As a proud member of the middle-aged club for quite some time (about ten years?), I have intense and deep gratitude for any gifts that G-d has bestowed on me. Whether these gifts are innate skills that I’ve managed to hold onto somewhat consistently, or spiritual heights that I reach for moments at a time, or mindfulness that achieve intermittently, or even material possessions that help me in my life, I’m grateful.

I’m grateful for my family, my friends and my acquaintances. I’m grateful for my career, my home, my garden. I’m grateful for my hobbies, my children, and my children’s and my maturity every single day.

Why am I rambling about my gratitude? Here’s why:

Back in mid-February, I purchased a Gratitude Journal. I’ve always randomly made “gratitude lists” over the years. But this is different. It’s five-year journal with space to write a few short lines each day about what I’m grateful for that day. I like this journal for many reasons.

a) No one gets to read it except me. I write whatever comes to mind and that content of my writing is between me and my colored pencil (which I love using, when I’m not just grabbing the closest pen nearby).

b) The exercise makes me more aware of all the things I have to be grateful in my life. Some days I pick only one thing, and other days I choose two or three to squeeze into the space for the day. But never has it happened that I had nothing to write. Because at the end of the day (literally), I’m the one who decides what to write about gratitude.

d) The activity is challenging in that I attempt to write unique entries every day. I never (or almost never) repeat the same gratitude. At the least, I have a new angle on the gratitude for the next day.

e) This hobby makes me feel accomplished. Even if I don’t feel as if I’ve gotten so much done during a day, at least I know I’ve filled in my gratitude journal. Some days are neat and well-written, and other days are just scribbled sentences expressing a short thought. But I rarely skip. And if I do skip a day, I catch up a few days later.

f) The gratitude journal has served as a diary for me. Often I look back on old days and I can tell from what I’ve written, what has been going on in my life that day or week.

I highly recommend this activity for anyone who is inclined to try it. Remember, it’s between you and your colored pencil (or marker, pen, or crayon!)

And knowing that is enough to be grateful for.