Known for its bounty of beautiful blossoms, the season for planting seeds and watching them grow, and that special day for honoring one of the most important people in our lives, May is here! Named after the Greek Goddess Maia, this celestial being is associated with nature, gardening, and motherhood, all wonderful things to celebrate this month. Yay for May! In addition, I’ll be commemorating May with a new self-care activity. This one is about fostering and conveying the four A’s which I’ll tell you about next. Before I get to that, I’d like to share my refreshing April experience with you!
From my journal: April 20, 2025, Newbury Park, California
“…have been drinking lots of water every day…it makes a huge difference!”
The simple act of drinking water, especially the right amount, really improved how I felt all month long. I noticed a pep in my step, my mood was bright, and I felt nourished. My goal in April was to consume at least eight 8-ounce glasses or 64 ounces every day. While I did what I set out to, three of the 30 days I may have benefitted from upping the amount. On a week-long vacation in Utah, we spent most days hiking. I was aware of the drier climate and higher elevation, and I did consider the hours of outdoor exercise, but drinking even more water would’ve been a good idea. I know because on those particular days, I felt a bit fatigued, headachy, and my eyes and throat were dry. Telltale signs of needing more replenishment.
In preparation for last month’s self-care activity, I mentioned that I bought a Stanley Quencher 30 oz. Tumbler, in a brilliant shade of pink I might add. Knowing that all I had to do was fill it twice, and drink a little less than half of the water in my Natural Life 16-ounce bottle to meet my daily quota, helped a lot. Once I was in this routine, I didn’t have to calculate the ounces of water I was consuming. It was so easy! And being aware of how important water is in keeping our bodies functioning well, I will continue to raise my glass or should I say glasses, to this fortifying healthy habit!
The four A’s that comprise this month’s self-care selection include: Attention, Acknowledgment, Appreciation, and Action. All are elements of gratitude. I have so much in my life to be grateful for and so many blessings to count, yet, with all that is happening in our communities, our country, and our world as of late, I can’t help but feel weighed down.
From my journal: March 3, 2025, Newbury Park, California
“News is constantly upsetting…feel down…so many changes…why? It’s all so unsettling.”
The uncertainty of our economy, the blatant disregard of our nation’s laws, and inhumane treatment of people around the globe are hard to hear about, think about, and do something about. Given all of this, I wanted to choose an activity that would be a relief from the chaos and remind me of the good that still exists in our world.
It’s been my experience that “What you seek, you shall find,” so I’ll practice the four A’s every day in May.
- Attention – Although many positive things happen each day, I’ll focus on one of them.
- Acknowledgment – Once noted, I’ll consider who or what contributed it.
- Appreciation – I’ll make an effort to really “feel” it’s importance.
- Action – I’ll express my gratitude to fully realize it.
Being grateful can reap many rewards. Among them is a reduction in stress, negative emotions, and anxiety. People who concentrate on what they are thankful for report feeling relaxed and peaceful and say they even sleep better! This attitude of gratitude also strengthens relationships with family, friends, and co-workers, and can result in more pleasant interactions with anyone you meet.
Because writing is such a powerful tool, I will commit the four A’s to pages of a journal each day. And for the fourth component, Action, my gratitude will also be expressed verbally with kind words, physically with a hug, in a note, text, or phone call. I look forward to sharing my experiences with you next month.
Germany Kent said, “Gratitude is one of the most powerful human emotions. Once expressed, it changes attitude, brightens outlook, and broadens our perspective.” My hope is that this will ring true.
A Journal Journey 