How Do You Do Gratitude?

The Chronicles of Elizabeth ~ Episode 6 ~ How Do You Do Gratitude?

Dear Diary,

I am home with my family for Thanksgiving. I am sitting in my room where I grew up and I know I should go downstairs and help my mother with the Thanksgiving dinner and I do not want to. It has been nice being home but I do not really feel like being here. I am here out of obligation. Yet there is no where else I would rather be.

I just want this trip to be over and I want Christmas over. I really do not like the holiday season. I kind of feel torn. I do enjoy being around my family but I am reminded that I am alone.

My coach asked me to journal about what I am grateful for during this holiday season. I do not feel like it. I am home with family and it always seems to be one drama or the other but I am trying to get a hold on what I am grateful for.

I have had this problem for some time where I know I should be grateful but I just do not feel it. I feel numb sometimes instead of gratitude and when I told her this, she said to have compassion on myself and find more focused ways to enter into gratitude.

So I am to direct my focus on gratitude and just make a list.

So here goes:

I am grateful that I got here safely.
I am grateful that the flight was on time.
I am grateful that I am in a warm home.
I am grateful that the weather is mild.
I am grateful that I am with family over Thanksgiving
I am grateful that I have a lot to be grateful for.
I am grateful for the clothes on my body.
I am grateful for a warm bed.
I am grateful for this laptop I am writing on.
I am grateful for my job.
I am grateful for my home.
I am grateful for my car.
I am grateful for my friends.
I am grateful for my mother and all the cooking she is doing.
I am grateful for my nieces and nephews. I love those kids.
I am grateful for the yummy food and all the wonderful baking that my mom has for us.

Wow! I really do feel better making that list. I am surprised.

Next part of the assignment is to now write out how I want this holiday to play out.

OK, so here goes:

I am pleasantly surprised that I have lovely time with my family. We laugh a lot. It is easy. It is fun. It is nice. Thanksgiving meal is absolutely delicious. Mom’s stuffing was so good. I love that we are a family. I enjoy making the toast. I enjoy feeling at home again. I enjoy relaxing and watching football with everyone in the basement when dinner is over. I have a nice time with Mom. No one asks me questions about who I am dating. It is just a nice relaxing time and we all just enjoy each other’s company. The kids are so cute. Everything is amazing to them and it is nice to see the world through their eyes. Hmmmm… I am grateful for family this holiday season. I really do enjoy being part of this family.

Just a nice time! That is all I want.

OK! Now this is supposed to help pre-pave what I want for this weekend.

I do feel better.

I guess I will go help Mom now.

O by the way, no shopping for me tomorrow! I cannot handle the crowds!

Liz