Contact
Subscribe
Jan 2007 Issue
by Alison Palmer
A brand new year: a time for reflection and resolve. Do better, be better, fix this, try that- perfection pending.
In past years I’ve made some pretty lofty and some pretty lame resolutions based on my dissatisfactions with myself and my life. This year I’m trying something new. My only resolve is to make it a year of gratitude.
I know I’m not perfect, I have faults and areas that definitely need improving, but I have a lot of good as well. I’m richly blessed in ways that are easy to overlook when I’m focused on the numbers on my scale.
This year I’m not going to change a thing. Instead, I’ll focus my thoughts and energies on finding joy in the many blessings of my life.
The only promise I’m making is to find one blessing or joyful moment in each and every day.
This idea is sometimes called a “Joy Journal” but there are many variations on the theme. Essentially, you choose a special place to record a happy moment at the end of every day. Just simple thoughts and feelings- What made you happiest? How were you most blessed this particular day?
For me, I’ll use a small calendar with several lines for each day. No “to do” lists or appointments will be listed. I’ll simply jot down an experience or two that made me grateful to be me, to have the gospel, to have my family, whatever it may be.
The next year I might give this as a family gift, turning my thoughts into a gratitude calendar with my entries and places for their own.
Want to involve the whole family? Get a desk size calendar or larger journal. Each evening, before prayers, fill in your family experiences. It will make those prayers sweeter.
Or, try a small note pad and a #10 can. Have family members jot down experiences throughout the year, and then spend next New Year’s Eve reading through your entries together.
Or, roll them into scrolls and tie with colorful ribbons for next year’s Christmas tree.
Yes, I have 10 pounds to lose. Yes, I could be more diligent with my scripture study. Yes, there are a million things I could choose to be unhappy with, but this year, Heavenly Father- more gratitude give me.
