How do you feel when you reach the very last page of a journal you’ve poured your whole little old heart into? Maybe a swell of accomplishment, an affectionate tug as you bid its pages farewell, an air of excitement when you consider beginning a fresh one, or maybe a sense of panic when you realize you don’t have a new journal to write in next. Is it just me? Perhaps you don’t journal at all and wonder what the fuss is about. Please allow me a moment to gush over Ann Voskamp’s GIFTS & GRATITUDES because I’ve just reached my very last page…
“I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.” ~G.K. Chesterton
Even if you’re not a full-on avid journaler, you may have dabbled in “gratitude lists” of some kind. It’s a well-known fact that acknowledging things you are thankful for gives a shift of perspective and improves your mood, at the very least. Writing them down makes it richer somehow. Like you’re claiming those delightful nuggets of goodness, those glimpses of grace that may be as flamboyant as “our European vacation” or as feeble as “my morning coffee”. Simple snippets.
I (like thousands of others!) read the original One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp well over a decade ago, and her gentle encouragement to look for gifts in the everyday and literally write a continual list of gratitudes, impacted my life forever. I pay attention more. Look for the good. Not in a Pollyanna-bury-my-head-in-the-sand way but in a way that marvels at the graces God shows me on a regular Tuesday morning at home.
And then exactly a year ago, I came across Ann’s new release: GIFTS & GRATITUDES—a year of one thousand gifts, and decided to give it a whirl. The format was different and I wasn’t sure if I’d love it… but a year later, I’m here to tell you I adore it!
It has a fresh approach to journaling everyday gifts—there’s space to write 3 little things you are grateful for each day (takes a minute or less!)—and then the next day you turn over. Eventually, you can look back and see what you were grateful for on that particular day of every month. Like this:
I suppose it’s somewhat of a highlights reel—except it includes the tiny and seemingly insignificant things you were thankful for like that dark chocolate or the Frenchie snuggles or not having to go outside in the rain. More your highlights REAL.
This beautiful book is also a devotional filled with tender, encouraging, wise words from Ann… and scrumptious eye-candy courtesy of her stunning photography from her home at the farm. (Oh, the sheep!)
So, yes—I have ordered my next one, which should arrive any moment and yes, I thoroughly recommend this journal as a gift for friends, family, or for your lovely self. Walk through the coming year with eyes full of wonder and heart filled with gratitude, friend!
This sweet middle space between Canadian and American Thanksgiving seems like the perfect time to pick up a copy! Feel free to peruse my reading recommendations and more—I now have an Amazon Storefront (woot woot!) with my affiliate links (details HERE) where you can find curated products I love, including this stunning book!
🇺🇸 My Amazon.com storefront “non-fiction books” is HERE. (Note: this book is currently almost half-price!)
🇨🇦 My Amazon.ca storefront “non-fiction books” is HERE.
Would you let me know in the comments below if you’re a journal writer, a gratitude-list keeper, or if you have any tidbits or tools that you love? Thanks.
Grateful for YOU…
P.S. If you want to stay up to date with all my writing news, plus enjoy book giveaways, reading recommendations, and baking recipes—be sure to sign up for my free monthly newsletter, LAURA’S LETTERS and get your freebie HERE.
