Could you list 10 things you are thankful for in 2 minutes? Could you do it in 5, 10 or 20 minutes? Perhaps a better question should be, do you really need that much time? Lately, I’ve been feeling out of sorts and not at all motivated. I think I have a bad case of the winter blues (winter is my least favorite season) and I’ve been trying to figure out how to combat them. I was in Barnes and Nobles yesterday looking for a book for my son. Somehow I ended up in the journal section. There on the third shelf was this pretty brown leather bound book with “Gratitude Journal” etched in the spine. I was intrigued so I picked it up. It’s a book of blank pages with 10 numbered lines down the page. According to the instructions, you are suppose to list 10 things you are thankful for everyday. I decided this would be a great way to beat those winter blues and gladly headed to the cashier.

I don’t know why I thought it would be easy, but it really wasn’t. Of course, I listed the obvious things. I’m gratefully for my health, my family, friends and other loved ones. I am grateful for my successful business…and…and…man this is really hard I thought to myself. I was finally able to list 10 things but wow…it took me almost 30 minutes. I guess that’s the point really. It shouldn’t be that hard. There is plenty to be thankful for and this journal has made me more aware of it. It has inspired me to really look at my life and be thankful for even the smallest of things.

I know I’m not alone here so I thought I’d share my experience and hopefully awaken something within you. Are you thankful?