I’ve always been a journal-er. I remember as a child, I used to write down my inner most thoughts in my journal or diary. I stopped journaling for a while, and started focusing on my blog. However, last year I picked it back up and started a gratitude journal. It was a dedication to my little cousin who lost his life last year to gun violence. Before he passed away, he was working hard and wanted to give us a small Christmas gift. I used the money to get a journal and a nice pen. His bright personality made an indent in each and every one of our lives. My goal was to use the journal to write down those small blessings that we sometimes take for granted. It truly helped me to grow and appreciate the small things.

Oprah Winfrey shared, “I know for sure that appreciating whatever shows up…