Gratitude Journal Prompts

 

22. Write about a gift that made you happy.

Everything that comes to mind right now are things that I told Dave to buy for me, hahah. I don’t do a lot of shopping for myself so it is nice when I can give an idea to someone and get something special for myself. 

23. Write about an achievement that you are proud of.

Graduating from law school, and even winning a couple of prizes for top marks. I kind of take it for granted that I went to law school, graduated, got a good articling job, and then was hired after being called to the bar, but I should do a better job of being proud of myself for that. It’s not something that is accessible to everyone and going to law school is not for the faint of heart. I am fortunate to have this as my career.

24. What physical feature of yours are you most grateful for?

I am grateful that I have working limbs, heart and lungs that let me stay active, a digestive system that lets me eat pretty much whatever I want, and a reproductive system that, although has given me some troubles in the past, still allowed me to carry two healthy children. 

Gratitude Journal Prompts

 19. Write about an unexpected opportunity that benefited you for which you are grateful.

My new job! I had been at my previous company for 7 years and although I was thinking about making a change and moving on, I hadn’t actually done much to look for a new position. Then a former colleague of mine contacted me about a new opportunity, kind of out of the blue, and it actually seemed pretty perfect for me. I had a couple of interviews and they offered me the position. It was a fairly seamless transition and I am grateful for the logical next step in my career but also for the referral that made it happen! A lesson to keep in touch with people and you never know what it might lead to.

20. Write about a movie and a song that inspires and makes you happy.

It’s really hard to pick one movie and one song that make me happy but one movie that really is just lovely is Salmon Fishing in the Yemen. It has Emily Blunt and Ewan McGregor, it’s a very simple plot where a sheikh wants to bring salmon to the Yemen and Emily and Ewan need to figure out how to make it happen. There are a lot of movies I love that usually have some sort of melancholy to them, but this one is just nice. 

I love to sing and one song that I love, and that I know all of the words, is “If I Had a Million Dollars” by The Barenaked Ladies. A song that mentions Kraft Dinner, how could it not make you happy!

21. How can you express your thanks to others.

This is pretty basic but literally saying “thank you” does wonders. I will admit that sometimes it feels awkward to say thank you, but it really is that simple. When someone does something nice for you, say thank you, in person or send a quick text or email afterwards (or if you’re feeling really inspired, a handwritten note!). I don’t think anyone has ever said “what a terrible person, I can’t believe they said thank you!”. 

Gratitude Journal Prompts

 16. Write about one sound you are grateful for.

Rain on the roof because it means I have a safe place to be in a storm. When we renovated our house to add another bedroom, I was adamant that I wanted to keep our sloped roof over the back living room. I love lying on the couch when it is raining. And Q’s room has a flat roof with no attic above it, so that’s another great place to hear the rain.

17. Write about three things in nature that you are grateful for.

Birds - Yes, I’m a woman over 40, we love birds. Haha. But seriously, birdsong is a wonderful sound, and seeing them flit around the backyard, or soar, if you’re in different spots to see hawks or gulls. 

Flowering Trees - Part of what makes me grateful for these is that they aren’t around for a long time, so you know you need to appreciate them when you see them. Bonus points for when they are accompanied by delicious scents, like lilacs. 

Ocean - The ocean looks different everyday, it’s amazing. The colours can range from dull greys to bright blues and no matter what, it is beautiful. 

18. Write about a place that makes you happy.

Currently I can say two - the golf course and the baseball field. Those are the places I go right now that aren’t work or home. It is a privilege to watch Q play baseball and for all of us to golf together. 

Gratitude Journal Prompts

 13. What does gratitude mean to you?

Being appreciative for those individual moments throughout the day. Maybe it's at the time when you can pause and feel the goodness of the moment, or maybe it's at the end of the day when you think about all of the things and people that you are thankful for. Without gratitude you end up missing out on a lot and it's important to reflect on what has brought joy to your life throughout the day. Obviously there are better days than others but even on those bad days there are still things to be grateful for. 

14. Write one good thing that happened today in the world for which you are grateful.

(Writing this on Tuesday so "today" was really yesterday.) Two things - the appointment of Former Supreme Court Justice Louise Arbour as our next Governor General and the Toronto Maple Leafs winning the NHL draft lottery. There aren't a lot of good news stories around lately but these ones both represent hope for the future. Mary Simon, our current GG, has been very good, but to be followed by another strong woman is even better! And for us long suffering Leafs fans, we will take any opportunity we can get!

15. Write about one person in your workplace you are grateful for.

I just switched jobs and although I am slowly getting to know my new co-workers, I haven't developed any serious feelings of gratitude for any one person yet, so I must look back to my old job. I was very grateful for my "work sibling". We have a lot in common and worked well together. 

Gratitude Journal Prompts

 10. Write about a festival that makes you happy.

Of what I could consider "festivals" in my life, the one that immediately comes to mind is the Ukrainian Festival in September in my neighbourhood, Bloor West Village. I like the activity on the street and walking up to get some food and see who else is out and about. I love seeing Ukrainians from all over the city gather in their traditional embroidered shirts. The festival has taken on an even deeper sense of Ukrainian pride over the past few years of course, and although I have no Ukrainian blood in my family, I feel connected given the traditional population of our neighbourhood.

