A friend of mine has the license plate ‘GGR8FUL’ on her Cadillac. She takes nothing for granted. She is full of JOY and grateful for every aspect of her life.

One day, when she stepped out of her car at a fancy restaurant, the excited young valet asked, “Wow, you’re part of the Grateful Dead? Can I have your autograph?” Tickled pink, she signed ‘G D’ on her business card and handed it to the smiling valet. “Thanks,” he said as he looked at the scribbled initials on the back of the card.

At times, gratefulness seems like a lost art to me. From as far back as I can remember, our parents raised us to be polite to others and thankful. We worked for our allowance, sometimes doing more than our share. We studied hard for our grades in school. We learned how to act like decent human beings when out in public.

Lately, I have noticed people in restaurants and stores acting as if they deserve good service from the waiter, waitress, or store clerk. Some children and teens seem to think their parents owe them something. Many married couples take each other for granted.

Is saying ‘thank you’ so difficult? Would it hurt us to smile warmly at the people around us? Why do some people have trouble appreciating those who love, pamper, and support them?

This morning, we took the two youngest granddaughters to a build-a-bear hour at the resort where we are staying. The two-year-old chose a beautiful white kitty and the five-year-old selected a husky puppy. We stood in line for their newfound friends to receive wishes and stuffing. I marveled at the JOY plastered on my precious grand’s faces.

A boy about seven finished building his tiger, and I watched as he hugged the stuffed animal, peered up at his mom, and said, “Thank you.” His sweet smile and genuine words melted my heart; her expression was priceless. She took the boy in her arms. I believe the boy was thankful for the stuffed animal, and I imagined gratefulness filled his mother’s heart not only at his sweet nature, but at the pleasure she could give him.

As I waited to see if my grandchildren would say thank you, I began to think of what I’m grateful for in my life. The usual popped into my mind—husband, children, grandchildren, a roof over my head, health. I pondered if my manners might leave a little to be desired at times. Do I show my loved ones, friends, and other people I meet along the way, my gratefulness for them?

I remembered a time in my life when sadness made it difficult for a thankful spirit or JOY. I reached into my tote bag and pulled out my Gratitude Journal. When I opened the book, a smile erupted from my face.

More than twenty years ago, after a time of contemplation and sadness, I began my journal. At first, because of my clouded mind, I wrote down precious memories from the past. However, I soon developed the habit of writing everything I’m grateful for as JOYful events happened.

If gloom or bitterness strikes, the journal holds the key to unlocking my mood. Whenever I experience a bad day and need a pick-me-up, I open the book at random and read about the JOYous times in my life—times of gratitude.

I believe God created us for happiness, but we sometimes lose our way. It’s not feasible to think we can be happy all of the time. However, we need to take control of our unhappiness and turn it around. No one else can turn our frowns upside down. We are in charge of putting JOY in our hearts.

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Do we take our lives for granted, or are we grateful for where we are in life? Do we wallow in continued sadness and unhappy lives? How can we pull ourselves back to the JOYful times?

Gratitude Journals are one tool that can put life back into perspective for us.

Here are some of the gentle reminders in my Gratitude Journal—proof of the JOY I have experienced in my life. As I look through the book, I realize I have experienced much more JOY than sadness. I am truly blessed.

I am grateful for………

God – my life and the awesome world I live in

Birth – my children and grandchildren; the JOY they bring me every time I see them

Time alone – the quiet times I can pray, sort my thoughts, and write

Nature – a great country where I can explore and seek its beauty

Flowers – the sweet fragrance and colorful petals, and the bees and hummingbirds as they travel from flower to flower

Smiles and laughter – their contagiousness that turns even the sourest mood around

Color – that my eyes can see the myriad of colors around me and help me choose beautiful materials for my quilts

Food and water – the food that keeps me alive and unending water that quenches my thirst; some people have very little and I take the ability to eat and drink for granted at times

My mother – her health and energy; the time we spend together

Walks – the use of my legs and feet while I enJOY the outdoors

Sounds around me – the waterfall and pond in my back yard and birdsong

Friends – my forever friends and new friends I meet as I travel through my life

I have a choice in the matter of gratitude—I can take life and the things that transpire in my life for granted, or I can be thankful for the goodness and JOY in each day. No one else can make me happy or force me to be grateful.

At times, I may need to dig deep inside and fight my way back to JOY and happiness. When I open my Gratitude Journal, I experience thankfulness and remember what it feels like to be full of JOY. I once again encounter life with gratitude, contentment, and a happy heart.

May you find new things to be grateful for today, my friend, and fill your heart with JOY.