I go through phases when I am consistent in journal writing, but more often, when I am not. My excuse usually is something to the effect of "My life is so boring" and "What future generation will want to read this anyway?"
However, recently my journal has regular entries and I realize that I am recording small everyday things that I normally overlook. During the day I find myself anxiously thinking about what I will write in my journal that night, and it gives me incentive to do something worthwhile and make the little things count. I feel so happy when I can see my blessings right in front of me.
One of my favorite talks is An Attitude of Gratitude, first given by Thomas S. Monson in April 1992 Conference. Part of it reads,
This is a wonderful time to be living here on earth. Our opportunities are limitless. While there are some things wrong in the world today, there are many things right, such as teachers who teach, ministers who minister, marriages that make it, parents who sacrifice, and friends who help. We can lift ourselves, and others as well, when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude. If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues.
Our opportunities are limitless. My opportunities are limitless. I feel happy when I recognize the things I am grateful for; sometimes in prayer, sometimes in person, sometimes in my heart, and sometimes in writing.
