A Surprisingly Long List
Oprah Winfrey has been encouraging people to keep a “Gratitude Journal” for years. I’m guessing most of you are familiar with the practice of designating a journal or notebook to write down a few things each day for which you are grateful. I’ve started one a few times, but never kept up with it. I feel like I express gratitude throughout the day, so writing things down in a notebook seems unnecessary.
Admittedly, I’m a little resistant to putting my thoughts on paper in any kind of journal. This resistance probably stems from the two times someone I was dating read my journal without my permission. Unfortunately, things didn’t end well either time. Although these incidents happened decades ago, they left such a bad taste in my mouth, I haven’t felt inspired to keep a journal since.
That being said, I absolutely believe there is value in getting things out of my head and onto a piece of paper. Thoughts can ping-pong around my mind forever without providing any clarity. Putting them on paper allows me to examine them from an observer’s perspective and gain new insights. This very thing happened on New Year’s Eve.
Plans with friends fell through late in the day, so I ended up having a quiet evening by myself. Turns out, that was exactly what my soul was craving this year. Staying home allowed me to watch a livestream on YouTube presented by one of my favoriteA Course in Miraclesteachers, Jacob Glass.
At one point in the livestream, Jacob invited the viewers to make a list of all the things in 2024 we were grateful for. Knowing I was going to have my own private Burning Bowl ceremony on my front porch later, I decided to use one side of the paper to write what I’d like to release, and the other side to write down the things for which I was grateful.
After the livestream, I sat on my couch with a pen and paper and sifted through my memories month by month. There were at least one or two very cool things that happened during each one. I took some wonderful work trips in the first half of the year, including a very healing trip back to Houston in March and a farewell visit to Serenity Farm in April. I love facilitating Family Constellations in the Pyramid at Unity of Houston, on the healing land at Serenity Farm, and with the wonderful people at Unity of Bon Air.
In June, I spent a week with my dear friend, Charles, in Montana. Not only did I get to see his beautiful new home, but also nature’s splendor that surrounds him. While I was there, two beloved Big Sky friends joined us, and I got to speak and share Family Constellations with his spiritual community in Helena.
In 2024, I was blessed to work with some amazing new Spiritual Coaching clients and continue walking the path with many beloved longtime clients. In the fall, I dipped my toe back into Family Constellations training and led an online group of 12 powerful women from around the globe. It was a delight to spend time with them in the Knowing Field! I look forward to spending more time with them in 2025 and offering another training group.
If you’ve been reading my weekly stories for a while, you know in April I attended Madonna’s Celebration Tour showcasing her 40-year career in music. What a fun and “constellation-like” concert! You also know in November I had the incredible honor of officiating my niece’s wedding in Maryland. It truly was a weekend of LOVE!
The list went on and on, and quite frankly, it surprised me! Until I wrote that list, I felt very neutral about 2024. But when I gave myself that half hour to reflect on all that happened, my heart was filled with a new sense of gratitude and cheerful expectancy for the coming year.
For some of you reading this, 2024 was an extremely tough year. I understand. 2023 was that kind of year for me. And there were plenty of things I wish had turned out differently or been easier in 2024. It might seem impossible or even painful to make such a list if last year was exceptionally difficult. But I’m confident if you look closely, (maybe using your calendar to help) you will find at least one thing to be grateful for each month. I’m so glad I took the time to write that list. It helped me focus on what did work out well instead of what didn’t.
If you haven’t done so already, I encourage you to invest some time right now to contemplate 2024 month by month. On an old-fashioned piece of paper or in a document on your phone, jot down anything that comes to mind for which you are grateful. You might be surprised like I was that the list is quite long. No matter the size of the list, it will get you in the mindset of gratitude as we begin another year. And from that place, we can create a better 2025 together!
For those near or willing to travel to Central Florida, please join me and my inspiring friends Rev. Cindy Grimesand Amy Steinberg for a Weekend of J.O.Y. at the Center for Spiritual Living in Ocala. The Opening Ceremony starts on Friday, January 10 at 7 PM, followed by a day of Family Constellations on Saturday, January 11. Amy will be performing a live concert Saturday evening at 7 PM, and also providing music for the Sunday service with Rev. Cindy at 11 AM. The weekend closes on January 12 with a creative and healing workshop led by Amy from 1-3 PM. Click here for more info and to reserve your spot!
However you begin the New Year, may it set the tone for a peaceful, joyful, harmonious, and miraculous next trip around the sun!
A day devoted now to gratitude will add the benefit of some insight into the real extent of all the gains which you have made; the gifts you have received.
A Course in Miracles ~ W-123.2:1