Every year my children send me their wish lists for Christmas. This year I decided to send them my own list. Actually, there was only one thing on it. Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about happiness and how I believe it is the ultimate currency. If you are happy, nothing else matters. To be happy regardless of circumstances is extremely valuable. I’ve also seen a lot about gratitude and how being grateful can keep you happy. And I heard about how keeping a Gratitude Journal can change your perspective and help fuel your supply of happiness.

So this year, I put Gratitude Journals in the mail to my three children at the beginning of December. For Christmas I asked them to start posting in them. I thought we could share some of our thankfulness over the Holidays when they’re all home and I’m trying to figure out what do to as a family. I want that forced family fun. Am I asking for too much? I don’t think so. It’s the only thing on my list, well almost.

Anyway!!! I told them their entries didn’t have to be big things, although being thankful for family and health are great, you could be thankful for being able to sleep in. You could be thankful that there was no line at the coffee shop. You could be thankful that it was raining, and you didn’t have to go out for food because your had leftovers in your refrigerator. It’s the small things we sometimes forget to appreciate.

I’m hoping that by writing down what we are grateful for each day could add to my family’s happiness. We’ll see what happens. Stay tuned.

PS  My husband and I are keeping gratitude journals as well. This morning I wrote that I was thankful that my car had a remote starter so it would be warm at 7am when I get in.  It is the little things. What would be in your journal?