Thursday 8 May 2014

the art of practising gratitude

"The benefits of practicing gratitude are nearly endless. People who regularly practice gratitude by taking time to notice and reflect upon the things they're thankful for experience 
more positive emotions, feel more alive, sleep better, 
express more compassion and kindness, and even have stronger immune systems."


I've wanted to keep a gratitude journal since reading Ann Voskamp's excellent book 'One Thousand Gifts' but I'm not great at keeping 'proper' journals or diaries, or calendars even ;)  But I find a challenge is a great boost to creativity so I was keen to join in with Bernice's challenge to practise gratitude for 21 days in May.


This is a fabulous blog with, amongst other things,  quotes, videos, songs and a creative technique to try each day.  I am only up to day 2: be positive, but that's ok because today's words are 'be kind to yourself' and I've had a minor gynae op so haven't been able to do much, and there's really no pressure to get the journal pages completed (plus you get the weekends as catch up time!)



I'm using a diary that I bought at the start of the academic year and have set aside the May pages to write in every day.  I'm using the other pages as journal pages.



The creative challenge for day 2 was to use bubble wrap to print with.  For me, 'being positive' is about looking at the good things in life so I cut my bubble wrap into cloud shapes and adapted the traditional 'silver lining' saying!



It's not easy to see but I added some silver stitching to the white stitching around the cloud.  [That's all I managed to do today, I now have my feet back up!!  I don't think journal pages have ever taken me so long!]



Stampotique Stamps used:

9 comments:

  1. This work and your post are truly beautiful. I am grateful to have seen it! Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm rubbish at journals and journaling.... but, I do like popping things on my blog and in reality...I guess it is a journal of sorts....... and, I do practice enjoying the little things ...every single day ... I love little things.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm not one for writing "stuff" in my journal either, and haven't kept a diary for donkeys years, but these pages look fabulous.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Gorgeous, Sarah. Thanks for sharing. Great encouragement and lovely to look at - you're a treat :-D Hope you soon feel a whole lot better, dark horse xxx

    ReplyDelete
  5. Love your pages. Thanks for joining in

    ReplyDelete
  6. Love your pages. Thanks for joining in

    ReplyDelete
  7. Wonderful pages! Such a lot to be grateful for! Chrisx

    ReplyDelete
  8. lovely pages Sarah. do like the texture on the clouds (and your stitching) the rain drops really stand out beautifully

    ReplyDelete
  9. You did a great job! I actually hope to start this challenge (albeit late!) this week. I also love the name of your blog. This is a favorite quote as well. :)

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for leaving a comment; it makes my day!!

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails