Taking time each morning to briefly recognize and ponder my blessings has helped me in my daily struggles of living with an autoimmune disease. One daily habit I cultivated that has helped me to develop and maintain a positive mindset is a gratitude journal. I take a few short minutes each morning and jot down a few things I am grateful for. The trick for me to make this a daily habit…it had to be quick and in a list format (no sentences or lengthy explanations). A simple, short but sweet, list of anything (big or small) that I am grateful for that morning. Some days my list is longer than other days. Some days I simply write down 3-4 blessings I am grateful for, while some days I write down several.
Regardless of whether I feel great physically or am experiencing an autoimmune flare, taking a few minutes to reflect upon blessings I am grateful for in the morning grounds me and helps me to remember that no matter what the day holds for me, I have a grateful heart. No matter what, I can always find things I am grateful for. I love doing this daily gratitude practice in the morning because a sense of gratitude stays with me throughout the day, and helps me to have a positive mindset.
“We can choose to be grateful no matter what.”
-Dieter F Uchtdorf
“It is not happy people who are thankful. It is thankful people who are happy.”
-unknown
“Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”
-Melody Beattle
I’ve shared a little about how my daily gratitude practice is a blessing in my life, and I would love to hear your thoughts and experiences with gratitude! If you are open to sharing, please comment and share how your gratitude helps you in your life.