Gratitude

May 4

Riding the Emotional Roller Coaster

This week has been an emotional roller coaster. The ride is far from over, but I’m so grateful that we get to continue this ride. I am forever grateful for the kind souls that entered our lives this week and helped make the journey a little less scary.

I am completely drained and exhausted. Yet, I feel like I should be in high spirits and a ball of energy. I’m not and I’m not going to fight it.

My emotions are all jumbled and difficult to tease apart. However, I awoke this morning with an immense sense of gratitude that filled me with joy. This I know: I am so very grateful.

image: shanna murray

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Jan 2

Inspiration for 2012

A new year has arrived and with it a beautiful opportunity to reflect on the past, be mindful of the present, and to manifest what you hope to cultivate over the next twelve months. But, as I shared in my first post of the new year, transitions can be difficult and rarely do they follow a prescribed path. We are each on a different journey and periods of universal transition (like a new year) can act as a trigger with a multitude of effects. Prior to sharing a little inspiring activity for 2012, I want to begin this post with a simple mantra, “everything will be okay.” This phrase is beautiful to whisper to yourself—on both easy and difficult days. It’s also perfectly fitting for however you may be feeling in relation to this new chapter, chapter 2012.

Inspiration for 2012

When thinking about the next twelve months, I find it helpful to switch my mindset to that of my future self. I first got this idea from my friend Jess Constable who writes an annual letter to her future self (highly recommend!).

STEP ONE: I begin by asking my future self (i.e., Carolyn + 12 months from today) for one word that has had significant meaning over the past year. In 2012, my one word is confidence. Ali Edwards recently posted a roundup of “one words” chosen by others that your future self may enjoy perusing :).

STEP TWO: After choosing one word as an anchor for 2012, I brainstorm 12 actions that align with the overall sentiment of this word. I jot down one action per month and put these actions on an index card in the front of my daily journal.

STEP THREE: This year, I’m going to further explore this activity by jotting down one positive action/experience/accomplishment after each month. Then, at the end of 2012, I will have created a personal positivity treasury with a record of positive moments to reflect upon. I really think this simply activity will be tremendously powerful.

Inspiring Downloads for 2012

Inspired by the one-word concept, I created a cheerful printable file for you to download. [download pdf]

I also created a printable document to serve as a visual reminder of this new journaling activity. I plan on keeping mine pinned to my inspiration board for easy reference and updating as the year unfolds. [download pdf]

How do you keep track of positive experiences and accomplishments throughout the year? If you’ve chosen one word for 2012, I would love to know what you’ve selected!

image (everything will be okay): ello lovey

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Nov 24

10 Simple Gratitude Projects

In honor of those celebrating Thanksgiving in the US today, I have curated a few simple projects focused on the sentiment of gratitude. Be sure to visit the links associated with each project for incredible visuals and additional inspiration!

1. Create a thankful tree—write what you are thankful for on decorative paper and hang from the tree. (via simply vintage girl)

2. Create an advent style gratitude board. (via jellybean junkyard)

3. Begin a yearly gratitude scrapbook filled with 365 things. (via I love it all)

4. Create a gratitude poster. (via becky higgins)

5. Begin a 30 day gratitude challenge. (via crystal wilkerson)

6. Create a gratitude paper quilt. (via let’s explore)

7. Create a perpetual gratitude calendar. (via design sponge)

8. Create a gratitude garland. (via gypsy girl’s guide)

9. Create a gratitude jar. (via young house love)

10. Begin a 30 day instagram photo gratitude challenge. (via positively present)

image: rifle paper co.

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Nov 21

Pen and Paper: Focusing on Gratitude

Welcome to this month’s Pen & Paper: Living Between the Lines written by the amazing Hope Wallace Karney. To learn more about Hope and the column, please check out the announcement post!

WIth Thanksgiving just around the corner for those of us in the United States, it is a great time to either start a gratitude journal or to create a journal spread focused on what you are thankful for.

I have created a template (PDF) for you to download and print, which you can journal directly on (I cut mine out and will paste it into my journal). You can use it one time, or weekly, or even daily. It is a great exercise to start doing on a regular basis.

I recommend listing out at least 5 things you are thank for, this is a common practice and when done daily it becomes a gratitude journal which is a wonderful way to keep yourself grounded in the everyday things that make you happy.

For this exercise, let’s take it a step further – for every item you list, take a moment and reflect upon it, then write a sentence or two about why you are adding it to your thankful list.

Below, You can see the various stages of my thankful spread:

I decided to record what I am thankful for now, this year, 2011. I added a recent photo of myself and the year. Next, I wrote around them the things I am currently thankful for.

I know it is hard for some to come up with things to list, a lot of times one may think it is too little or silly to record. That is not true! Try not to over think it, and reflect on things you are thankful for no matter how large or small – because both large and small are easily taken for granted, and this prompt will help you to appreciate them more.

I hit some of the big ticket items on my spread – family, friendships, home & shelter, health, and love – but there are plenty of small things that I am thankful for as well, that I could have added, such as…

… my local grocery store starting to carry my favourite hot chocolate.

… borderline warm weather so I can wear flip flops just a few more days until I have to start covering my toes to keep them warm.

… the way my puppy sighs her contentment when I snuggle her close.

… my parents safe journey home after a wonderful visit.

What are you thankful for this year? Today? This month?

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May 7

On Support and Gratitude

Thank you. Truly, from the bottom of my heart, Thank You. If only I could show you what you have shown me – over and over again – that if you reach out for support and kindness, you will receive it beyond your wildest imagination. We are all worthy of support and kindness, but for some reason, it takes a lot of work to really understand this kernel of truth deep within our core. I battle with this constantly, but YOU have shown me that it’s okay to struggle, it’s okay to wear (and own) our imperfections, and to fall flat on our faces – as long as we keep reaching out for support and maintaining the courage to put one foot in front of the other.

Here is where I would tell you that I’m humbled by the number of people who have extended their support and well wishes to me over the past few weeks (and really, the past few years), but I hesitate doing this because it’s not about numbers. And if you’re anything like me, reading about how much support someone else is getting – when you’re struggling yourself – makes you feel a bit defeated and less worthy of receiving support. It feels unfair that you are struggling alone, and feeling alone is probably the worst state to be in.

I got through the BIG events on my last post and now face finals, and hope to find some morsel of energy left within me to reach the finish line. One side of me says I can do it while the other side keeps pushing back and says that I am not going to be able to do it. I choose to listen to and amplify the first side and prove to myself that I can do it. And of course, I will update you along the way, and cannot wait for this summer to come – for time to rejuvenate, to create, and to give back to you for giving so very much to me.

If you need support or a little crowd cheering you along, leave a comment – it can be anonymous – so that you know that you are not alone as you move forward.