Ready to Stretch Each Day?
A key to developing consistency is to figure out what works for you. I found that developing a daily journal system that I refer to as 3-2-1 has helped to keep me in a present moment state of mind. It is clear and simple, yet thought provoking and productive. Check this out and imagine how it can benefit you in your daily living.
Each night I write:
3 Things I am Grateful for Today
2 Things I have Learned Today
1 Thing I am going to Improve upon Tomorrow
I have found that this really opens my eyes throughout the day to learn new things. It can be something so simple that others probably already know, a tidbit of trivia or something absolutely life changing. For example, yesterday when I was driving with my son in the car, he pointed out a small window sticker on a car. He explained to me the meaning which I would have never known otherwise. It may not be life changing, but it is life learning. Now when I see that sticker I won't be quite so clueless to what my children are seeing around them that I may otherwise miss.
Guidelines to use for the writings are that they have to be authentic. By that I mean that they need to touch on a part of me today. It is amazing how often I can cheat myself of a true meaningful moment and growth by going for the obvious or even yesterdays moments. So, when I journal I really try to stretch myself to stay in the present.
Another area that is an incredible stretch is to write new things each day, specifically in the area of gratitude. It is really fun to see how many days I can go without stating anything I have listed before. We are each so very blessed. Even in times that nothing seems to be going as we planned, there is something that is working. I have found that doing this each day breaks a habitual pattern of seeing only the big stuff (much like not even noticing that sticker on the car before-now I notice them quite often).
Find the time that works for you and place your journal notebook in a convenient place. Yes, Anywhere! In the car if you pick up kids in the car line, pick up coffee at Starbucks, waiting to pick up dry cleaning, in the bathroom for those private moments, leave it on top of your computer so that when you arrive at work it will be waiting before you start working, just wherever it works for you. Because you will be looking for things throughout the day, it brings you into a mindful state of what is happening right now and will make the time you spend writing in your journal shorter.
Have fun with this, don't stress, don't make it a chore, but rather have fun looking for things. Life is a treasure hunt, what will you find today?
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