Shifting My Focus (II)

I used to make a list of things that made me happy. 😊
Big things. Small things. Answered prayers. Surprises. A new pair of shoes. An unexpected text message - basically anything. And whenever I added something new to the list I'd read back on all the previous entries and smile. They had a way of expanding my heart and making me feel like the luckiest girl in the world. 👸
But somewhere along the way, I stopped updating my list because I convinced myself that it was silly and unnecessary to have one in the first place. Plus I figured that if something was that important, I'd remember it whether I wrote it down or not, right...?

It turns out I was wrong. 

Ever since I started shifting my focus more towards the present, I've realized that, for a while now, I have been less aware of all the good things that have been happening around me. In fact, my prayers have been more about me asking God for something and less about me thanking Him for what I already have.
Writing things down has always been my way of making sure that I remember the important things; and until now, I hadn't realized that this was the case for my spiritual life as well. My list of "Things that make me happy" not only made me happier and more positive about life in general, but looking back, I realize now that it used to make me more intentional about expressing my gratitude when I prayed.
That's why I've decided to start writing my 'Things that make me happy' list again, 😊 in the hopes that it'll keep my focus on what's important and make me a more grateful person in general. 
And I'd urge each and every one of you to consider having a similar list as well. Studies show that writing and reflecting on the good things that happen to you makes you a more positive and motivated person, and expressive writing makes you a happier person, too. 😉
With that said, I hope you'll make time in the coming week to note down anything that brings a smile to your face or makes you feel warm inside. 😊​

- ✗O✗O.