This is not a Starbucks ad. These are my blessings notebooks. In December of 2007, I started writing my blessings everyday. Sure, I would count them before that…only when I am reminded by other people, when I feel bad and need a quick fix, when I literally read “Count your blessings” on a car sticker. But seriously, there’s an entire different feeling when you make it a habit as (first) you allot time for it, (second) you write them down, (third) you do it everyday. It’s as simple as that.
Honestly, I started doing this because I was undergoing my quarter life crisis—a time when I doubted myself: Have I accomplished enough for my age? Am I successful for my age? Am I worthy? Hah! Those were the days (which I laugh about now) and having read articles and books on how to stay positive…it hit me: BE GRATEFUL.
So for three years now, I’ve learned these.
- It’s a habit you need to develop. It’s when you do it repeatedly that you get the point. I mean, at first, I would only acknowledge the “big” blessings that would come my way such as a bonus at work, a concert we did, a party I attended, a birthday surprise. But then as I continue to think about how blessed I am day by day, I started taking note of the SMALLEST and MOST TRIVIAL of things. Smallest such as a “free mint candy from an officemate” or “a really long hard tummy-aching laugh” or “finding a parking slot in 30 seconds”. The most trivial of things like a “good and loving family” or “fun and supportive friends” or “having quality education”. And so from the biggest most obvious blessings to the simplest taken-for-granted things…I wrote them all.
- The ratio of positive-happy-awesome-days to low-energy-bad-vibes days is 360:5. Of course I still have those tremendously miserable days where a series of unfortunate events coupled with Murphy’s law happens. But with my blessings notebook, I realized that it’s ok to have those ^%$!*@ days because out of 365 days, 360 brought me smiles, laughter, peace and fun. So who cares? The five days don’t matter after all.
- This ritual makes me a better person everyday. I never thought that this is an exercise for your mind to focus on positive things instead of making a big fuss out of an issue. As I take on this journal journey, it has become so effortless to switch your mind on to the brighter side of things. Logging my blessings have brought me benefits more than expected.
So I challenge myself now to magnify this blessings journal even more by committing to my FIFTH GOAL this year…TO FILL UP THE ENTIRE SPACE ALLOTED EACH DAY WITH BLESSINGS BIG AND SMALL.
Now start writing yours. If you start a blessings journal after reading this, you allow me to be a blessing too. I thank you for that; and I might as well end up writing your name on my journal today.
I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder. ~G.K. Chesterton
