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:
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:
- Saw the sunset at a beach in Malibu. The ocean always makes me feel relaxed and happy.
- Started and finished the Maze Runner this past week. Now I’m reading Divergent.
- It’s a beautiful day and I can see it.
- My mom makes herself available whenever I call. She emailed me her bulgogi recipe.
- 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
This week 2 of my gratitude journey. Click the banner below to see my other gratitude posts:
