Twice a month I attend a call as a member of a coaching group made up of people establishing and growing businesses as coaches. The other members are very good at bringing in discussions of Positive Psychology and personal strengths.

That means that pretty often they talk about ways they record their gratitude, because research has shown that the active practice of recording specific reasons you felt grateful during the day increases your happiness. It leads to improved mood and a brighter outlook. That sounds pretty good, doesn’t it?

I have practiced gratitude, but never established a consistent habit of reflecting and recording my appreciation daily. During my discussion with Tapa Palapa podcast co-host Francie Cooper when we were planning for this podcast on gratitude during times we are overwhelmed, I realized I can record specific instances of gratitude in a post on my blog and publish the journal occasionally.

This is my first time to do that. I didn’t put things down daily and I didn’t put more than one per day. Ideally I will record them daily and write three to five things each day. But it’s a start. When I have several entries I’ll post a sample. This time I’m including them all, because I only recorded four.

Want to try it? Want to help me get better at this? Listen to the podcast and hear our suggestions for the many different ways you can record your gratitude. Find one that suits you and then give it a try. Come back here, look for the Gratitude Journal category, and post a comment about how it’s working for you. I will post in this category from time to time with summaries from my journal and encouragement for you to try it or keep at it, asking what results you’re getting and sharing my own.

Nov. 2: I am thankful that Francie recommended a great format for planning content for Tapa Palapa.

Nov. 5: I am grateful that we got to visit my wife’s brother’s family and see our 2-yr-old nephew and 5-mo-old niece for a while. I’m also grateful they live close enough we get to see the children on a regular basis as they’re growing.

Nov. 6: I am grateful for meeting new friends Jude Olson and Alise Cortez this morning when we met to plan details of the Renew Retreat.

Nov 7: I am grateful that my mother and stepfather were able to attend our son’s guitar recital, and that they are able to attend many of his activities and be closely involved in his life.