“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” Philippians 4:12
Gratitude Journal - April 19, 2021 Today, I am grateful for fully stocked grocery stores. Being able to drive to the grocery store, pick up pretty much any food item or ingredients you need is a gift. For grocery stores, I am thankful.
Mindfulness Journal - April 18, 2021 - Day 20 of 365 So, I’ve learned that there are many stops and starts with establishing a practice of mindfulness. Meaning, some days are valuable and move your training forward, and some days are not so great. Today was a not-so-great day for me. I found it difficult to focus; there was too much noise and too many distractions around me to allow for calm. I didn’t find what I was looking for. I know in the long run, having an off day is ok. There will be good days, and there will be bad days (like with everything). However, today’s failure hit me a little deeper because I feel like I needed the calm and the focus of a good meditation session. I’ve been deep in thought a lot today, focused on a personal problem, and I was hoping to sort it out during meditation. Instead, I just got stuck and couldn’t find my way out of it.
I’ll sleep on it and drive through it again tomorrow.
“The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.” Proverbs 12:22
Gratitude Journal - April 18, 2021 Today, I am grateful for honesty. There is nothing more hurtful in life than dishonesty and deceit. Further, there is no reason for it other than selfishness, fear, and lack of integrity. Just be honest. Tell the truth, especially to those for whom you are supposed to care. For honesty, I am grateful.
Mindfulness Journal - April 17, 2021 - Day 19 of 365 I completed my meditation first thing this morning in a peaceful, quiet house. For me, that is the key to success: a quiet and calm home: no one else up, no interruptions. Today was a good day.
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5
Gratitude Journal - April 17, 2021 Today, I am grateful for popcorn. Popcorn is an awesome snack and I enjoy it. For popcorn, I am grateful.
Mindfulness Journal - April 16, 2021 - Day 18 of 365 My meditation today focused on my breathing and how thoughts can impact the breath. When you are not actively thinking about your breath, it just works—air in, air out. You don’t even recognize that it is happening. However, when you start paying attention to the breath, you find that each breath is different. Each chest rise is more or less than the last, and the volume of air and length of intake continually changes. Anxiety can cause you to breathe differently. Exercise can make your lungs work harder. Everything you do can impact the automatic process of bringing air in and out of your lungs. Yet, we very rarely even think of what is happening. We are not present enough to recognize the subtle changes in our bodies. Mindfulness helps me bring this presence back to other parts of my life by allowing me to focus on the simplest of things and let everything else pass by.
“God has ascended amid shouts of joy, the Lord amid the sounding of trumpets. Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises. For God is the King of all the earth; sing to him a psalm of praise.” Psalms 47:5-7
Gratitude Journal - April 16, 2021 Today, I am grateful for getting up early and accomplishing a couple of my most important tasks. The quiet of the morning helps me achieve the things I need to without interruption. For this, I am grateful.
Mindfulness Journal - April 15, 2021 - Day 17 of 365 Today I focused on applying my mindfulness techniques to my stretching routine. Today’s routine was long and I use the breathing and focus techniques to help make the time and stress of stretching pass a little bit quicker. It worked very well and I was able to find clam while improving my flexibility. Big win.
“He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”” Psalms 46:10
Gratitude Journal - Apirl 15, 2021 Today, I am grateful for all the wonderful places I have visited in my life. While I am not a world traveler by any means, I have had opportunities to see much of the United States. Some of what I saw was from a bus window traveling during high school, other times I was traveling for work or a family vacation. Every corner of this country is unique, interesting, and beautiful. For this, I am grateful.
Mindfulness Journal - April 14, 2021 - Day 16 of 365 I worked overnight last night at the fire station and got very little sleep. As such, when I went to meditate this morning once I was done, I was concerned that I was just going to fall asleep. What I found was the opposite. I was able to focus better, concentrate more fully, and follow the prompts more easily. Today was a good day.
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Luke 16:13
Gratitude Journal - April 14, 2021 Today, I am grateful for crisp, clean, and fresh-smelling bedding. There is nothing better than crawling into a nice bed with clean sheets, especially when you are tired. I am looking forward to heading to bed soon. For this, I am grateful.
Mindfulness Journal - April 13, 2021 - Day 15 of 365 I started the day off today with some headspace and found some calm. Excellent.
“The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” Romans 8:6
Gratitude Journal - April 13, 2021 Today, I am grateful for Mr. Johnson. Mr. Johnson was a high school teacher who made me understand that I could do more and be more than I thought I could. He believed in me, and because of that, I tried harder and pushed myself. He wasn’t always nice, and there were times I thought he was mean, but today I realize he just cared. Not many people like that find their way into your life, and I am thankful that he was my teacher. Mr. Johnson died many years ago, but I have never forgotten him. For Mr. Johnson (and all the other teachers like him), I am grateful.
