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Expressing Gratitude | Week 2 On My Gratitude Journey

This past week has been teaching me about expressing gratitude. Although, I may write down a few lines in my gratitude journal every night, I realized that it was not cutting it for me. The other day someone from our building unlocked the door for me to get in, and when I thanked him OUT LOUD, I noticed that I actually felt grateful inside. Maybe it’s part of being an external processor. It’s not that real when it’s a jumbled mess of ideas in my head, but once I verbalize it, it’s a reality. Funny how even writing it doesn’t give me that warm feeling inside. I love this quote by William Arthur Ward:

I'm learning how to be grateful. Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it. William Arthur Ward. This is a blog on gratitude. quotes for gratitude. expressing gratitude quotes. I love william ward quotes. I'm being grateful. expressing gratitude. gratefulness.Pin

For me, though, maybe it’s the opposite. Expressing gratitude helps me feel more grateful. Is that weird?

I never considered myself a quiet person. My friends actually used to call me the loud one of the group. But ever since moving out to LA, I’ve tried my best to become more reflective and to listen more before speaking. Maybe I’ve swung too far on the pendulum. Now, I’m finding myself not expressing much of anything to anyone (other than Jacob). Gratitude is just one of many things I haven’t been expressing enough. Where do I even begin…

These are a few things I’m thankful for this week / highlights from my gratitude journal:

  1. Saw the sunset at a beach in Malibu. The ocean always makes me feel relaxed and happy.
  2. Started and finished the Maze Runner this past week. Now I’m reading Divergent.
  3. It’s a beautiful day and I can see it.
  4. My mom makes herself available whenever I call. She emailed me her bulgogi recipe.
  5. I got to see a taping of the Conan show yesterday. First taping ever.

Now the hard part. I need to practice expressing gratitude out loud. I guess I should start by calling my dad. It’s his birthday today, and I need to thank him for being my dad. This is week 2 on my gratitude journey after joining the GRADitude link-up. You should join too! I’m glad there is a blogger community of people that want to practice gratitude together. What are you grateful for lately?

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it” – William Arthur Ward

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This Post Has 15 Comments

  1. Erika

    Esther — I am so glad that you are a part of this project and you are definitely bringing a different perspective to it all! I really love the quote you included — that is really great! I think I am not so good at expressing my gratitude, either, and like you said, it sort of sits there, bottled up, and then sort of fizzes out. I think expressing gratitude and seeing how it impacts people is rewarding for just the reasons you mentioned. I think I want to take some time to do this some more, too. I say thank you a lot, but I know I can say it to people in different ways than just those two words. Oooh, this post has got me thinking a lot now!

    1. esther julee

      Have you read the 5 love languages? Maybe expressing gratitude to people means loving them in their love language.

      1. Erika

        You know, it’s so funny — I am back on this post as a reference (I may or may not be linking to it soon, hehe) and I was JUST THINKING about the love languages! I definitely want to talk about them more with GRAD-ITUDE 101 because I think this is hugely connected with expressing gratitude! :)

  2. Alex Fahey

    Ah- I love that quote you have posted. I think it’s so important to say when you’re grateful! Thanks for sharing!

    1. esther julee

      Isn’t it a good one? I’m realizing this more and more as I put it into practice. Thanks for reading! :)

  3. You’re right, we were definitely coming from the same perspective this link-up! I love that quote by William Arthur Ward. Also, I’m so jealous you got to see Conan–sounds like fun!

    1. esther julee

      I love that this linkup has been helping me meet more people that have similar struggles in practicing gratitude. You should visit LA sometime. :)

  4. love this post! you deserve a hug for your mini milestone *HUG*
    i want to try your bulgolgi! if i can…
    and go call your dad!

    i’m inspired to write a gratitude post now too..

    1. esther julee

      Yay!! :) Well, I have to make it first and give you the verdict. Also, my parents are being terrible with their phones today. Maybe they are going on a date!

  5. Tidy-Up Gal

    I like to feel appreciated, so I try my best to show appreciation as well – whether it’s randomly thanking my mom for being so awesome, or thanking my boyfriend for one thing or another, I actually feel very good when I do it. So I totally get your point about actually expressing gratitude. I’ve also learned that because I like to feel appreciated, showing appreciation helps the people I love also show me appreciation in return.

    1. esther julee

      Speaking of… I appreciate you for commenting on my blogs! :) Sometimes I have no idea if people are actually reading them. :) So glad that we got to meet at the container store opening.

      1. Tidy-Up Gal

        aww :-). You’re most welcome!

  6. Kate Hall

    I’m looking to start reading The Maze Runner in a week or so, is it good?
    I love the idea of having a gratitude journal, I might start that up!

    1. esther julee

      I liked it! It has a slow beginning, but picks up a third of the way in… and then it was hard to put down. :) I’ve been trying to finish all these books before the movies come up. What are you currently reading / last book you read?

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