My New App…..
By
I used to have a gratitude journal. I kept it by the bed and wrote 6 things in it each night that I was thankful for.
Sometimes it was wonderful things, exciting things. Sometimes it was the smallest thing, seemingly insignificant. Somedays… it was all I could to do to find anything at all. On those days I wrote things like, “I am grateful for breathing” or “I am grateful for at least having something to eat”… (which, let’s face it… is a lot more than some people can say).
But life being what it is, I got busy, I started to forget to fill it in… and before long… it was not a part of my life anymore.
I had been thinking about starting up the tradition again. I understand what a valuable tool it can be for staying positive…. especially when life is challenging.
The plan was to find a really pretty notebook…. you know… not too girly (that’s just not me)…. but decorative enough to signify that it is something important. But I never really found anything that floated my boat. So I found an app.
Yes that’s right…. I have an iPhone app which is a Gratitude Journal. It’s BRILLIANT!! I love it. It’s so convenient because I always have my phone on me. I don’t have one more thing I need to carry around. You can customise it, add pictures, quotes….. it’s really cool.
And the best thing is…. when things get tough and the temptation is there to accept a pity party invitation…. just grab the phone, open the app, and take a look back at all the wonderful things I found to be grateful for during the past week, month etc.
It is extremely difficult to be grateful and depressed at the same time.
So try it…. even if you are not smart phone literate… do an old school gratitude journal. Once you start focusing on the all the positive things in your life, they multiply. The smiles multiply. The happiness multiplies. And before long you realise just how fortunate you truly are.
54 Comments
OK – that was an easy conversion! Which appdonyou use?
Should read – which app do you use! Need an iPhone keyboard control app too!
http://happytapper.com/gratitude-journal
This is the one I use… and I really like it.
Ok sister…what’s the name of the app? Not for me, as I have a stupid phone…but I do have a friend (well, i do) who could use a positive reminder daily. fess up, come on…give us a ‘link’. hehe
R
http://happytapper.com/gratitude-journal
I found it through the app store on the iPhone.. but I looked up the weblink for you. I am sure there are others out there, but this is the one that I have, and LOVE!!
thank you for the link. I’m passing it on as we speak. This is an awesome idea! I’m so glad you shared it.
xo
R
That’s great. I am glad I did now too
I like it! Might just start one myself!
be well& be safe!
Thanks Michael and lovely to see you here
it is a brilliant idea! wouldn’t it be wonderful to add those to other social networks, say tweeting challenges or facebook ones? a book of gratitude…oh wait, I think I’m on to something, photographed by you! an ebook of large and small additions, hmmm…
I think that is just a wonderful idea
I keep a gratitude list. I’ll have to see if there is an app for the ipad.
I am pretty sure you can have the same iPhone app I have on the iPad. And if not, I am sure there is one.
I love how the phone lets it always be with you. I’ll have to look into that….for now, it’s old school for me.
I am starting to get everything on the phone… my to-do lists, my goal setting, gratitude journal…. everything. I travel a bit and hope to travel a lot more, and the less I have to carry the better
Yeah, I changed up to a netbook I can carry absolutely everywhere, and it feels like my whole life is lighter. I’m liking this paperless revolution…though I still enjoy a nicely published book.
I must admit to adoring my Kindle though… all those incredible words of wisdom all in one small place… and now I even have the kindle app on the phone
And it doesn’t gather dust!
It’s a great idea! I went to a retreat years ago where we all started gratitude journals. The same thing happened to me. After a while I just let it go. I love the idea of an app! I was just talking with another blogger about gratitude journals. Can’t remember who! Thanks for a great tip, Tracie!
You are so welcome. I even have a reminder set on my phone so I don’t forget to fill it out
that’s cool! I would need that!
Just remember the solar charge for your iphone
It’s funny, when I keep a journal, I normally fill it with all the bad things I feel, and the low points of my life. And I find it incredibly useful, because when I want to write such feelings in stories etc, I can always turn back to my journal and get authentic feelings, rather than just listening to Jewel and The Cure on repeat.
I hope you also journal about happy feelings as well
so true, i do it on my blog every so often.
That’s great… thanks so much
I love this!!
