Gratitude is a term which is well-known to most of us, but what does it really mean? According to a definition provided by PWN dictionary a grateful person ‘ has warm feelings towards his/her well-doer, wants to thank for all the goodness received and wants to return it to the benefactor’. What if we are not grateful to ourselves for what we have? For sure such an attitude causes a number of adverse changes in the way we approach ourselves and the surrounding world. In consequence lack of gratitude doesn’t allow us to set ourselves free from negative emotions, which make us focus mostly on our failures or on blaming others for our sorrows. However, it’s worth remembering that most of the situations depend on us and the way we’re going to handle them.
Some time ago I had a chance to take part in workshops, which were carried out by a professional coach Patrycja Dorsz Vel Drożdż, who is also the author of a website called Ms Mediator. During her lectures she touched upon topics, which were really close to my heart … such as strength and femininity, which against all appearances don’t exclude themselves. During one of such meetings I had an opportunity to listen to a special guest – Jolanta Górniak, who is a mental coach and a chairwoman of a fund called A self-confident woman. She was talking about gratitude … and it wasn’t really a coincident, as Ms Jolanta is also the author of a book titled A Gratitude Journal.
What is the above mentioned A Gratitude Journal? You’ll probably think that the author shares there detailed accounts of everything she is grateful for … you couldn’t be further from the truth!
During her lecture, Ms Jolanta Górniak mentioned the influence of gratitude on her life and how she had learned that skill. However, she didn’t really create this journal to bore you to death with all these airy-fairy and idealized descriptions of other people’s successes. It’s a kind of a coursebook, in the pages of which you are given tasks, which are meant to make it easier for you to be grateful not only for big achievements, but also for the smallest values you can find in yourself and in the surrounding world. I truly loved this short lecture, because the coach beamed with inner peace and happiness. I was truly lucky, since I received A gratitude Journal as a gift from its author. I’m going to try the exercises included in the book on myself. The tasks are planned for 60 days during which I’m supposed to act exactly as I am asked to in the exercises. After completing this period, I’ll start writing this journal myself.
What do I expect to gain after finishing this experiment? A short list:
- positive feelings towards myself and the surrounding world;
- ease of mind;
- higher resistance to difficult situations;
- more optimism and increased self-esteem;
- being less focused on myself and my own problems;
- more energy to take up new actions;
- better time-management;
- more productivity accompanied by obtaining my objectives;
- being able to make autonomous decisions more often.
Due to some obvious reasons, I don’t want to reveal too much when it comes to the exercises themselves. Their basic task is to make you able to notice the reasons in yourself and the surrounding world to be happy and grateful. All these efforts accompanied by your consistent actions can tremendously improve the standard of your life in many important areas related to your family, friends, and professional career. And who knows? Maybe thanks to such a training you will find your undiscovered talents, and in consequence you’ll see lots of new prospects for the future? I encourage you to reach for A Gratitude Journal and share your experiences with me and my readers.
See you around!
Yours,
Passion Piece
(The book hasn’t been translated into English, however you can find lots of templates on the Internet and use them instead.)
Websites you should visit: www.mediacje-rodzinne.eu , www.kobietapewnasiebie.pl
I've heard of doing a gratitude journal, but have never done one! I think I should try it out! thanks for sharing!
It will be a new experience for me too, we will see whether it works out or not. :)
I have heard of these before! I may have to try one!
I hope you'll have a chance to try it out! :)
Gratitude is the best way to change a lot!! I will be looking for some gratitude templates - Hope your Gratitude Journey goes well!
Hope you'll enjoy your gratitude templates. :)
I've done a gratitude journal before, but it always seems like eventually time gets away from me. I should definitely start that up again!
I think it's difficult to get permanent results ... but I'll see that for sure when I finish my experiment. :)
Bardzo dziękuję za to, że podzieliłas się moim artykułem oraz Dziennikiem Wdzięczności. To naprawde piękne, że możemy się dzielić tym, co nas wzbogaca. Serdeczności!
Spotkanie z Tobą i Panią Jolantą było świetną inspiracją do napisania mojego artykułu. Pozdrawiam i życzę samych sukcesów. :)
I've never done a gratitude journal, but I think it's important to take moments to be grateful for all the good in our lives.
Sometimes when I see that some people go through really hard moments of their lives, I feel guilty for not feeling grateful at times. :)
Finishing gratitude is more difficult than it seems. Maybe if we all found more happiness this world would be a better place
For sure happiness is the key to gratitude, otherwise I find it difficult to be grateful.
Remembering gratitude each day has helped me through the hardest times. Finding a place to stop and reflect in what we are grateful for will make it more routine.
I'm happy gratitude has helped you to go through difficult moments in your life. :)
I loved this post so much, gratitude is such an important aspect in life and sometimes we need that shake to remind us.
