This will get you in the Grateful Vine

Hello ,

One of my friends sent me this question: “Ann, how do I start being grateful?”

Before you say, “Grabe naman ‘yang friend mo”, stop. Just your judgmental self is showing. We both don’t know what my friend is going through, really.

And yes, based on the question, there are people who are struggling on being grateful. But I appreciate my friend asking it because it means my friend wants to make a change.

I believe that being grateful is innate in every human being. We tend to forget what is innate in us because of our experiences.

I also believe that being grateful or ungrateful is in the mind. If you think you are worthy to receive, then you are. If you think you are not worthy to be given anything, then you’re not.

Here’s a tip for those of you who are starting the Gratefulness Project: Have a Thank You Journal.

Journal means notebook. You know, the paper? ‘Yung binibili sa bookstore or sa school supplies? ‘Yung hinahawakan? Yes, that’s a notebook. FYI: Sinusulatan ‘yan. So you’d need a pen, too.

I also prefer you having a specific notebook for the Thank You Journal for two reasons: one, you won’t forget it and two, there is power in writing.

Kung makulit ka pa din at gusto mong i-type, I require you to print what you typed. So ang advise ko ay huwag kung makulit; sumunod ka sa instructions, okay?

Starting today, I want you to list down 10 THINGS that you are grateful for each day.

Sampu. Ten. Dies. Hindi lima. Again, huwag makulit. Whether big things or little things, you will write it down. You don’t filter.

Here’s a sample from my Thank You Journal:

“Dear God,

I thank You for:

1. I was able to buy copywriting books from Depository.

2. My brother printed my documents.

3. I was able to plan and write all website layouts for my website re-branding.

4. The Feast Bay Area.

5. 4-hour chat with one of my college buddies.

6. Conversation with my godsister’s mom.

7. First exercise in more than a month(!). I am trying, really.

8. I did not feel well last night. I thought I was going to have a flu. But I was okay as soon as I woke up.

9. The Joy and Ann Show episode 47 is out today!

10. One of my friends offered to share his Thrive Themes access to me. Not possible, though, because we have separate web hosts. But I appreciate his kindness.”

Then, after that, list down 10 THINGS you are grateful for even if it hasn’t happened yet. Whether big things or little things, you will write it down. You don’t filter.

Huuwwaaatt?! That doesn’t make sense. Why be thankful for something I haven’t seen or grasped or felt?

Because, my dear exceptional people, it means that you are believing that the blessings are coming.

Here is an example, again, from my Thank You Journal:

“I thank You in advance for:

1. I’m finally using my iMac starting this week.

2. Another happy The Joy and Ann Show taping.

3. Another round of Mastermind calls.

4. I’m finishing my clients’ tasks today para makapanood ako ng Spiderman: Homecoming bukas.

5. I am posting my copywriting blog soon.

6. Smooth bank transactions.

7. Awesome meeting and learning from my JV partner.

8. Rain. Please?

9. I’m on-boarding another client by the end of the week!

10. I hope the social media VA potential applicant screening would go well. I am excited to hire my very first VA!”

I challenge you to do this for one week. SEVEN DAYS. PITONG ARAW. Then e-mail me what you feel or what happened.

I have been doing this for a long time now. Siguro magi-isang dekada na. Before, I used to be thankful for what I only received. As I kept on learning, I am now also thanking for the things that I haven’t received.

And I address my journal to God, because He’s the source of everything. I don’t know what religion or spiritual belief you have. My point is, I do not address my Thank You Journal to myself because I believe that even if I work hard here on Earth, if there is nobody there somewhere to help me, then I won’t have anything.

Are you game for a more grateful life?

I am excited for you!

Stay Exceptional,

Ann Kristine