Spillin' Ink

While my "Go To The Grass" Journals are being designed, this one is serving me well!

I have a daily practice of jotting down a few things that I am grateful for in my planner. My not-so-eloquent mantra, “If it ain’t written, it ain’t real,” fuels this habit.

Then, every Sunday, when planning the upcoming week, I review the previous week to see which tasks carry over, what was completed, and, most importantly, what brought me enough joy that I had to write it. Inevitably, after reading my gratitude entries, my heart grows like the Grinch's did when he returned the stolen gifts, and I begin my week housing a heart stuffed full of appreciation.

Even though they will ultimately serve me, I refuse to write about daily challenges. The JOY deserves the ink, for, unlike challenges, it does not scream at me through the day and night like a boot camp drill sergeant. Instead, it quietly blends into the background, allowing itself to become a white noise if I let it. White noise is too easily ignored.

I need the reminder. As I flip through the pages of my planner, I re-live the extraordinary, ordinary moments that brought happiness to my life. A safe trip home, a sunny day, reconnecting with an old friend, my home’s air conditioner, or unexpected encouragement are examples of the treasures I choose to document.

In a world that endlessly broadcasts the negative, my gratitude entries are gentle reminders of the abundance of goodness surrounding me. So, if it ain’t written, it ain’t real. But in my planner, the real is spectacularly noteworthy, and I CHOOSE to make the good news a focal point of my life.

What practices keep you positive?