Writing Gratitude

From Cheryl's Writing Crate

During this wonderful season of Thanksgiving, today's post is devoted to what I consider one of the greatest gifts a person can have--gratitude.

We all experience difficult days, sometimes very long stretches of challenge after challenge, but if we have the tools to turn those tough times into temporary setbacks and instead focus on all the positives in our lives, I believe we live a fulfilling, joyful and worthwhile life.

One of the most popular ways to live a grateful life is to keep a gratitude journal.  You've probably heard this said many times, but have you ever thought about keeping one yourself?  My first experience with a gratitude journal came from reading one of my favorite and most meaningful books, Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach.  This book really tuned me into the art of appreciating the simple things in my life.  I still keep this treasured book on my nightstand and have given dozens away as gifts to the special women in my life.

           

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I must admit, however, although I first read Simple Abundance in 1996, it wasn't until a few years ago that I actively kept a gratitude journal.  I had good intentions for many years but my ready-made excuse of "busy mom of eight kids" was usually the reason I never kept at it

My gratitude journal means many things to me, but at the end of the day if you were to have a peek at the hundreds of pages I've written I think you'd be surprised at how simple my thoughts usually are.

There are days when I give thanks for a beautiful new piece of artwork hanging in my house, or finally finding a pair of jeans that fit me just right.  I also note the amazing experiences I am so lucky to have like visiting my dream publisher--Macmillan--in NYC--because I work for them or how fortunate I am to have just taken 7 of my 8 kids on a fabulous trip to Disney World this past summer.  But for the most part, my pages are filled with things such as being able to listen to Christmas music in early November, cuddling with my dogs on the couch after a full day of work, baking brownies with my 9-year old daughter, sharing my smile with people all day long.  Those are what I jot down in my gratitude journal on a regular basis.

So, today, one week before we celebrate Thanksgiving, I wanted to share with you how important gratitude is not only in my life, but especially to my writing.

If you've ever contemplated keeping a gratitude journal for yourself, this just might be the perfect time to give it a try.  And if you already do have one, what keeps you writing in it on a regular basis?

A Writer's Thanksgiving

From Cheryl's Writing Crate

I’m so excited that my post today falls on my favorite holiday of the year—Thanksgiving!

Sure the delicious stuffed turkey with all the fixings is something my family and I will all enjoy, but the best part about Thanksgiving is celebrating a special day that focuses on gratitude not on commercialism or material items.

One of my favorite quotes for this day is by Gerald Good.  “If you want to turn your life around, try thankfulness. It will change your life mightily.”     With that in mind, I’d like to share 5 things that I, as a writer, am so very grateful for today, and all year long.

    My Imagination and my Good Health:  I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes five years ago.  Since no one in my family has ever had diabetes, I was truly surprised that I now had it, especially when I consider myself to be a healthy person.  Thankfully, I have a great doctor who connected me with the proper nutritionists and other diabetic specialists and so far, I’m able to control it with minor medication and diet.  I am most grateful for my health—physically, emotionally, and mentally.  A day doesn’t go by that I don’t daydream or imagine all kinds of interesting things that I want to write about it.  For me, having an active imagination is priceless.

<My Readers:  After my first essay was published 11 years ago, I was awestruck every time someone commented to me about how much they enjoyed reading it.  I never tire from hearing from my readers about the things they take away from my articles, essays, and my book, PregnantWomen Don’t Eat Cabbage.  Readers are like family to me, and I thank you for taking time from your busy lives to stop and read my work.

<My Laptop, Writer’s Crate and other Writing Tools:  One of the most important components to my writing life is my sacred “Writing Crate”.  Kate and I both shared descriptions and photos of our special writing places when we first started this blog in September.  No matter what’s going on in my life, I know once I retreat to my tranquil writing area all my troubles will (temporarily) go away, and I can connect with myself and my thoughts and make them come to life on my laptop, in a journal or notebook, or even on my calendar.  I will never take these amazing tools for granted.

<My Family, Friends and Pets:  My family, friends, and my precious dogs Molly and Gracie are the center of my life.  I can’t imagine my days or my writing life without my 8 unbelievable children, my handsome husband, my supportive mother, my unbelievable circle of friends, and my writing buddies that know and understand how important my life as a writer is to me.  Thank you all!

<The Future and all the Unwritten Books and Articles that Await me:  Each day is a new opportunity to express myself in any way that I please when I write.  I know in my heart that many more articles and books are living inside of me and someday will be published.  And for that, I am humbly grateful and appreciate this inspiration each and every day.

This is my short list of what I’m most thankful for on this treasured day of Thanksgiving.  What things are you thankful for in your writing life?  Please share them here in the comment section.