Now that all the pies are baked and the turkey is ready for the oven, it is time to give thanks. However, some of you may believe you have nothing for which to be grateful.
I know some of you are working your way through the grief of:
- loss of loved one
- unemployment
- the holiday season
- all of the above
Gratitude still has a place even in those awful circumstances. I know it is tough as I have gone through all of the above separately and at the same time.
Not Home Alone
For those of you going through unemployment, you are not alone. I am right there with you as I am unemployed once again.
On November 13th, my job as a loan officer, teller and collector ended.
Why?
The credit union and I were simply no longer a fit for one another and fit is the number one thing potential employers look at in a candidate. Seeing you working at their company is more important than your ability or experience.
So while I am not thankful for being unemployed, I am thankful for the opportunity unemployment brings, along with the blessings bestowed upon me since unemployment began.
Attitude
One of the ways I am working on keeping my mood up is a gratitude journal. No matter what the cause of your grief, a gratitude journal will help you shift your focus. Your journal does not have to be anything fancy. It can be something as simple as a legal pad. This is something I wish I had done during my first year of widowhood.
“For Your Eyes Only”
Grab a cup of tea or coffee and write down 5 things you are thankful for every morning. It is alright to write the same thing for different days. There does not need to be any rhyme or reason for that which you are thankful. This journal is for your eyes only.
Doing your writing first thing in the morning will help you face the day with the right mindset. Keep writing and you will slowly but surely beat back the grief monster. You will be taking a little chunk out of him with every gratitude statement. The grief monster does not want you grateful he wants you wallowing in self-pity.
There does not need to be any rhyme or reason for that which you are thankful. This journal is for your eyes only.
Two Months From Now
My friend Lisa Ryan’s favorite quote is:
“You simply will not be the same person two months from now after consciously giving thanks each day for the abundance that exists in your life. And you will have set in motion an ancient spiritual law: the more you have and are grateful for, the more will be given you.” — Sarah Ban Breathnach
I understand why it is Lisa’s favorite quote. Sarah is right. You will not be the same person when you consciously give thanks every day because your mind is focusing on gratitude and not grief.
Michele’s Gratitude Journal
Here is a page from my journal.
I am grateful for:
- My friend Lisa Ryan
- God’s Faithfulness
- Chocolate
- Rommie
- My Car
Your Turn
So write in a gratitude journal as a way to work through this holiday season no matter what is causing you grief and continue through the cold bleak month of January.
Who knows, by keeping a journal you just might find that Spring comes early.
JoyReturns 