Gratitude Attitude


I finished my third grateful journal.
I started my first one back in 2017 and I am still going strong.
For me, this has been one of keys to managing my anxiety. 
My biggest anxiety driver was future worrying.
I think the fancy term is anticipatory anxiety. 
I would get spun up about things that probably will not happen and envision worst-case scenarios. 
For example, if the kids were a few minutes later than usual from getting home from school then my mind might take me to the wonderful world of imagining that they got kidnapped.
So much fun.
But my grateful journal has helped me focus on the present and appreciating what I have.
I write down three things that I am grateful for every day.
Here is what I said two years ago:
  • I am grateful I got the sprinklers winterized.
  • I am grateful I got my hair cut.
  • I am grateful I got to enjoy some sunshine with Frizzle.
Pretty exciting, huh?
The entries are usually fairly mundane but this is what helps keep me in the right headspace so I will take a boring journal over a panic attack any day of the week.

Hobby lobby

Now that softball is over, I need to find something to do with my extra time.
Last year, I tried to take up the guitar but that didn't stick.
A few years ago, I thought I wanted to write another book but I am not there yet.
I used to make fun videos when the kids were little and I thought I might like doing that again.
Napping is the other leader in the clubhouse but I don't know if that counts.
Oh that's right, I need to call it meditation.
Any other suggestions? 


It has been decided

The kids have chosen their 2021 Halloween costumes.
Kyle is going as Link from Legend of Zelda.
Hayden is going as Stitch from the Disney movie "Lilo and Stitch."
Pictures coming soon.

Zoom zoom

Below is a picture of Hayden's shoes.
And those shoes were on fire last week.
She scored two epic touchdowns in her football game.
The field is 50 yards long and her runs were about 40 yards each. 
It was awesome. 
She had a smile on her face for about 2 days after the game.


Meme dump







Hope the week is treating you well.
Thanks for stopping by and I will talk to you soon.



I am better than I was. I will be better than I am.
I will persevere. I will keep moving forward. I will be the stream.



Comments

  1. To Hell with Maya Angelou and Willie Nelson. I act my normal and none of my neighbors will have nothing to do with me. But, the wine bottle is fabulous and if I could find it I'd give it for xmas presents.
    Thanks for blowing fresh air to steamy South Florida.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If you really want to make someone's Christmas special, Jimmy, here you go: https://jostwine.ca/wines.html

      Delete
  2. I don't have any suggestions. My hobbies are Legos, biking, reading and writing. Legos can set you down a path toward hording :).

    ReplyDelete
  3. I have anxiety too but I read a lot and that helps me. Getting my mind somewhere else helps get my mind off the things that are bothering me.

    I have other hobbies that keep me occupied too like scrapbooking, making beaded jewelry, blogging, taking pictures, cooking, and I'm tying my hand at writing a memoir. I don't know if I'll ever publish it but I did start writing it.

    Find a hobby you like, try a bunch of them until you find something you like.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Enjoy Halloween!
    J harvested his pumpkins. None
    grew very big but they are all very
    cute! xoxo :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We need to place an order with Pam's pumpkin patch.

      Delete
  5. I'm like you, when Carlos was late from works it meant he was dead on the side of the road.
    Cannot wait for the Halloween costume pics!
    Congrats to Hayden!
    I love wine, but I may pass on that brand!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Love Willie's advice, and good for you for sticking with it. So cool about Hayden! You guys would love the Oregon coast. There are so many different trails and places to go. You can take day trips up to Astoria and down to Tillamook and stop at every little town in between!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Astoria has always been on to-do list.

      Delete
  7. Your Grateful Journals are brilliant. It's all those special small moments that add up to some pretty good memories.
    Have you chosen your costume yet?

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'm not an anxious person but I can be a worrier. I sometimes catastrophize. Adult daughters and a grandson don't help with the concerns since there are always personal, professional and emotional things going on with them. My late husband used to smooth out the rough edges; I have to work hard at letting go of fears. I'm better than I was, as you would say! I love to read which helps take me out of myself. I like the idea of your gratitude journals. Meditation sounds helpful...or a nap!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Meditation always leads to a nap for me, Margaret.

