I'm Grateful for 7-11-17

Let Me Start Before I Begin

On 6-11-17, I started a new habit that I didn’t know would be a new habit. That day, I began the daily habit of journaling. I had written and journaled throughout my life, but that day marked day one. And since then, I haven’t missed a single day.

Now, what I wrote that day wasn’t anything special. I was just taking some notes of some things I had been reading and things what I planned to do that day. But you have to start somewhere. And that’s where I started. Before I began.

Starting, After I Began

So after a month, I began what I believe is the most important part of this daily journaling habit. Showing up and jotting some notes and thoughts is important, but on July 11 I wrote my first gratitude entry. I started my journal by writing, “I’m grateful for opportunities to learn and grow and serve.” That was it. Pretty simple. But looking back, it was a nice way to start my gratitude run. I could actually keep writing that same statement day after day after day because it’s still true. But that’s where I started after I began.

Gratitude Transforms Attitude

So every time I sit at my desk in the morning, this habit forces me to direct my attention toward something positive. It helps me pay attention to the good in life and this small act has had a huge effect on my attitude. Gratitude is easy to do, but it’s a practice that takes attention and intention. And I’ve found that this practice helps me reframe in times when I’m not feeling so grateful.

The Practice of Reframing

Driving behind slow cars and waiting at stoplights are times when it's easy to not feel grateful. But recently, I started the practice of using these moments to reframe the moment. I use these moments to remind myself to take a moment to just breathe. I reframed these stupid cars and stupid stoplights as reminders that my patience needs attention. So now I tell myself I’m grateful for those moments because I need those moments to regroup, clear my mind, and check my attitude. I need those moments to practice finding peace in frustration. It’s definitely not easy, but it’s a practice. And believe it or not. Most times, it really works.

Reframe This?

Try this out. Find something frustrating and reframe it. Find something about it that could become a gratitude. Here are a few to consider...

Sink full of dirty dishes? That’s awesome! I’m grateful that we have food available and that we ate today!

A ton of dirty laundry to do? How amazing! I’m grateful that we have more than enough clothes to wear. We have sheets for beds and towels for bathrooms!

Bills to pay? That’s great! I’m so grateful that we have electricity! We have shelter and protection! We have medical care! We have a home, communication, and transportation. How amazing is that!

Find some of your own and give it a shot.

We Find What We Look For

I truly am grateful for the practice I began on 7-11-17. It has definitely had a positive affect my attitude. I’m grateful for those moments I spend looking for the good. Because there truly is so much good in people and in this world. And I’ve found this to be true...we find what we look for wherever we look. Look for the good today. Look for the good tomorrow. If you don’t already have the gratitude habit, maybe today could be your very own 7-11-17. And if you need help coming up with something, you're welcome to use my first line. "I'm grateful for opportunities to learn and grow and serve."

Be grateful!

And have an awesome day!

By the way, the article I referenced in my first journal on June 11, 2017 was “Successful People Start Before They Feel Ready” by James Clear. You can find the article HERE.