Self Reflection and Gratitude Journaling

"I once received the most adorable book called 100 days of sunshine," reminiscences Cristina Zenato. It was the size of a modern phone, about the thickness of two fingers. It contained instructions to write something we were thankful for or made us happy daily.

It reminded the owner not to worry about the significant events but to concentrate on the small daily moments of happiness. It then instructed to fold the filled-in page half back towards the book's spine for five consecutive pages. After folding the pages, the sixth page should remain straight, and the folding resume for the following five. With each day passing and writing, the booklet, bright yellow, became the shape of sunshine rising on the horizon.

The other day I found this little booklet again and leafed through the old memories. The book alone brought back the biggest smile on my face, but even more so reading again about those happy moments.

We could say that I had completed what is known as a gratitude journal. The thing is that life becomes more meaningful when we realize that we will never get the same moment twice, and a gratitude journal is, quite simply, a tool to keep track of the good things in life.

No matter how difficult life can sometimes feel, there is always something to feel grateful for. It is an exercise I continue to practice, although I no longer have the little sunshine book. That first journaling so many years back created awareness in my concept of now,  something we tend to forget in our modern and fast world.

Starting a gratitude journal may be very easy, but sticking with it might require patience.

I suggest starting with a small journal, something we can keep handy without taking too much space. We might want to pick one that speaks to our hearts and, if needed, eyes; for me, the bright little sunshine was an excellent way to remind me to fill in the thoughts for the day.

We do not need to fill in pages; we can mention one small thing, event, or person we find as a positive experience in our day. Thinking of the good things in our lives as gifts, guards us against taking them for granted.

When we start running, we do not begin with a marathon training but with a shorter route; journaling deserves the same time. Once we become more regular and proficient, it becomes easier to dig deeper into each part of gratitude, and our thoughts can flow freely.

Gratitude journaling and Self Reflection Journaling are personal growth; it does not matter if it's not pristine; we need to remember to be our authentic selves and find what works for each of us. To help you more, I created several Self Reflection Journaling Ritual Sets with Gemstone Healing Energies.