Day 7: Gratitude for Challenges
Journal prompts to express gratitude for the challenges we encounter
It’s Day 7 of the Gratitude Reset series, and as we wrap things up, we’re going to tackle one of the trickier areas: expressing gratitude for challenges. It is often through the challenges that we learn the most about ourselves, and that’s why I think it is important to make them a part of a balanced gratitude practice.
Below you will find the audio track for Day 7 and the transcription of the intro/lead-in to the meditation and journaling. The journal prompts are also listed below, in case you aren’t able to listen. As always though, I recommend listening to help create the full meditative journaling experience.
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Lesson 7: Gratitude for Challenges
Welcome back. This is our seventh session together, and today we will focus on having gratitude for life's challenges, big and small.
We'll explore being thankful for our own weaknesses, life's little setbacks, and the difficult situations and relationships we've encountered.
Often, where gratitude comes into play here is for what we've learned from these experiences. For instance, perhaps a challenging relationship taught you how to set better boundaries, a skill you've carried on with you throughout your life. Life's challenges can ultimately teach us what we truly value and are thankful for.
Today we have four journal prompts that will be focused on past challenging experiences, and then we'll end with a fifth and final prompt to help us apply this gratitude to current or future challenging situations.
Journal Prompts:
What are some reasons for me to be thankful for my character flaws? How do they help balance me, what do they teach me?
Looking back, what setbacks have been redirections that I am now grateful for?
What gifts have come out of challenging moments in my life?
What have my most difficult relationships taught me?
Looking now at the challenges I'm currently facing in my life, and to any that may come in the future, how might I begin to plant the seeds of gratitude for what they are teaching me?
What did it feel like for you to express gratitude for these challenges? Do you think this is something that you’ll continue to incorporate in your gratitude practice? Please share your thoughts/reactions!
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With much love & gratitude,
Marcy
I always thought I was toooooo honest & on the face...for a long time I hated that aspect of me terrified I'd hurt someone. But as an adult it's drastically changed! As the trust in myself increases, I realise how much people crave for that honesty and perspective. I always tell them to do a free back and forth...and the depth of conversations, respect and understanding is beautiful ❤️.
Also about my traumas. It's allowed me to develop deep deep empathy for others (especially women) which wouldn't have happened otherwise. I genuinely believe I wouldn't have been the person I am today without any of the incidents. And I love myself today. So how could I not love my past too?
It’s interesting that this has appeared because I have a challenge at the moment that I said to my husband “what am I meant to learn from this?” I guess in a way it’s being able to see it for potential to grow and learn rather than as some kind of punishment. I’m not quite sure I can be grateful for it yet, but I’m not resentful. I’m giving myself time and grace to reflect on how I might respond and the steps I can take to move forward with expansion.
Interesting. Thank you!