Thanks Nicole
Interesting you mention this. I’ve been aware of this ‘tool’ to the Source for a long time, and have used it periodically.
Timeline brings back consistent well being while using it. I, too have dropped off from using it,. It does not drop all negative but, there is an increased ability to proceed, positively.
It turns out, it is quite an important tool for your life. All who speak authoritatively on the subject of a positive life, recommend it for its’ potency within the universe.
It does not matter how you characterize the ‘Source.’ It is where a universal connection is made, and they explain it very well, in the book, ‘The Tools’ of which I am currently reading.
So, I too, am going to re-establish this ‘tool’ in my life.
The picture above is a testament to the beauty that can be established with b&w. Thanks for the brilliant reminder.
I think that SO many people recommend a gratitude journal is because it really IS affective. I resisted it for years. I first heard about it well over a decade ago, but just didn’t believe that something so simple could be so affective. Plus I am very lazy when it comes to physically writing stuff down. That is where this app really helps me… and with the iPhone 4s.. I can just dictate my list, I don’t even have to type it….. how grateful am I for that!!!!!
I must check out this book the Tools…. sounds very interesting.
Hey Louise, great post. Like you i started a grattitude journal and like you i have driffted, it’s still on my dressing table but having been distracted by ‘that’ book my journal hasn’t moved. The app sounds great but i don’t have that sort of phone but i must get myself back to that place where it’s good to have a ‘great attitude’ to all that i have
It can take some discipline to continue to remember to fill it out…. but I really feel that the benefits are totally worth it. Thanks so much for commenting
Excellent idea for practice. I would add that the idea arises from where you already are in your mind. Good example for all of us. Thanks.
You are so welcome… and thanks so much for commenting
Feeling very left out as I haven’t yet graduated to the world of apps but nice to know it’s out there waiting for me. I can put that on my list of things to be grateful for!
How’s that for turning negative feelings into positive feelings?
That is exactly what it’s all about. I didn’t understand apps until very recently.. but my son is totally into them, and he guided me. I don’t have hundreds like he does… but there is a couple of very useful ones out there. Thanks so much.
That is a nice, nice idea! let’s say, I am grateful for meeting bloggers like yourself in the virtual space!!
I also use iPhone for many things, too. You may already use Evernote, which is a great app to keep all your thoughts and webclips…
Actually I haven’t seen Evernote yet… must go check it out… thanks for that. And THANK YOU SO MUCH for the kind words. Blogging has introduced me to some of the nicest people in the world.
I love seeing how you are consciously making an effort to bring more light and positivity into your life, and that you are sharing it with your readers. I’ve been hemming and hawing about starting a creative project, and your post nudged me another notch in that direction. I always tend to argue against something done simply for the sake of creativity or creative expression, but if creative expression can help us maintain a positive attitude, then obviously it has value, whether or not the end product is ever more than a simple exercise in creativity. Thanks for nudging me gently in the right direction.
p.s. that photo, in muted tones of black and white and gray … well, it rocks.
You are so very kind… thanks so much xxoo
I am so happy to read this… and I very much hope that you enjoy some creativity for creativity sake…. it’s incredibly good for your soul.
Hi Tracie Louise, Whilst I don’t keep a gratitude journal either in electronic or paper form, I make a point of making a mental list last thing at night. I have certainly found the practice useful in keeping the waves of despair at bay.
I have enjoyed viewing your images of the world in close up. Bugs are beautiful, colourful, intricate and very strange.
Thanks so much…. I am so glad you enjoyed my bugs
I wrote a post some time back about doing what you are talking about here :
http://tracielouisephotography.net/2012/02/29/being-grateful/
Awesome! Gratitude to go!
“Gratitude to go”…. classic!!!!!!!
I’ve had similar experiences with my gratitude journal practice: easy to come up, or falling back on the very basic. I”m glad you found the app, & that it works for you:) It’s a good practice, for sure. I’m going to see in there’s one for Androids!
I am sure there is one for Androids… Thanks so much
I am going to install right away… Had such a gratitude journal myself and like you I stopped at a certain moment and let if flow…but it’s great doing it and I will use it if I can find the app. Thank you so much for sharing this xoxo
You are so welcome… and here’s hoping that you have LOTS AND LOTS to be grateful for