Walking one chilly morning last week, I saw low clouds hugging the surrounding mountains shrouding them in gray. Fragrant blooming flowers and the smell of freshly cut grass greeted us as we strolled through neighborhoods. And when we passed by our local elementary school, we heard kids laughing and shrieking. It made me smile. All typical sights and sounds this time of year, but change is in the air. I can feel it. It’s the anticipation of mid-morning sun rays streaming through our windows, being enveloped in warmth when stepping outside, and picking ripened veggies from our garden. It’s thoughts of relaxing at the beach, traveling to visit family and friends, and churning ice cream at home. Especially coffee flavor, my favorite! Summer is on its way! Hooray! Also coming up is my June self-care pick. All that is required is my imagination and my art supplies. But first, I’d like to tell you about my May gratitude experience.
From my journal: May 2, 2025, Newbury Park, California
“Finished decorating my Gratitude Journal…so pretty! Flowers, of course!”
In preparation for recording my four A’s of gratitude- Attention, Acknowledgment, Appreciation and Action – everyday in May, I chose an orange colored journal with lined pages. Then I embellished it to make it even more inviting to write in. I loved this self-care choice for a few reasons. First, it gave me the opportunity to review all that happened each day. Not only relating to my regular activities, but those unexpected occurrences and interactions that make life more interesting and often teach us something. I was astounded at how many things I could say I was thankful for on any given day. For instance, I met two friends I used to volunteer with for lunch. Kathy and Heather surprised me with a succulent plant in a cute blue and yellow mug tied with a yellow ribbon! How thoughtful was that?!
While it’s easy to be grateful for things that make us feel warm and fuzzy, I also found I appreciated a few that I wouldn’t label as “positive”. Like learning my cholesterol level is a bit high. In an effort to increase my bone density, I’ve been eating more protein, but now I’m consuming too much. While I was upset hearing this at first, now I’m grateful that I’m aware. This news has given me the incentive to try new plant based and alternative meat recipes. I had forgotten how versatile and tasty tofu can be!
The second reason I enjoyed counting my blessings is that I went through each day looking for them. This made me more present, and my hours, days, and weeks moved at a much more relaxed pace. And the third upside of having an attitude of gratitude is that I got the chance to take action and express my appreciation. Thanking people with focus and intention through notes, texts, in person, and with phone calls felt more meaningful to me and to them.
Now on to June’s self-care choice! Cleaning out a garage cabinet recently, I discovered a book I bought during the pandemic. I remembered glancing through it at the time, but now I will put it to good use. The “5-Minute Art Journal” offers 300 prompts for creative expression. Some involve drawing and painting, and others include thinking outside the box and writing. A few examples include creating a treasure map, adding a paragraph to a story, and coloring an image. Ha! What fun!
There’s so much to like about this activity. I like that it is quick, just five minutes, and each single task will help me practice mindfulness, which is scientifically proven to increase mental focus and physical health. I like that it’ll be tapping into the problem-solving part of my brain which can lead to feeling calmer, happier, and more self-aware. I also like that I’ll get to use a variety of my art supplies! Watercolor paints, acrylics, charcoal, markers, and more. Yippee! I can’t wait to share this experience with you next month. And now I’m ready to take five!
A Journal Journey 