Gratitude is one of the hardest lessons to learn, as we always earn and dream of the things we don’t have, forgetting everything we already have. However, if we were to stop for a minute and count all of our blessings (pardon the cliché), we would quickly discover that we are indeed rich. The year is about to change, and I was so happy to discover this gratitude journal, written by my dear author friend, Anna Smithers. A luminous person at heart, she is ready to share her mindfulness journey with everyone, and I could not help but join in!
My opinion:
Journaling is one of my favorite activities, as it has helped me process difficult emotions and come out as a better person in the end. With her gratitude journal, the author offers guidance on how to shift our mindset and embrace the power of positive thinking. I loved how she said the book is just our guide, as the real journey begins with each of us. The journal begins with a short introduction on mindful gratitude, and it was so nice to see the author speaking from experience. In her own words, “mindfulness is finding the stillness within me”, something which we all try to achieve, especially in a world defined by agitation. She goes on to detail the benefits of mindful gratitude, affirmations, and daily breathing.
So many wonderful lessons gathered in one place!
If you are looking for other ways to practice gratitude, you should definitely follow Anna’s suggestions. I have already started a gratitude jar, realizing that I have so many things to be grateful for. Anna is a not only a talented author, but also a qualified yoga therapist and gratitude practitioner. I feel like she is the right person to teach me about mindful gratitude and I love that I am about to start the new year with this journal by my side. The journal teaches deep breathing, daily gratitude practicing, and how to use empowering words to describe our daily life. We are reminded of the small things that are actually big, and I think this journal delivers the perfect humbling experience.
Upon writing in this journal, you will have a revelation, I guarantee! You will discover that there are so many things to be grateful for, not to mention that each day is filled with a lot of positive experiences. “I see beauty within myself.” This quote has stuck with me, I find it contains such a powerful message. You get to be reminded of the moments that made you proud, people that are important, and experienced not to be forgotten. Through journaling, we get to make a journey back in time and I am grateful for this. The one thing I noticed is that the practice of gratitude becomes easier over time, allowing me to grow and embrace my inner child at the same time.
Verdict:
If there is one thing to “borrow” from my experience, I would like for it to be this. Practicing gratitude is very much like doing yoga. It forces you to slow down and focus on the things that matter. You realize that the things stressing you are often not worth it, while those you should be grateful for are plentiful and so easy to recount. I am grateful to Anna for having created this wonderful journal and sharing her mindful gratitude practice with me. At the end of the journal, she has a beautiful suggestion for you to release the energy locked within the pages into the universe. Be sure to give it a try! And you might also want to search for new affirmations, continuing the journey of self-discovery with things that fill you with positive energy.
I am so excited for my own journey and the year ahead!
Journal link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1838339175/
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