      Delete
  9. I understand the anxiety. I don’t get a lot sleep because of it. I do find reading pleasant novels to be soothing. And I waste a lot of time on Reddit.

    That paper towel meme also applies to TP. I spend too much time doing mental math trying to figure out which package is the best price.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I also waste too much time on Reddit, Bijoux.

      Delete
  10. I'm embarrassed to see that the wine pictured comes from my tiny province. Jost is our best known wine producer. I can't imagine the name was accidental, and while it's funny it's also in questionable taste, in my opinion.

    I'm glad you've found concrete ways to help with anxiety. It's amazing that just a small change in focus can have such a big effect. Maybe it's time I tried that again. When my dad was in the nursing home after his stroke, and I was under a lot of stress from every direction, I did keep a thankful notebook. When I looked at it a couple of years later, I was struck by how many times I included my husband. At the time, I didn't realize how much he was helping keep things together. I'm glad I re-read them when I did.

    I love the beer/dogs meme :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What a small world, jenny_o. Besides helping with the anxiety, the journals, like you mentioned, are a nice reminder of what was happening.

      Delete
  11. I've always seen you as someone who recognizes how fortunate he is. I guess I never realized the effort you put into being that way.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha. It does take a lot to make me presentable to the world, Debby.

      Delete
  12. Will you be bronzing that pair of pinkies?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I believe that is a great idea, Joanne.

      Delete
  13. I've never tried a grateful journal, but if I did, it would end up where all my other journals are....10 pages and then a big fat nothing. The fact that it works for you is fantastic. We all need tools that help us deal with stuff. For me, that's reading fantasy sci-fi, or sometimes post-apocalyptic books (maybe once a year, they sometimes really freak me out).
    Can't wait to see the costumes! I love both of those characters.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Finding the right tool is definitely the key.

      Delete
  14. I talked about typos the other day. What's it called when there is no typo but you read one into it anyway. I read the first line of this post, "I finished my third grateful journal." as "I finished my third grade journal." I was confused. I read it correctly the second time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think the word you are looking for is drunk, Mike.

      Delete
    2. Unfortunately not anymore. My gastro guy says no alcohol, no caffeine, and nothing spicy. And I really don't care about the first two and the last one has always been a 'hell no' for most of my life.

      Delete
    3. I can relate, Mike. My gut is getting pickier and pickier as I try to age gracefully.

      Delete
  15. You should take on a language. Any. I'd chase my ancestry and find out what language my grandparents or great grandparents speak. If you wanna be practical, take the language your kids are learning.
    And if it makes you feel better, I'm a maniac with the 'what ifs'. It's my downfall. Have to keep that under control because it can get ugly.
    And that wine? Absolutely fabulous.

    XOXO

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good to know, Sixpence. I was going to grab a bottle for Mrs. Shife and thanks for the suggestion.

      Delete
  16. Sorry I'm late for the party. The Grateful entries are nice, for a second I thought you were going to talk about your days as a Dead Head which would have really surprised me. Rather than guitar, you should take up the bagpipes. Their always the life of the party.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Never got into the Dead, Dave R., but that would a way more interesting journal. I am grateful I dropped 6 tabs of acid and didn't go insane. Ha.

      Delete
  17. I don't know what it is, but trying to keep a gratitude journal (recommended by everyone including my therapist) makes me feel like an idiot. You're inspiring me to try again :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good luck, obscure. Just start being grateful for the little things like taking a nap or the sunshine or having a good meal.

      Delete
  18. A while back, I changed my evening prayers to reviewing the day and giving thanks for the grace I experienced. I like your ideas of your notebooks. And a pub/dog adoption concept does have it's problems. Never drink and adopt! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I would definitely be the guy who tried to take home 15 dogs.

      Delete
  19. I have given up trying to identify Halloween costumes anymore. Too much time from the 80's has elapsed. I just tell them they are scary, cute, etc. and toss them a candy bar.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nothing wrong with that plan, Ed. Good luck this year.

      Delete
  20. Napping always counts! That's really cool you've been doing grateful journals. Occasionally, I do jot down some gratitudes, but haven't made it a regular thing. I appreciate those who are consistent with it, good for you!!

    ReplyDelete
  21. can't wait to see the kiddos in costume and football action..and ? I'm with Willie..

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment