![I heard recently that the two most important needs for a human are to be fully and wholly loved and to be fully and wholly known. Having lost a child, there are things that I feel that not everyone can understand and leaves a lot to be desired on the fully and wholly known side of the equation.
On the eve of Mother’s Day and with Father’s Day on the horizon, it is important to point out that these holidays are not all the Hallmark commercials make them out to be. There are people who feel a hurt similar to ours in that they have children that they cannot hold, hug or see. On the flip side, there are children (of all ages) who can only imagine what their parents would be like or are trying to navigate the new normal without one or both. And a group that knows the hurt of missing both [parent(s) and child(ren)].
As these holidays creep up, say a prayer for the people that fall into any of the categories. Remember how blessed you are if you have both your children and your parents. Call or text someone you know who may be struggling with the holidays to remind them of the fact that they are known and loved by the people in their circle.
We know that only God can fully know and love us, but we also know that we are His hands and feet. The physical manifestation of a God that we cannot see.
To anyone that fits into any of these categories: I love you and pray you are able to find joy in a time you may very well dread.
To the people that have sent extremely thoughtful cards, flowers, gifts and messages: thank you for making this season more manageable. You are simply the best.
Counting it all Joie,
Ryce](https://i0.wp.com/www.rycespieces.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png?w=1100&ssl=1)
In this blog post, we will unlock the art of finding gratitude through contentment journaling.
This blog post is all about contentment journal prompts to create and keep a contentment journal.
Do you have contentment in your life? Not sure. Ask yourself this. Do you ever find yourself making lists of things that you want to buy or acquire (that aren’t food or water)?
I’m guilty of it. I’m constantly thinking about what I can get next. It could be anything from the latest notepads from the Target dollar spot to the next credential I want to get or even the next update I want to make to my home.
There isn’t anything wrong with any of these things, but there is also nothing wrong with the notepads, credentials and home décor I have now.
But what if those things make me happy? It shouldn’t matter. Our goal is to be content not happy. Happiness relies on a never-ending supply of things or experiences to satisfy the desire. Contentment or contentedness is a state of introspection that only requires a level of acceptance and appreciation for the things one already has.
(Note: This blog post includes affiliate links. This means that I’ll receive a small commission if your purchase through one of these links at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure policy here.)
We recently got the opportunity to go to a World Series game. A WORLD SERIES GAME. While it would have been great to be able to have seats behind home plate or in a corporate box, we have a budget and we were blessed to get tickets in our range. We also would have loved to see the home team win, but as history would have it, the home team didn’t win a single game in this series.
It seems trivial, but it’s just an example of how quickly we can be discontent. The point is: we were content to check a World Series game off of our Life To Do Lists. No edits necessary.
This month will focus on identifying what things are affecting your level contentment and implementing small changes that can increase that level over the next 31 days and beyond.
Setting Up A Contentment Journal
Since we’ve already created our template for what we are going to do each month, the task of copying prompts and setting up this month should be fairly easy. If you are finding this page first, check out my post on how to start this journal here, then pop back over to get the contentment journal prompts.
Contentment Journal Supplies
Best Journals for Keeping a Contentment Journal
Notebook or journal Options
I typically use a Filofax for my journal prompts about love. My Malden style journals (A5 or half letter and personal) have held up for years and they have gotten well loved and soft.
I am able to take out the old pages and store them. It is also easier for me to print new journal pages than it is to find another journal every year.
If you are new to journaling, I would go with a less expensive option. Amazon has several styles of one-time use journals that can be used if you prefer to store the entire journal at the end of the year.
Malden A5 | Malden Personal | Saffiano Personal | The Original Personal | Domino Personal
Paperage Hardcover (160 pgs) | Joyeux Harcover (160 pgs) | 2 Pack (365 pgs each) | 3 Pack Paperage
Supplies for Gratitude Journaling
When it comes to supplies for your love journal, you can be as extra or as minimal as you would like.
Pens and highlighters are a necessity for journaling. I tend to change up the color each month so that it keeps thing interesting. Here are a couple of my favorites:
Papermate InkJoy | Papermate Flair | Flair Dupe | LePin | Zebra Mildliners | Mildliner Dupe
I love stickers for journaling. Something about love journaling pages makes me want to decorate. It could be the excitement. I could be that I’m a sticker hoarder and need to use them at some point. These are some old faithfuls that I have used over the years:
Month Stickers | Month Tabs | Quote Stickers
Washi Tape is always fun for starting a journal. It can correct mistakes and cover edges. If you’re not a fan of tabs, you can use washi tape to decorate edges of a new month. There are so many options for washi tape. I’d suggest getting a couple sets and using them for each new year journal spread or setup.
Solid Thin Washi Tape | Solid Thick Washi Tape | Grid Washi Tape | Patterned Washi Tape
Journal Prompts for Finding Contentment
- Write a statement of gratitude for to meditate/pray this month
- The main focus of my thoughts is…
- What are you most grateful for?
- When was the last time you breathed and smiled?
- What does contentment mean to you in this season?
- What area of your space are you going to declutter this week?
- List 5 things you are blessed to have.
- How can you show that you appreciate the things you have?
- If I’m feeling less than, I remind myself that …
- What gives you a grateful heart?
- How does contentment play a role in your gratitude?
- I’m satisfied with my …
- What makes you feel the most comfort?
- What is something that didn’t go as planned, but you’re grateful for anyway?
- What’s a little thing that makes you happy?
- Even if I desire other things, I’m grateful for …
- My inner circle is the best because…
- I have shown appreciation to the people closest to me by…
- I have enough…
- What have you encountered lately that made you realize you are enough?
- One way I showed I had a heart of contentment today was…
- What percentage of the things in your closet do you actually wear?
- What is your best physical attribute?
- On a scale of 1 – 5, are you currently dissatisfied (1) or content (5)? Why
- What is one way you could live more simply?
- How content are you with your financial situation?
- What is influencing your contentedness right now?
- How can you maintain or improve your level of contentedness?
- Who exemplifies contentedness and what can you adapt from them?
- Are you content with your work? What could be improved?
- Looking back over this month, I can truly say that I am blessed because… *
Use this optional prompt at the end of month. If you want to track any other memories, add them at the end of the month. This isn’t the primary focus, but it’s always fun to keep fun memories.
Scriptures for Finding Contentment in Life
Scriptures are an excellent source of comfort and contentment when we are struggling to find peace in our lives. There are so many reminders in the pages of the Bible that let us know that we lack nothing. We can look to the Bible to find contentment meaning.
Philippians 4:19 is a verse that lays it all out there. We tap into His riches… not ours.
This is a powerful reminder that God will provide us with all of the contentment and peace that we need. Scriptures like these can serve as great sources of hope and comfort when we are struggling to find contentment.
Consider using these scriptures in your daily journaling and see how you find contentment in the Bible.
Gratitude or Contentment Journal Ideas
Here are a couple of ideas for the end of the month recap:
- Make list of things that you are content with and be mindful of this list
- Write a reminder of why you are content with your current life for reference
- Keep a log of when you feel discontented
- Reflect on the scriptures for this month and refer back to them when you feel discontentment
Contentment is something that is difficult to achieve in a society that is constantly bombarded with advertisements and images of a life that’s better.
I know this is just a contentment journal or gratitude journal, but you can always take it a step further and make a commitment to be more mindful of the things that we are blessed to have.
If that means limiting social media time or turning the TV off, do it. “Life is uncertain.” That being said, we should strive to collect as many memories as we can with the people and places that mean the most to us.
Finding Contentment In Life
Take inventory of the people and things you have in your life during this month. Consider it a happiness journal. Then look around and see how many people are wishing for the very things you have available to you. When I really did this, I found that I was more blessed than I could have ever imagined.
I have family and friends who love me, the ability to eat whatever I want, an education that affords me options and enough things to last me a lifetime. My guess is that you have something that looks very similar.
Contentment exercises are helpful for the next time you feel like you “need” something else or if you feel envy creeping in.
Why a Contentment Journal is Necessary
We are all blessed. It’s easy to want more or to think that we need a new (insert thing we don’t need here). Contentment boils down to satisfaction. My hope is that after reflecting on all of the things we realize how blessed and fortunate we really are and become genuinely satisfied.
Through this contentment journal or gratitude journal, I hope that each of us has developed a level of contentment that affords us more fulfilled lives.
![I heard recently that the two most important needs for a human are to be fully and wholly loved and to be fully and wholly known. Having lost a child, there are things that I feel that not everyone can understand and leaves a lot to be desired on the fully and wholly known side of the equation.
On the eve of Mother’s Day and with Father’s Day on the horizon, it is important to point out that these holidays are not all the Hallmark commercials make them out to be. There are people who feel a hurt similar to ours in that they have children that they cannot hold, hug or see. On the flip side, there are children (of all ages) who can only imagine what their parents would be like or are trying to navigate the new normal without one or both. And a group that knows the hurt of missing both [parent(s) and child(ren)].
As these holidays creep up, say a prayer for the people that fall into any of the categories. Remember how blessed you are if you have both your children and your parents. Call or text someone you know who may be struggling with the holidays to remind them of the fact that they are known and loved by the people in their circle.
We know that only God can fully know and love us, but we also know that we are His hands and feet. The physical manifestation of a God that we cannot see.
To anyone that fits into any of these categories: I love you and pray you are able to find joy in a time you may very well dread.
To the people that have sent extremely thoughtful cards, flowers, gifts and messages: thank you for making this season more manageable. You are simply the best.
Counting it all Joie,
Ryce](https://www.rycespieces.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png)
Leave a Reply