An attitude of gratitude- my 30 day challenge

I had been hearing a lot lately about the power of having an attitude of gratitude.  It is way too easy to get caught up and focus in on the things that are wrong in our life, but what about all the things that are right!  As a mom to children with sensory processing issues and one with selective mutism, it is easy to ask "Why me?" and focus on what is going wrong on those days where EVERYTHING is a struggle.  Can positive thinking really change how you preceive things?  I decided to become intentional with this and so I took on a 30 month gratitude challenge and started a gratitude journal.

What a better month to focus on this than November, a month where we focus on our blessing and giving thanks. I got a journal and each night before bed, I thought about my day and wrote down atleast 3 things that I was thankful for that day.  I also wrote down the best moment of my day and then some of the challenges I faced and what I am learning from them.  Some days were easier than others.  We went to Disney for a week with my family, where it was pretty easy to find things to write about, but then two days after we got back, my dad had to be helicopter to the city for an unexpected emergency heart surgery that 9 out of 10 people do not survive.  We were told that there was a good chance he might not survive and it was devastating.  Those nights were a lot harder, but I still wrote in the journal and you know what?  Prayer and having that positive attitude really helped me through and allowed me to take things day by day instead of focusing on all that was wrong.  My dad made it through his surgery and even though he is still in the hospital on the long road to recovery, he is going to be okay.

After a few days of journaling, I started looking for things during my day that I was thankful for, so that I could remember them for my journal.  I would pause to take in the moment and appreciate it, when in the past I probably wouldn't have given it much thought.  Things like snuggling my son on the couch, my warm cup of tea, getting a big hug from my youngest when I was crying about my dad, spending time talking with a friend, and watching my son's silent bravery as he ordered his food at a restaurant all became more meaningful.  It helped me to recognize the little things, which made me feel more happy, thus more grateful.

I honestly didn't think doing this journal would have any effect on my thinking, but in just a few days it was easy to see the power of positive thinking.  Gratitude really shifts your mindset and can be such a positive tool.  I encourage you to try it yourself, especially in the day to day struggles you may be facing with selective mutism and sensory processing in your life or someone's you love.