitude journal was mentioned on various occasions.
I decided then and there that I wanted to, once again, start my own journal. I could write every single night, making myself smile as I re-live the wonderful moments of my day.
So I went on the hunt and I found the most beautiful notebook.
It was so pretty and as soon as I saw it I knew it was perfect.
There are always flowers for those who want to see them.
- Henri Matisse
We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.
- Thornton Wilder
Isn’t the inside cover gorgeous!
I also thought that it would be such a great thing to have to look back on in many years to come, (when B1 and B2 have grown) if I wrote down all the joyous moments that occur each day that would otherwise be forgotten. Making note of the small things they do, that make me laugh or amaze me.
Some examples from my first few nights include:
- When we went for our morning run, B1 just had to take her gardening gloves with her. Well into our journey as I was running, I glanced down to see that she had put a glove on each foot. She looked like she had chicken feet, and it bought a smile and a giggle from everyone we passed.
- The afternoon when B1 and B2 got into our bedroom (the one room they are not allowed to play in as there is just to much stuff for them to break) and both managed to climb up onto our bed. Normally I would have picked them up and taken them straight out, in fear that if I let them play on our bed they would want to all the time causing more tantrums but I stopped myself and thought what the heck! I jumped on the bed and rolled around with them. The laughter that ensued for the next ten minutes was well worth it and resulted in a moment I will always remember.
- At a friends party at the park, instead of running off as usual, B2 came and took my hand and took me on a long walk around the park. We stopped and looked at tiny insects and strange leaves and sticks. We went around trees and sat on the seat for a while just looking around, then continued over to the swing. Not once did he let go of my hand and it was the absolute sweetest thing.
For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
As I write these here, each moment is vividly re-playing in my mind. I have a smile on my face as I type. I know that had I had not consciously wrote down these moments the day they occurred, that I more than likely would not have given them another thought. What a terrible thing that would have been, forgetting moments which make my heart sing.
So from here on, each night, I will try to take a moment… a moment to pause, to think back over my day, and to record the things for which I am truly thankful for having experienced.
Gratitude helps you to grow and expand; gratitude brings joy into your life and into the lives of those around you.
-Eileen Caddy
I also find myself looking for special moments throughout the day that I can write about in my journal. If I am coming to the end of a day without many moments that I can write about, I find myself creating fun games or moments of connection with B1 and B2. It is giving me the nudge I sometimes need to search for more joy and create laughter and wondrous moments each day.
That in itself is a wonderful thing.