Last week I wrote my weekly article for the conference e-newsletter. I talked about blessings. I was looking for blessing practices.
Here are a few of the suggestions I received:
********************
I kept a journal for a few months a few years ago jotting down where I
saw God throughout my day. But, alas, I soon got distracted by life
and raising four children that I began neglecting the 'holy habit'. I
have found that when I partner with someone or a group that I have
much more 'stick-to-it-tiveness'.
******************************
There was a time when I was quite depressed and I started a gratitude journal and I couldn't believe how much my mindset changed after a month. I wrote 5 things that I was grateful for each day == sometimes I had a hard time coming up with things, so I'd write even the most insignificant like the color green, or toilet paper. After 30 days, I started to feel better and realized that I was looking at the world more positively. The power of positive thinking!
*******************************
I agree that it is very easy to see the glass half empty. Especially in these hard times for mainstream churches. Last November I was contemplating what I had to be thankful for and ended up posting something large and small every day on my facebook page. I was amazed and gratified by the number of things I could count as blessings. I have always thought it would be a good idea to keep a written journal but have never followed through. The facebook posting actually gave me feedback from friends and family which was an incentive to think about the many small things that I have been given that I take for granted. Any way that works is a good way to pass along that fullness that we are so richly blessed with. I would be happy to be part of a greater body of thankfulness. Let me know what others report works for them.
and raising four children that I began neglecting the 'holy habit'. I
have found that when I partner with someone or a group that I have
much more 'stick-to-it-tiveness'.
******************************
There was a time when I was quite depressed and I started a gratitude journal and I couldn't believe how much my mindset changed after a month. I wrote 5 things that I was grateful for each day == sometimes I had a hard time coming up with things, so I'd write even the most insignificant like the color green, or toilet paper. After 30 days, I started to feel better and realized that I was looking at the world more positively. The power of positive thinking!
*******************************
I agree that it is very easy to see the glass half empty. Especially in these hard times for mainstream churches. Last November I was contemplating what I had to be thankful for and ended up posting something large and small every day on my facebook page. I was amazed and gratified by the number of things I could count as blessings. I have always thought it would be a good idea to keep a written journal but have never followed through. The facebook posting actually gave me feedback from friends and family which was an incentive to think about the many small things that I have been given that I take for granted. Any way that works is a good way to pass along that fullness that we are so richly blessed with. I would be happy to be part of a greater body of thankfulness. Let me know what others report works for them.
**************************************
One of my favorite ways of listing my gratitudes is by using the alphabet, each letter in turn. It's a great way to add some variety and structure. I use my ABCs when I wake up in the middle of the night and can't go back to sleep. The gratitude list works every time.
****************************
For years I have engaged the ancient practice of examen, which is the last thing that I do each night. You are probably familiar with it. My practice is quite simple. I ask myself two questions, in this order, and framed in attitude of gratitude and blessing:****************************
1. For what am I least grateful today?
2. For what am I most grateful today?
Then I give back to God the gift of the day. This follows Paul's challenge in I Thessalonians, "in everything give thanks." It is a good way to count blessings and I fall asleep in a very positive mode. It's very simple and short, but as I said, I've practiced it for many years.
***************
Blessings to all, Leila