“I don’t even know they are gifts really until I write them down and that is really what they look like. Gifts He bestows. This writing it down – it is sort of like…unwrapping love.” Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts
Reading the book One Thousand Gifts opened my eyes to just that: all the gifts right in front of me. As I read the pages of Ann, the author, thanking God at her kitchen sink as she washed dishes, running out into the yard to catch the glimpse of the night sky, and looking around her home with new eyes, I began to realize that I wanted the same thing for myself. I wanted to find myself grateful and not always wanting more.
Science actually shows that when we write down our blessings, something happens in our very physical body. We begin changing. We begin to see differently. We notice. Our eyes are more fully open. Our hearts, too.
I have mentioned before in the Write the Word series that writing down words is good for us.
Why do we write things down? We write them down to remember them. We write down things that are important to us. We write things down that we want to focus on.
Why Write Down What You’re Thankful For?
7 Reasons to Write Things Down
How Writing Things Down Can Change Your Life
A Small Gratitude Exercise for a Large Boost of Happiness
To Build Resilience…Write Down What You’re Grateful For
Happiness Tip: Write Down Good Things
Cultivate
Have you gotten a new journal just for fall? Get your journals ready…
Start brainstorming how to make this work for you. Would you like to write down 3 things you’re thankful for each day? Each morning or even night before bed? Do you want to number your blessings, count them? Or just keep an ongoing list? Do you have a pen that you love? Get a few extra and keep them with your journal!
Join our Facebook Group of Encouragement
If you’d like to discuss this series, encourage others and receive encouragement along the journey, come to our closed group of encouragement and join us! You will need to request to join, I will click on your profile and as long as you look like a real person {grin} I will accept your request to join us!
I love this! I know if I do not write blessings down I will forget them. Thank you for this reminder. I hope you have a blessed weekend!
I’m still pretty new to your site, but what a gift you have given me in your resources. Because of you I have begun writing scripture. I started (and continue) with the monthly scripture praying. I have added more since then. It gives me a focus each day when I come before the Lord. Just in the past couple of days I have felt an urge to add a focus of gratitude to our family/home. I’m excited to browse the Gratitude Pinterest page! Thank you so much!