The Gratitude Journal

I have found the gratitude journal to be the most powerful and easiest way to get your day started on the right foot.

The issue today is that our lives are crazy and stuffed with things that we need to do or would like to do. Most of us feel overwhelmed and the thought of adding one more thing simply adds to our misery. I am a very practical person. When I hear of a new technique or practice that I believe would be helpful, my next thought is “how does one make this practical?”

At first the thought of having to find time to practice appreciation seems impractical. However, once you start doing it, it becomes somewhat enjoyable. This is especially true when you realize it can be done in a very short period of time.

The appreciation journaling process is the main part of the program. The gratitude journal turned out to be uncomplicated and immensely popular. We started with five minutes a day. The short time that was needed was critically important for the success of the program. One of the reasons people continued journaling was because it could be done in a short period of time. However people also enjoy doing the journal and reported that they felt better immediately after the journaling process.

A gratitude journal can be done in an infinite number of ways. It is recommended for the patient who already has a condition or illness to start his journal of appreciation with the illness in mind and to find instances to feel gratefulness.

The simplest way to start is by sitting down and writing five things that you are grateful for. They can be absolutely anything. The length of time can be extended if you so choose. It can also be shortened to one or two minutes if needed.