I pulled out my 2016 gratitude journal this weekend, and perused the contents, looking for commonalities among my daily entries. I thought that I could hone in on what I truly value by sifting through what I was grateful for--a metacognitive way to look at my values through gratitude, from the heart instead of my head.
Here are the common threads in my journal:
- Time spent with my family
- Shelter, clothing, and food
- Fulfilling work, with a paycheck
- Finding fun in little things, like glittery nail polish
- Connecting with wonderful people
- A sense of accomplishment that comes with completing tasks
- Health, and readily available, affordable healthcare
- A good night's sleep
- Good books to read
- Quiet time alone to rest, think, decompress
- Time spent outdoors.
Nothing on this list surprised me; rereading this list makes me feel content and happy. Several of my goals for the New Year align with these values--going to bed earlier, taking care of my health, planning retreats, spending more time in nature.
I've found my focus for 2017, thanks to the old year's gratitude journal.
Great way to use your journal. I need to do this.
ReplyDeleteI've kept a gratitude journal for almost two decades. It's gotten me through some low points in my life, and it's much less daunting for me than keeping a full-on diary.
DeleteIt's a nice way to complete that old year's journey, and feel good about the one coming.
ReplyDelete