Attitude of Gratitude

Every morning before my feet hit the ground, I give thanks that I am still amongst the living. I take deep breaths and go into a quick prayer and meditation. I thank my God, angels, ancestors and spiritual guides for all that they do for me. Subconsciously, I am preparing myself to focus on the good things in everyday life, that I often t00k for granted. Even on my bad days, I still show gratitude for simple things. The sun shining, someone smiling back at me, holding the door for me, or a friend checking with me to make sure I am ok, are examples of things that warm my heart.

I started journaling on a consistent basis while in quarantine, in 2020. Writing has always been a form of therapy for me. Growing up, I use to keep a diary full of adolescent fantasies and confusion. As an adult, I enjoy writing short stories and poems as a way to escape my reality. 2020 completely changed the way I focused on life around me. I became obsessed with FaceTime with my family and friends, to make sure that I could see that they were okay. I did consider myself blessed because, I was already working from home and utilizing grocery delivery services on my lazy days, so it was easy to adjust. Being in quarantine wasn’t an extreme difference, but it was still emotionally draining. Never in my wildest dream, did I ever expect the entire world to go on pause.

I started to document my emotions daily in a notebook. I kept track of how my days were going while being isolated. I couldn't go to the gym or spa, brunch on Saturday, no day partying on the roof tops, etc. My Atlanta lifestyle was completely shut down. I found pleasure with online shopping for things I still don't use and was in a loyal relationship with Amazon. I realized that I was complaining about not being able to do normal things that kept me busy or motivated. Social media wasn't helping my emotions, as I witnessed other people venting about their new normal frustrations. I decided to find new things to do like making wigs, and jewelry to keep busy, when I needed a break from writing. I also bought art supplies and turned my living room into an art gallery! I was grateful for not falling into a depression or being unmotivated to be creative.

While continuing to journal, I started to show more gratitude for simple things. Each day I focused on something new that kept my spirits up. I remember writing last summer “Thank God for the soothing rain that helped me relax and fall asleep”. Showing gratitude daily by journaling has helped me stay spiritually connected to positive thinking. It is also a good reference guide on bad days, so that I can go back and read about how blessed I really am. Gratitude practice has helped me manifest things, by showing God that I have embraced the lessons, that lead to blessing.

I created the Gratitude Journal to encourage other people to begin a daily practice of gratitude. Life can be a challenge that creates stress and causes us to become unmotivated to use a grateful heart. In my journal you can create your own daily affirmation (quote) that you can repeat to yourself throughout the day. I encourage you all to begin a new daily practice of showing gratitude!

Copy and past the link below and enjoy!

https://www.amazon.com/Gratitude-Journal-Jocelyn-Whaley/dp/B09KN4J1XF/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=22Y9CUB6UCV3N&keywords=jocelyn+whaley&qid=1636783307&sprefix=jocelyn+whaley%2Caps%2C102&sr=8-1