Joy Jot #1 Woot, Woot!
16 October 2023
Hello friend!
Thank you for reading my very first JOY JOT.
All of the people currently receiving this email are people I know — my friends and family…..so…..to my…
FAMILY— thank you for loving all of me — the sweet and the bitter.
HIGH SCHOOL FRIENDS —Thank you for being my friend as I figured out how to be me
COLLEGE FRIENDS — thank you for loving me as I figured out how to be independent
EARLY MARRIED FRIENDS — thank you for being my friend as a figured out how to be married
MEDICAL RESIDENCY FRIENDS — thank for being my friend as I figured how to be a mom
KAYSVILLE & FRUIT HEIGHTS FRIENDS — thank for being my friend as I figured out how to be a mother of 5, traverse through schools, sports, performances, teenagers and young adults.
FRIEND, thank you for being my friend as I figure out how to be a wellness coach, writer and speaker.
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Did you know that expressing gratitude is good for your health? It isn’t just Oprah who thinks keeping a gratitude journal is good for you. Research shows you and your brain change with gratitude.
A number of years ago I was in a conversation with a friend about her husband’s job situation. He had been out of work for over a year and had recently gotten a new job. I asked what helped her make it through that hard time. She said that she kept a gratitude journal. I was in a time of life when I felt sad and frustrated so I decided to try out this gratitude thing. I actually had never given gratitude practice a real go before. And honestly i didn’t think it would work. In fact, i totally doubted the idea. Like, would it mask real problems that needed to be solved? How would this change one thing?
I started anyway . I wrote in a note on my phone everyday just one thing I was thankful for. I tried to be creative (mix it up) and not just write “my family” every day.
My problems I was worried about didn’t go away. But in time, I felt happier.
My gratitude practice has shifted throughout the years, but I believe it does help me see the good in my life, create positivity, and keep me looking for more to be grateful for.
What does or could your gratitude practice look like? How does or could it bless your life?
BJ Fogg, in Tiny Habits suggests linking a new habit after a solid one — like, when I turn on the shower (while waiting for the water to warm) I think of one thing I’m thankful for.
How could you do one small thing to show gratitude today?
May you find JOY in your life!
With love and gratitude,
Amy
P.S. Good job everybody!
REFERENCES:
Tiny Habits by BJ Fogg
How Gratitude Changes You and Your Brain in greatergood.berkeley.edu
