Gratitude Journal

As we wind down from the holiday season I can’t help but reflect on the many parties I’ve hosted and the one I didn’t host. For several years my husband and I invited guests to join us for a Thanksgiving gathering of family and friends that totaled about thirty-five. We invited guests to arrive in time for cocktails and dinner on Thanksgiving Day and stay with us through Sunday. We held this gathering at our home in the Hamptons where we have plenty of room and there’s still lots to do that time of year.

Upon arrival everyone was greeted with my homemade warm spiced apple cider (rum optional), an itinerary for the weekend and their room assignment. There were lots of activities planned and guests were invited to join us or choose from options they could enjoy on their own. Mornings included yoga, SoulCycle and, weather permitting, long beach walks that concluded with steaming mugs of hot chocolate topped with homemade marshmallows. Lunches were often at local restaurants and planned around an afternoon movie or gallery exhibit. Friday night we’d all head to the local bowling alley where we’d break into teams for a few games and savor the simplicity of a hot pizza. Saturday night was always leftovers and bingo, and with this family reinventing leftovers was often a sport.  Of course the weekend kicked off with a Thanksgiving Day feast!

We haven’t hosted this gathering since my father passed away, and recently I found a copy of a note that I created for our guests at the last party. It inspired me to share it with you, and to consider bringing this party back.

I wrote this note, rolled it up and tied it with a silky orange ribbon.  It was left atop a leather bound journal that was wrapped in paper and kitchen twine and placed on every guest’s pillow, with a little chocolate. Inside the journal I included this quote:

“Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” — Marcel Proust

Dear Guests:

A few years ago I was encouraged to keep a “Gratitude Journal,” a diary of things for which I’m grateful. It is quite simple, really.  At the end of your day name at least five things you are thankful for and write them down.  It doesn’t have to be anything enormous it could simply be “my daughter hugged me when she came home from school,” “a friend called just to say hi,” “my husband told me how much he appreciates me,” or “I was able to carve out time to start that book I’ve been wanting to read.” Reflecting back on the day in this way helps me focus on all the wonderful, positive things in my life.

Advanced research at the Institute of HeartMath and elsewhere has provided evidence that gratitude is not simply a nice sentiment or feeling. Sustained feelings of gratitude have real benefits, including:

• Biochemical changes – Favorable changes in the body’s biochemistry include improved hormonal balance and an increase in production of DHEA, the “anti-aging hormone.”
• Increased positivity – Gratitude exercises, such as journaling, can bring about a greater level of positive feelings.
• Boost to the immune system – The IgA antibody, which serves as the first line of defense against pathogens, increases in the body.
• Emotional “compound interest” – The accumulated effect of sustained appreciation and gratitude is that these feelings are easier to recreate with continued practice. Experiencing an emotion reinforces the neural pathways of that particular emotion as it excites the brain, heart and nervous system.

Most Americans reflect upon feelings of appreciation on Thanksgiving so we felt it was the perfect day to start your journal. We ask that, between now and dinner time, you think of five things you are grateful for.  Simple things!  Share them with us at dinner and we hope you will be encouraged to start a “Gratitude Journal” and feel the delight of counting your blessings.

With Love, and much gratitude for allowing us to share this holiday with you,

– Annie, Michael, Kayla & Gigi