one of the simplest things i’ve done that has made a huge difference in my life is keeping a gratitude journal.   it’s an app i have on my phone and at the end of each day, before i sleep, i think through my day and write down all the things i’m thankful for.

so i thought i’d give you a glimpse the things i’m grateful for today  (i’ve removed some names of friends for their privacy)

+ was able to watch nadal play at wimbledon.. although he did lose, it was a great game

+ enjoyed a beautiful day at the snow : it was so sunny, hardly any wind, and surprisingly little queues even though it was a weekend and during school holidays!

+ grateful for my friends who always make every snow trip so fun and enjoyable

+ have such awesome snow accommodation so close to the ski tube.  i can’t believe it takes me less than 40min to get from perisher ski tube back home.  that’s getting off my ski boots, unpacking gear into the dry room and changing into normal clothes.

+ got to ski quite a lot today. i’m amazed how much ground i can cover when skiing alone with no queues.  would have actually been happy to go home after 2h of zali and excelerator.

+ found a great article on tow for my first faith + work lecture next week

+ first time bringing my own lunch to the snow: was just the right amount and it wasn’t squashed

+ found a cute cafe that makes good hot choc on the snow… got to remember to bring cash tomorrow as it’s cash only place

+ able to spread my enthusiasm for my soft boiled eggs “machine” with my snow friends

+ even though i don’t have family here, feel so blessed to be surrounded by good friends

+ so happy when friends of mine received answers to prayers that we have been praying together for months

+ able to surprise a friend for his birthday today! yay.. it worked 🙂

+ happy for friends of mine who are pregnant 🙂

+ c3 : so grateful to be surrounded by awesome role models and people with such huge servant hearts

+ being able to use a friend’s ski locker.  yes!  no need to lug skis and poles up and down the hill!

and this list could go on and on…

when i first started this gratitude journal years ago, i struggled to find things to be grateful for and i made myself find 3 things to be grateful for.  some days, it was a real effort to come up with 3 things and i remember one day my gratitude was i can breathe. it’s ok to start small – the important thing is to start! (which by the way, is what i’m doing with this blog).

now, i stop once i reach around 10.  some days, even before my day starts, i write things in my gratitude journal – almost like declaring things i will be grateful for.

keeping this gratitude journal has trained me to constantly look for things to be grateful for.  now, if for some reason i forget to write in my journal before i sleep, i always wake up in the middle of the night. i think it’s safe to say that thankfulness is well and truly ingrained in my system now!

here’s a photograph i took at the snow today.  i sat out in the sun today having lunch and enjoying this view!