My Top Twenty

In previous blog posts I have talked a lot about how journaling has always kept me grounded. It gives me a safe place to express intense emotions/thoughts/anxieties without judgment. Expressing my thoughts on paper helps to centre me, calm me, and allow me to reflect on my current life and life situations; and to find gratitude within the mess of it all. I have been journaling for more than 33 years, and I cannot imagine life without that intimate connection. Journaling is an integral part of who I am.

And so, last March I provided myself with a personal challenge. I was experiencing severe pandemic fatigue, as were so many, and I wanted to explore ways to help myself as well as others. I compiled a list of the activities I was focusing on that helped to alleviate the mental and emotional exhaustion I was feeling; and I shared my suggestions in my post Seven Ways to Ease Pandemic Fatigue. But, I realized that if I was going to offer my [unsolicited] advice to the world, then I had better practice ALL of what I was preaching. I was journaling, but not regularly and not a gratitude journal. So I challenged myself. I purchased a simple gratitude journal – Good Days Start With Gratitude – and promised myself that I would write in it everyday. There were times it was challenging, but truthfully, it was a simple self-exploration exercise designed to focus on being thankful for what I have.

For 52 weeks I journaled every day – a small list of 3 things I was grateful for – and the more I remained committed to completing the journal, the more I realized I have so much to be grateful for. I realized that I was surrounded by love, friendship, kindness from others, serenity from nature, and everyday simplicities that make life worth living. I realized that my appreciation for my many blessings grew, as did my love for those that surround me, support me, and cherish me. I wanted to share my experience with you – my readers.

Here is my top twenty list – the most mentions in my gratitude journal in these past 52 weeks. The top five being those I love and cherish in my life – for their laughter, hugs, strength, commitment, devotion, affection, thoughtfulness, and kindness. My Top Twenty:

1.   My Son
2.   My Husband
3.   My Family
4.   My Friends
5.   My Cat
6.   Sunshine
7.   Family Bike Rides
8.   Pilates
9.   Family Movie Night
10. Good Music
11. Coffee/Lattes
12. Reading/Good Books
13. My Blog
14. A Clean House
15. The Cottage
16. My Job
17. Having Money for Essentials
18. Random Acts of Kindness
19. Safety/Security
20. My Life

I recognize that my top twenty list is random, at best, but they are what make me smile the most at the end of my long days. The people who enrich my life – their actions and kindness. The nature that surrounds me – the sunshine. The activities that fill my heart with happiness and peacefulness. There is so much more that I am grateful for – so much so – that I have begun a new 52-week gratitude journal.

The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate. – Oprah Winfrey

What makes you smile each and every day? What are you grateful for?

My Top Twenty. Published by Crystal Joy Hall