11. Write about an unexpected help you received for which you are grateful.

When I was moving to Toronto after completing my articles (year of internship at a law firm after graduating but before being called to the bar), one of the partners at that firm introduced me to one of his childhood friends who was practicing in Mississauga. I didn't know he had a connection and certainly didn't expect anyone to go out of their way to connect me with someone. Without that introduction I would not have gotten a job so quickly and so appropriate for me when I moved here. It was 2008, the recession, and no one was hiring out of province first year lawyers. Gerry O'Brien, you are a real one!

12. Write three things about today's weather that you like.

(Writing this on Wednesday, weather is about 3 degrees Celsius, and overcast)

It is nice and bright, even with the cloud cover. 
It's not that cold, and although I wore a toque in the morning, it still felt warm. 
It's not raining.

Questions 1-3, 4-6, and 7-9.

Gratitude Journal Prompts

7. Write about the friends you are grateful for.

I don't like to exclude people by not mentioning them, so know that you're all loved in your own way, but what comes to mind immediately are my friends that I travel with. We are all leading very busy lives and although we keep in touch throughout the year with quick visits, coffee, or texts, I love that we make a priority to go away together. We are looking forward to London this year :)

Last year in Paris.

8. Look around and write about one thing you are grateful for.

If I look out the window I can see the snow is melting and I am grateful that spring is on its way. I love all of the seasons for what they have to offer but there is something special about spring when it is brighter and warmer outside and we feel rewarded for the dark and cold of winter. 

9. Write about what you made you happy today.

Looking ahead to tonight I am happy to be going out dinner at Piano Piano. Now, it is with my colleagues and at the end of a very long week full of the mining conference, social events, executive team work sessions, and late nights, so it would be easy to dread it. But Italian food, of course that makes me happy.

(Not Piano Piano)

Questions 1-3 here and 4-6 here.

Gratitude Journal Prompts

Continuing with my Gratitude Journal prompts, a few each month: 

4. Write about a teacher that made a positive impact on you.

I was very fortunate to have some terrific teachers when I was growing up.  From Grade Primary to Grade 5 my school had one class per grade so there was never a question of which teacher you were going to get, you knew them. Then in Grade 6 we had a new school with three classes per grade but I was lucky enough to have Mr. McIntyre from my original school.  High school of course had multiple teachers and I have good memories from so many classes and teachers. Mr. Seegmiller taught us Latin after school, Ms. Spencer had a poetry club for some of us and taught my favourite class, English, Mr. LaPlante took us on a class trip to Moncton, Mr. Haliburton taught me law, really inspiring my career, Mr. Theriault was my math teacher and I changed the way I made my eights based on his method (and then he very sadly died when I was in Grade 10), Mr. Thompson was our Industrial Arts teacher (and I still have the tables I made in that class) and also taught Driver's Ed, Mr. S. Pippy was our gym teacher and soccer coach, and his father Mr. N. Pippy was our vice-principal and was always keeping his eye on us.  These are just the ones that spring to mind right now, I know there are many other good memories that come up in different situations. 

5. Write about a past experience that you are grateful for.

Anytime I get to travel somewhere I am grateful. I am grateful that I have the resources (time and money) to visit different places, family and friends that like to travel too, and a Canadian passport that is welcomed all over the world. Living in Toronto also helps because of our international airport with direct flights to many destinations. And I'm also grateful to come home at the end of our journey.

6. Write about the season that you love the most.

I love summer the most, I know that I should appreciate every season for what it has to offer, and I do, but summer is just the best! I was born in June in Southern Ontario and so I think that is why I have always enjoyed the heat. I love the local fresh fruit and vegetables, the opportunity to ride my bike and go swimming, watching baseball (live or on TV), golfing, getting some fries from the canteen at the park, sipping a cocktail or glass of rose on a patio, needing to only think about shorts, a tank top, and sandals to wear, working from home in the backyard, farmer's markets, camping, road trips, so many things to enjoy that are specific to summertime.  (That all being said, I'm not wishing away winter, I will enjoy the snow and cold while it's here and then appreciate summer all the more when it arrives.)

See questions 1-3 here

Gratitude Journal Prompts

I found a list of prompts that I will split up over a few months. I always like to challenge myself to think beyond my normal posts, so here we go with this month's questions:

1) What are you most grateful for today, why?

Having my kids safe at home.  There was a terrible tragedy in my hometown this week of a 13 year old boy being mauled by dogs and killed while he was out riding his bike.  I don't really know the family but my heart goes out to them. Everyday we send our kids out into the world and we hope they come home safely at the end of each day.

2) List 5 basic amenities that make your life easier?

Clean water
Grocery stores
Walkable schools
Reliable power grid
Public transit 

3) Name the people in your family you are grateful for.

The problem with making a list is that I may leave someone out inadvertently. I am grateful for each person in my family in different ways.  All are part of who I am.