News / gratitude

Here we are in 2024 and probably busy dictating to the universe how this year should go with our resolutions and our promises to do more, eat less, and be "better". I am a true believer that in order to have your best year, you need to start with gratitude. Gratitude for what you have, gratitude for the small moments, gratitude for yet another year! By the way, if you ever asked yourself "what does LOVE 540 even mean?", you wouldn't be alone (lol). It just so happens that we picked LOVE (for love...duh), and 540 because it happens to be the energy vibration of...you guessed it, GRATITUDE. And true story, as I am writing this, I stopped for a long moment to watch the hummingbird outside my window and really watched him. Ok, now I am back:). So let's talk about gratitude journals.

What's the Buzz About Gratitude Journals?

Picture this: you're chillin' with your favorite cup of tea, scribbling down things that make your heart sing (I'm a poet and didn't even know it:). That's the beauty of a gratitude journal – it's like a treasure trove of beautiful stuff in your life. Whether it's your morning coffee, your pet's fuzzy cuddles, or that perfect playlist, a gratitude journal is where you put all those little gems.

The Sneaky Science Behind It

Here's the secret sauce: gratitude journals aren't just about warm fuzzies; they're backed by science. Seriously, researchers have dug into this stuff and found that jotting down things you're thankful for can boost your mood and increase those happy vibes. It's like giving your brain a high-five for spreading positivity.

Turning "Meh" into "Yeah!"

Life's got its ups and downs – we all know that. But a gratitude journal? Oh, it's your secret weapon against the "meh" moments. It's like wearing gratitude goggles that help you see the good stuff, even on days when everything feels a bit meh. When you focus on the awesome things, suddenly, life feels a whole lot sunnier.

A Little Love for Your Mind and Body

Gratitude journals aren't just a mind thing; they're a mind-body love fest. When you're all about the good vibes, your stress levels take a chill pill. Your sleep might even be like, "Hey, let's be friends!" It's like giving your well-being a VIP pass to the good life.

Spreading Those Positive Ripples

Remember that time you smiled at a stranger and they smiled back? Gratitude journals are a lot like that. When you embrace the good stuff, it's like you're sending out positive ripples into the universe. Your positivity might just be the reason someone else is rockin' their day.

Creating Your Own Happiness Playlist

Think of your gratitude journal as your very own happiness playlist. Instead of tunes, you're curating moments, experiences, and things that light you up. And just like a playlist, you can groove to it whenever you want. Feeling down? Flip through your gratitude journal and let the good times roll.

It's All About the Little Things

Life's grand moments are amazing, but the little things? They're like the secret spice that makes it all worthwhile. Gratitude journals help you notice and appreciate those tiny, everyday wonders. It's like discovering a treasure chest filled with moments that make you smile. One of my biggest treasures is a journal I kept when my kids were growing up and I wrote down one thing they did or said that made me smile or laugh that day. One of my favs was my youngest looking at me lovingly and telling me how pretty I was and that “my lips were just like dried-up strawberries”. LOL. Priceless.

Making Memories that Stick

Ever reminisce about that time you laughed so hard you almost cried (or peed)? Gratitude journals are memory keepers. They're like snapshots of joy that you can revisit whenever you want. A few months from now, you'll flip through your journal and relive all those awesome moments.

Ready to Dive In?

So, here's the deal – a gratitude journal isn't just a notebook; it's a ticket to a world of positivity and joy. It's like your personal joy ride, complete with awesome pit stops. Whether you're celebrating your yummy morning pancakes or the way your friend makes you laugh till your belly hurts, a gratitude journal is where it all comes together.

So grab that notebook, unleash your inner wordsmith, and start scribbling those grateful vibes. Your gratitude journal isn't just a diary; it's your front-row seat to a life filled with all things awesome. We are obsessed with this beautiful bright gratitude journal that is fully guided so it helps to establish the practice of gratitude. Happy New Year!

As a child, I used to really dislike Thanksgiving. We would get dressed up (ugh) and go over to my grandmother's house where we would be met by various relatives, some of whom I would see once a year. There was a lot of work involved in helping, and a lot of football being watched by those not helping. Dinner was great, don’t get me wrong, but the cleanup????? There was no dishwasher, and even if there were, we would never put the good china or silver in it. Hours of handwashing and putting things back until next year… the juice didn’t seem worth the squeeze, as they say.

Flash forward to my 30-40’s, and Thanksgiving is still low on my favorite Holidays. Now the pressure is in cooking without burning myself and then cleaning I remember the kids being maybe three and five, and I cooked my turkey that may or may not have been thawed out properly. In addition, I did not know that you should let the turkey sit for a few minutes after taking it out of the oven. It was not good. We ate a lot of mashed potatoes and dressing that year, which was just fine with my girls since they did not give a rat’s ass about turkey anyway.

Now I am in my 50s and have acquired a better appreciation of this Holiday. We have used this Holiday to read our family “gratitude jar” post-its we have collected throughout the year. Or we have every family member write out what they are most grateful for during that year and read aloud before we dine. Or we light a remembrance candle and take a moment to remember those who are not with us this year that we dearly love and miss. One of my favorite Thanksgivings was when I decided to just order the entire Thanksgiving dinner from our local market. It allowed me more time with family and took the pressure off all the cooking… and it was GOOD. Whatever your traditions are, make sure to take time to breathe, appreciate the togetherness, and tell your loved ones what you are most thankful for. What I know for sure is that time is flying by, and I have the choice to make this Holiday whatever I want it to mean for me... and that I make a mean sausage and sage stuffing!

Grateful for all of you - Happy Thanksgiving!