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Gratitude Journal - Tool Of Empowerment
by: Maria Macfarlane
What better way to affirm all that is good in our lives than to
keep a gratitude journal?
This increasingly popular concept of taking time in our day to
notice even the smallest blessings, can only encourage a
greater appreciation for life's daily miracles. It is a labor
of love which can either be kept private for personal
reflection, presented as a gift to demonstrate heartfelt
sentiments or read aloud during the holidays in the spirit of
celebration.
Our children, like us, become caught up in the frantic pace of
a busy lifestyle. Keeping a gratitude journal allows them to
set aside a few moments to reflect upon how they are feeling.
Either by themselves or with your help have them commit to
jotting down a specified number of things that they can be
thankful for in their day. If they can elaborate on their
entries it can be a valuable reality check on their spiritual
and emotional well-being.
What purpose does a gratitude journal serve?
* Older children do not necessarily have to share their entries
with others, but it certainly can be an ideal vehicle for
personal reflection.
* Younger children can use this opportunity to share in some
quality conversation with their parents.
Regardless of age, it is a vehicle through which you can tap
into issues that are otherwise difficult to address during the
day.
Is it worth the time and effort?
By focusing on the "good" emotions, it forces them to seek out
positive instances and can marginalize any negativity they have
encountered that day. It is a task which draws attention to how
they interpret the world and allows them to look at things in a
more optimistic light.
How can we show our thankfulness to the people who are
important to us and how do we communicate those feelings?
The journal serves as a gentle reminder that we don't spend
enough time acknowledging the special things or people in our
lives that give us joy. It is a tangible tool, which can be
utilized to open and improve the lines of communication between
your child and those who are close to them.
For children of any age, this simple daily exercise helps them
sort out what is important to them and emphasizes the goodness
around them that they may have otherwise overlooked. Recalling
their good fortune on a regular basis teaches them to be more
receptive to the positive forces of the universe. It creates a
life affirming energy and elicits a sense of happiness that can
be reflected back out into the world. When feeling love, we have
a better chance of attracting love. It can even be therapeutic
to look back on previous entries, as it revisits happy times
and perhaps might even point out that prayers were, in fact,
answered in unexpected ways.
What if journal writing is not something that your child will
take to?
The simple practice of mentioning a reason to be grateful at
prayer time, bedtime or the dinner table can serve the same
purpose. It is a worthy endeavor, in any form, serving as a
testament to the incredible power of life's little pleasures.
Imagine the possibilities…if we all took the time to
concentrate on the goodness around us, don't you think the
world would be a better place?
About the Author: Maria Macfarlane is a mother of two and
publishes the mom-e-news Newsletter, providing insight and
information for the proactive mom. To subscribe to the
newsletter or for more articles, please visit
http://www.mom-e-news.com or send an email to
info@mom-e-news.com
Source: http://www.isnare.com
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