grate.ful adj. 1 a : appreciative of benefits received: syn. thankful

4.19.02 Today I am grateful for ___________________ .

As I write above line, I wonder, "What is my answer?" My first thought is, "I am grateful for today." Then I realize there are so many people, places and things for which I am grateful. Everyday list grows.

Everyday there are things that happen to us, and for us, that make us grateful. Sometimes, we even find, that after passage of time, we become grateful. Take time today, tomorrow, and next day to think about for what or whom you are grateful. Then write it down in your journal. Or maybe send a letter or a card, with dates and experiences to that person.

You can start keeping a journal where you date and write in daily, weekly, or monthly about what you are grateful for, why and circumstances that created gratitude. This becomes a story and record of your feelings and warm experiences of what you have given, and also what you have received.

You can also create individual gratitude journals for your spouse, your children, parents, a friend, etc., that you journal in for a period of time. You can write about them sharing what you are grateful for about them. Get a new journal to use for this purpose only. Pick a colored pen or several colors. You can express your feelings with certain colors, green for a growth memory, blue for peaceful times, you decide what each color means and note that in front of journal. Date each entry and describe events, memories, or thoughts that you have about that person. Describe what they have given you, what you have observed, what you wish for them. Tell them about how grateful you are for them in your life, and why. This becomes a treasured keepsake and a priceless gift.

Telling someone you are grateful for them in your life, for what they have done, for who they are is a very powerful expression of caring and love. Telling a stranger who has given you something, directions, good service, a smile, that you are grateful for what they have done and given you is another form of connection. Spread idea of gratitude. You may see something on TV or read about someone. Send them an email or letter of appreciation for who they are, what they stand for, or for what they have done.

Today I am grateful for ___________________ fill-in this blank with what your are grateful for.

For Example - My self, my children, family, work, future, my recovery, etc.

As I was thinking about what I am grateful for, I of course thought of my many wonderful, dear friends. So, I decided to email and ask what they were grateful for. I asked them if I could also share their responses with you, and here they are…

"Today I am grateful that I get to spend time with my children."

"Today I am thankful for a generous heart that loves to spill over to others...and is constantly replenished by my beautiful family."

"Today I am Grateful for joy of friends. Today I am grateful for light in eyes of my friends. Today I am grateful for roses in my garden. I am so very grateful I met you."

Keeping a journal is a proven, powerful tool to enhance and benefit not only your personal life and well being. Journaling can also do same for your work life. It is a way to record and track daily activities and thoughts, which can help with long term projects and goals.

You can record what, when, where, and why of what is important for you, your career, and your company. You can journal in a blank book, in your daily planner, on your computer, on cassette, or even on video. Use system that most fits and supports your routine.

Some Benefits of Keeping a Journal · Set goals and resolutions · Solve problems, revealing solutions · See what you are thinking · Understand habits and patterns · Process and explore · Reduces stress, helps focus, and organizes · Can improve well-being, and makes time for you · Creates a personal reminder

Setting goals and resolution One very effective way to start using your journaling in your work life is to write what your goals and resolutions are. These can be for yourself, for your co-workers/employees, or even for your company. The key to goals and resolutions is that they go hand in hand. A goal is what you want to accomplish. A resolution is how you are going to accomplish your goal. As you write be sure to include specific thoughts and ideas for both. You can create your goals and resolutions on a daily, weekly, monthly, or even on a yearly basis.

Goals A goal is what you want to accomplish. You can use your journal to set both long and short-term goals. Be very specific - I want to be Vice-President of Sales by 2004. I want to make 25% more money by end of this year.

Resolutions A resolution is your resolve of how you are going to reach your goal. Again be very specific - To become Vice President of Sales by 2004 I will do following……Then list these items. To make more money by end of this year I will…..Again make a specific list of tasks and to do's that are practical things you can do to accomplish your goal.

Solve problems, revealing solutions You can use your journaling as a problem solving tool. As you write about a problem, your concerns, and even your fears, solutions can become more evident, because you…

…See what you are thinking As you write down what you are thinking you are making solid on paper your thoughts, and you can see what you are thinking. With that it can be easier to assess if what you are thinking is serving want you want to accomplish.