Pictures of Gratitude

Back to my blog!

I've missed you people. We've been through a crazy ten months what with this pandemic and all. It was hard for me to get to my keyboard and write a blog during this time. My blog is about grandparents and grandkids and that was hard to write, what with most of us grandparents being isolated from our families due to Covid. But things are looking up a bit, so I'm writing my blog again. Besides, it was on my new year's resolutions--tee hee.

A reminder about Gratitude Journals~

I've written about gratitude journals before. I also think they are/were a great way to get through this pandemic. When the days seem long and you can't be around friends and family, you can go to your gratitude journal...or START ONE! It's like the old church hymn--"Count your blessings, name them one by one..." But I was reading about a twist on this. Take some pictures for your gratitude journal. This piece of advice posted on Facebook reminded me of this endeavor:

There are at least three ways to use photos on your cell phone to make you feel gratitude. 

The first one is listed above, simply take photos as you go through your day. Now mind you, you don't have to do this every day, but sometimes. It is fun to go back and look at photos. Sometimes on Facebook, a friend will suggest posting the last picture on your phone, or the 12th...whatever it is. I always get a kick out of going back to see what was the last photo. It's just small things like this that get us through the day and bring a smile.

The second one is about using a list of specific photos to take as you go on your morning walk or as you travel to the grocery store (wearing your mask of course!), or bop around the house. Here's a silly list to complete as you take those photos:

1. A relaxing place
2. The biggest tree
3. Something shiny
4. The sky
5. Something red
6. A water feature
7. Flowers
8. A shadow
9. Light
10. An animal 
11. A pattern
12. A mailbox

We're lucky to have our youngest grandchild come to our house after school. Who doesn't like to take a picture of a sleeping baby or child?

Walking to our vegetable garden to harvest some greens, I caught a glimpse of this garden gnome that my husband had moved from it's usual spot. I had to snap a picture--it just made me happy--this gnome peeking over the flowers.

This one is from the list--it said to take a picture of a cozy spot. This is my cozy spot.

Back in the spring when we were home-schooling, I snapped this picture of my husband and our grandson. It simply made me happy.

Of course when you're on a nature walk, if it's at sunset, you've got to take that picture.

I live in Houston, so often times when I'm walking, I can snap a picture of some water fowl.

But wait! There's more!

The third idea is to simply have a photo gratitude journal that is nothing but photos of things you love or enjoy. Or just slip those pictures into your regular journal. It's all about living in the moment and realizing your blessings. It simply makes you happier!

My precious 90-year-old mother-in-law loves photos of her kids, grandkids, great grandkids and soon to be great-great grandkids! She doesn't want photos texted to her. She wants what she calls "hand copies." You know, photos she can hold in her hand. When we send her pictures, she keeps them all in a box, and delights in pulling out that box and going through those photos again and again. I think a lot of us do that. So you might try it--keep a PHOTO gratitude journal.

A peek inside my gratitude journal. It can bring you much joy if you decide to try it.

One last idea for picture-taking that I happened onto~

This one was billed for young parents, but of course it's great for us grandparents too, when we are fortunate to have our grands or great-grands visit once again. I think there are some great ideas on here. I'll post the link at the end of my blog.

And there you have it! A different take on gratitude journals using photographs.

I think in the past year we've gone through some difficult days--from the pandemic to the trying times in our nation. I'm always looking for something that will put a spring in my step once again. I think a gratitude journal is one way to go. Try it, you'll like it.

And as I always say, if you have some ideas for gratitude journals or family photography, please share. I love to hear from my readers. 

Until next week just sign me,  Gigi of Gigi's Seasonings. 

"Taking an image, freezing a moment, reveals how rich reality really is."  Anonymous

The website with ideas for taking candid shots of your children:

​cravemycreative.wordpress.com/2012/12/15/30-day-photo-challenge-of-your-kids-december-16-january-16/?epik=dj0yJnU9MkRUM2hQRlM4LVgzck5jSy1OMlRTbDRlRC1yTmtKQVomcD0wJm49bnVyNjhZMmJIUXNTREhMU05IYmJLQSZ0PUFBQUFBR0FUSG9R

​My other blog about gratitude journals:

​www.gigisseasonings.com/blog/happiness-journals