August was a very full month. I experienced highs and lows, pretty much like every other month, except August is my birthday month. It the spirit of these blogs I am choosing to focus on the happy things, although some days it would be much easier to focus on the negative. There were many August Happy Things. When you read my list there is a possibility of some duplicates from other months. When there is something that I am grateful for or elicit happiness I tend to repeat them as often as possible.
My clients often continue to balk at the idea of keeping a gratitude journal. I hear things like “too busy”, “my schedule changed”, etc. I think this is likely because people make it harder than it needs to be. It probably doesn’t even matter if you call them happy things or gratitude. You can feel happy or feel gratitude about small things, big things, unusual things, mundane things, or surprising things.
Have you decided to make a list of your happy things or things you are grateful for?
Gratitude journaling is nothing particularly new and is often a part of spiritual practices. In case you are new to the blog making a list of happy things was inspired by Barbara Ann Kipfer’s book 14,000 Things to be Happy About. Check it out.
August Happy Things
The excitement of a new harp
Midday naps
Early bedtime
Seeing a new bird at the feeder
Brightly colored paper clips
New sunglasses
Dried mango pieces
Bacon for breakfast
Hot chocolate
Reusable water bottles
A new birdfeeder
Birthdays
Quiet time
Receiving a real thank you note in the mail
Harp lights
Birthdays
New birds at the feeder
Clean sheets
Antibiotics
Antihistamines
Ibuprofen
Playing a new song
long weekends