That's wonderful you enjoyed reading this article. That's right we need to remind ourselves of the importance of gratitude.
I heard of a gratitude journal before and the benefits. I have heard it has helped a lot of people!
I'll see myself soon whether these journals work or not! :)
A daily practice of gratitude helps bring awareness to the things we might otherwise take for granted.
It's never good to take things for granted, as we may lose a lot in this way. :)
First of all, it was quite surprising, my mom name is Jolanta and my sister name is Natalia, what a coincident! Anyway that must be too much information, lol. I've never heard about gratitute journal, I do lots of writing notes on my 'everything' journal, I am sure the gratitute journal would be so much useful and give more inspiration for us or others.
What a coincidence ... and no it wasn't really too much information! ;) Hope that gratitude journal will work out. :)
I think the new energy to take the new actions would be the most important for me if I completing that period too..
Yes, without new energy it's difficult to gain things. :)
I had some form of gratitude journal for a year and it was a great exercise to train the mind and soul to see things (even the hard ones) a little better.
Sometimes we lack time to focus on the important details. :)
I love the idea of such a coursebook. I myself have been feeling pretty good inside out since I have started practicing gratitude in my daily life. It is in the little things and being grateful for them that you find everyday peace of mind.
Peace of mind is so much important to see things better and to understand more. :)
Great idea. It can be difficult to consistently remind yourself of things to be grateful for. So this is awesome
It's so true that we forget to be grateful on a daily basis ... so reminders are really essential. :)
I had a gratitude journal last year ... I realized I am always happy with my life. I have never seen my life as problematic and was writing the same thing daily. But it is such a great practice. ❥ tanvii.com
Wow! I'm so happy you are satisfied with your life! It's the most important. :)
Gratitude is the best way to get rid of anxiety! Or jealousy! I love this!
Being anxious and jealous can really ruin our lives ... so yes ... let's be grateful from now on! :)
I always try to remember to be grateful for the things I have, instead of being jealous of things I don’t have. Comparison gets you nowhere in life.
We cannot compare with others, as we will never be them. True words! :)
I practice gratitude daily during my morning and evening meditation. Never thought of writing it in a journal but will start now. Beautiful post! Xo Jeanelly www.thefashionlotus.com
I need more time for meditation to focus better on the important issues. :)
I think that it's important to make a habit of expressing gratitude daily. I have a day planner that has a section for you to write three things you are grateful for at the beginning of each month, week and day. It's a great reminder to be grateful in daily living!
I think I should start such a day planner ... but I always lack time for that! haha
I would love to make a gratitude journal! I sorta do, but not really anything besides listing 3 things that I am thankful for each day in a prayer journal thing. However, I would really like to meditate more on what gifts God has given me and how He has truly blessed me. This will not only help me see God in a more positive light, but also see the world around me more positively as well.
I love your valuable comment! That's great you find enough time to meditate on such matters. :)
Love the idea of a gratitude journal! It's so easy to get caught up in life and take things for gratitude (or at least that happens to me!) I love that your blog topics touch on more serious issues, which is very refreshing!
I'm happy you enjoy visiting my blog. There will be new great topics to follow. :)
Wow this sounds amazing! To gain all of that from this would be huge!!
Yes, it would be a great success to gain all these things from the gratitude journal! :)
I love gratitude journals, whenever I write in them I feel a major difference in my life and how I look at what is faced before me, being grateful and having a more positive attitude overall. XO - Kam
I hope they will also help me see a difference in my life! :)
Most definitely we need to be grateful to have a better attitude and outcome in life. Appreciate the reminder sometimes we forget about gratitude.
That's right attitude can change a lot both ways. So let's be grateful and appreciate every day! :)
I've never tried gratitude journal before. But I would love to learn more about it. Thanks for this unique post and information. Rhian @ https://smiletutor.sg/
I'm glad you find this article useful. :)
I try everyday to express gratitude to myself and others. Some days I'm clouded by my thoughts but know deep down that I'm truly grateful for myself and the life I have. The key is being present and more aware of this.
I try to be more grateful but I keep failing at times. :)
My therapist, during my divorce counselling, did a similar thing. It was very helpful to look for moments to experience gratitude during that difficult time.
Gratitude helps us go through difficult moments in our lives. It's good to learn how to be grateful! :)
Gratitude is so important. It helps rewire your brain when you are feeling overwhelmed.
It takes time to learn it, but it's definitely helpful in such situations. :)
It is definitely important to make a habit of expressing gratitude daily. I frequently try and make a list of things that I am grateful for.
I started working on my gratitude journal, but due to lack of time I don't use it everyday.
I could definitely be better about showing my gratitude. There so many things I’m grateful for!
I'm happy to hear that you've got so many things to be grateful for! :)