At some point in this past year, I have forgotten how to breathe.
Odd, since I don’t remember learning the first time around. It just came natural. I’m not completely gasping like a fish out of water, but hang out somewhere in between a flopping trout and yoga zen.
Some have called this anxiety. Since I don’t have time for anxiety, it can’t be that. I have heard several times one cannot be anxious and overflowing with gratitude at the same time. I haven’t fully bought in to this, but I’m going to try it. What I do know, from years of experience, is what consumes our mind controls our life. I want to be consumed with gratitude and allow that to take control.
So.
I’ve put in a heavenly request to change my default setting. It is now set to gratitude. I’ve let God and His host of angels know, but also need the extra accountability for when anxiety sets in. In case I can’t reach it or forget where it is, please hit my reset button.
I’ve had several versions of a Gratitude Journal. I’ve written a list in the morning to start my day off on a thankful note. I’ve jotted down some grateful musings in the evening before bed, and followed it up with a prayer that God would heal and restore my heart while I sleep. When I’m upset, angry, or worried about something, and I remember (or am humbled enough) to physically write down 5 things I am thankful for in that moment – it truly changes the posture of my heart.
We can’t be grateful and anxious in the same moment. Or grateful and angry. It may feel like the negative emotions are lingering – just hanging out in the wings, waiting to take center stage again. However, we have the power to choose a different thought, a healthier one. Thus, creating a new pattern.
Here is my new gratitude journal for the next 40 days. How cute is this? (Hasn’t it been proven that if something is cute, we utilize it more?!)
I found these on May Designs, you can customize the inside pages and the front (pictured below),
I ordered several of these for Christmas gifts. I showed up at a Girlfriends Christmas luncheon with 3 of these personalized and wrapped. We all opened our gifts from each other and had to laugh. Great friends are usually like minded, as were our gifts. Below are the books Kristy gifted us. I LOVE this Prayer Map and can’t wait to use it every evening! It’s like journaling to the Highest Power.
The Prayer Map for Women was found at Mardels, they can also be found on Amazon, links below.
(Here are links to the Women, Teen, Girl, and the Boy version, found on Amazon.)
You may not like journaling, and choose to use the Notes section on your phone. That works just as well. Just allow your gratitude to flow.
I’ll end with the question prompt I used when the boys were little and needed help thinking of what they were thankful for at bedtime prayer.
What if you woke up tomorrow and ONLY had the things you gave thanks for today?
Happy 2019 Friends.
I’m grateful for you.
