Writing about Good Things Decreases Complaints

If you’ve forgotten the language of gratitude, you’ll never be on speaking terms with happiness. – Unknown

Every gratitude author and gratitude researcher suggests looking at your life and writing about what make you thankful.

Oddly enough you don’t have to FEEL gratitude in order for this to a helpful  exercise. After writing down your list for 10 weeks or so, you’ll feel happier, more optimistic, calmer and even better physically. Studies suggested that you don’t have to write every day in order for it to be beneficial.

As the authors noted in this study, subjects who reflected on the good things in their life once a week (by writing them down) were more positive and motivated about their current situation and their future. Gregory Ciotti

Being aware of our blessings makes it harder to complain. Seeing it in print is “proof” that life is good and that we have a lot to be thankful for.

There are various ways to do this writing exercise.

ONE. Count your blessings – Write a bullet list (1-5 items) in the morning or evening about what makes you thankful. You can write one thing or set a timer and see how many you come up with.

• You could also use a book like One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voscamp to keep you company. In this book “Ann invites you to embrace everyday blessings and embark on the transformative spiritual discipline of chronicling God’s gifts.” I am not a journaler but I know many who have benefited from this book which is why I am suggesting it.

TWO. Journal – Write about the good things in your life.

• I have a 365 day Gratitude Journal, There is space for one thorough description or 15ish bullet  points. I’d like to say I will write in it every day, but journal commitments are not usually my thing.

THREE. Thanks You Notes – Send a note to someone who made your day. It can be someone from your past or someone in your current life.

• Off and on since 2011, I have been involved in a Gratitude Letter Writing Project. I compiled a list of 48 people I wanted to send thank you notes to. I am no where near finished with this project. I hope to write 6-8 letters by October 31st. Every time I do write a letter I am touched again by the recipient’s kindness to me.

FOUR. Friday’s Fave Fave – This is a meme sponsored by Susanne from Living to Tell the Story. Every Friday bloggers link up with a post about the 5 favorite things from their week. These blessings can be big or small.

• Lately I haven’t been good about sharing in this blessing fest. I will do this, though, through the end of October (and hopefully longer).

Update on the No Complaining Challenge: I am on Day 5. How are you doing with the No Complaint Challenge?

Your Turn . . . 

• Do you like to journal? If yes, have you ever keep a gratitude journal or list? Do you have any suggestions on how to make this a regular practice?
• Are you in the habit of writing thank you notes? When was the last time you wrote one? Received one? How did it make you feel?
• How about joining this week’s Friday’s Fave Five? It would be fun to hear what your week’s blessings are. And it would be cool to get to know you.

Related Resources . . . 

• 5 Benefits from Giving Thanks
• SIX Benefits Adults Receive by Writing Thank You Notes
• The 31 Benefits of Gratitude You Didn’t Know About: How Gratitude Can Change Your Life by Amit Amin
• 31 Days of Finishing (2014 #Write31Days series)
• Finding Laughter (2015 #Write31Days series)

Today is Day 7 of the #Write31Days online October writing challenge. My topic is 31 Days of Fruitful Words INSTEAD OF COMPLAINING. I know I will be challenged in more ways than writing every day. If you’d like to have more fruitful words coming from your mouth, please join me from October 1-31, 2016.

Go here for the landing page which has all the posts from this series.

Go here to see what #Write31Days is all about, the categories and the bloggers who are participating.