Yes, I know 2023 has already started.
And I failed to keep a daily Gratitude journal last year. Even though keeping a gratitude journal and noticing and acknowledging daily gratitudes are some things that research shows are good for our emotional well-being, I didn’t do it.
When things didn’t go according to plan, which felt like most days- I felt emotionally drained and overwhelmed.
Closing my eyes to the day felt easier and less hassle than reflecting on it and giving thanks!
At the same time, last year, when I scribbled down a response to the journal prompt “One Good Thing That Happened To Me Today,” my mind felt clearer, and I drifted off to sleep in a better mood.
So, I scrolled through last year’s journals and diary updates to see what Good Things happened that I feel grateful for, and I am sharing them here with you.
If you’re feeling down and don’t want 2023 to be another year of nothing good going your way, I hope you find encouragement in the 60 Good Things that happened to me — even though it was a challenging year for you, my loved ones and me.
As always, anything you read that catches your eye, see that as a sign to see if you can add that moment or something similar to your day.
Gratitude: 60 Good Things That Happened to Me In 2022
- The morning sun signaling the start of a new day.
- My daughters took my good friend Jacqui and me to the Bob Marley musical Get Up Stand Up for our birthday treat.
- Visiting my friend Sonia at her new home. What a dream come true.
- Participating in the in-person week-long Radical Darshan Yoga Teacher Training Retreat. After studying together online for over nine months, it felt good to meet in real life finally.
- Pain-free knees. Bliss!
- Thankful for the dentists who helped me care for my teeth and gums. Investing in a pink Oral-B electrical toothbrush. My mouth feels fresh and clean every time I use it.
7. Recommitting to twice daily flossing. Not fun, but now an essential part of my oral care.
8. My daughters’ past and present bunnies for the joy and pleasure they bring to our family.
9. Lulu, my oldest daughter’s new kitten, reminds me that life is an adventure to stay curious and play and explore fully.
10. Visiting the Slavery & The Bank Exhibition at the Bank of England Museum with Sally, a dear friend. The exhibition was harrowing, yet pleasing to finally see an institution acknowledging its role in the trans-Atlantic Enslavement Trade.
11. Receiving a scholarship to participate in the fourth cohort of the Mindfulness-Based Inclusion Teacher Training Course. Delightful surprise.
12. Maintaining a consistent morning routine.
13. My goddaughter for being such a fine divine human. I can’t believe she is now 40!
14. WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger help me stay connected and chat with friends and families globally. Massive gratitude.
15. Saying good morning and good night to my parents.
16. My brother, John (1961 to 1997). And cousin Sherry (1967 to 1995). I love and miss you. Rest in peace, and thanks for your love and guidance.
17. My Online Business buddies and friends for their dedication and commitment to encouraging me to keep going; for their healing and care for my heart.
18. My faith and connection with Spirit.
19. Hanging out with my buddies, Sharon, Mutka, Rosanna, Jane and Boys, Courtnay and her fiance, and more… after a looooong absence.
20. Deep bows to all the Culture Makers working actively and behind the scenes towards peace, justice, unity and making our world safer, kinder and sustainable.
21. My daily dose of yoga and movement practices from Youtube creators, particularly Feldenkrais Movement Teachers Stewart Hamblin and Alfons Grabher, and Yoga Teachers Black Yogi Nico Marie and Yoga with Kristen
22. Airline staff, customer service and attendants who diligently looked after my parents and me when our flight was delayed.
23. Afternoon walks with mum.
24. Ability to draw upon self-soothing mindfulness compassion practices to help settle my nervous system when triggered by events. (h/t Erin McCarthy and Sara Schairer, and Burrell of Compassion It)
26. Morning walks with Alice around our local park.
27. Text messages from friends sharing their news and funny memes.
28. Endless supply of homemade brownies and vegetables from my neighbour, Helen, from her allotment.
29. Daily-ish Yoga Nidra practice when I intentionally rest during the day.
30. Sitting in silence as part of my morning meditation.
31. Getting back into writing, including contributing to The One Thing I Wish I Knew Before I Started Yoga round-up post in the Twinkl Blog and enjoying connecting more with my email newsletter readers.
32. Learning to listen more to my body.
33. Taking time to consciously rest when I felt tired instead of pushing through and ignoring my body’s need for rest.
34. Feeling physically stronger than I did in 2021.
35. Daily dose of inspiration from all the writers, bloggers, Youtubers, and podcasters who inspire me and help me stay connected to matters outside my immediate concerns.
36. Learning to be kinder to myself.
37. Loving myself more by saying “no” more to others.
38. Reconnecting with my daily breathing practice after having COVID.
39. My dear friend returning home after being hospitalised with COVID. That was a scary time.
40. Learning how to teach and facilitate Yoga Nidra Meditation (h/t Scott Moore and Kristen McCarthy).
41. Immense joy in seeing and hugging my daughters when I finally returned home.
42. Waking up to the sound of roosters and birds.
43. Building up the habit of taking better care of my finances (h/t Wendy Petties for her fun FB posts)
45. My lower back for holding out and getting stronger.
46. My aunts, uncles, cousins and family friends for always being here for my family and me.
47. Listening to the wide selection of meditations on Insight Timer and Liberate Meditation App
48. Grenada chocolate. Their chocolate is divine and my guilty pleasure — any time of the day!
49. Dad and his care for the family.
50. Getting a lay-in, having a hot shower and feeling safe and warm inside.
51. Listening to hear the birds chirp as I meditate.
52. Discovering The London Writer’s Salon and participating in their daily Writer’s Hour.
53. My daughters and I now have a growing collection of houseplants!
54. Our family gardener and how she is transforming our garden.
55. Flickering through the photo gallery on my phone. So many happy memories.
56. The local grocery and vegan take-out store near my parents’ home. Yummy.
57. Offering full moon meditation as part of my business buddy, Dr Helena Liu’s Wayfinders programme for scholar-activists.
58. My daughters treated me to my first mani-pedi cure with all the bells and whistles. I felt so loved and decadent.
59. Hanging out with my cousin, Roslyn and her sister in Grenada.
60. Celebrating my 60th birthday!
Take Away Lesson
Goodness me.
Listing the 60 Good Things I experienced last year was eye-opening.
Compared to the sense of being overwhelmed, tiredness and the upheaval my family went through, I enjoyed more fun, random intimate moments with family and friends than I thought.
So, I am thankful for taking the time to pause, reflect and acknowledge what I am grateful for last year and in 2021.
It does make a difference.
What about you?
Now that I have shared the things I am grateful for, I’d love to know if you keep a daily Gratitude Journal and what Good Things happened to you last year.
Please share and inspire others with your Good Things. And thank you.
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I originally published this article on Medium.
And click here to read my other inspirational articles on Medium.
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