Gratitude chain 🔗

We’ve all heard about the transformative power of gratitude journaling, but Casper ter Kuile’s book The Power of Ritual introduces an inspiring twist: the gratitude chain.

A gratitude chain starts with one thing you’re thankful for and naturally connects it to the next. 

For example: “I’m grateful for last night’s dinner with friends, which reminds me of the beauty of the tableware we used, which brings to mind family celebrations around our dining table, which leads me to my grandmother’s cooking—each of these moments fills me with gratitude.”

As you build your chain, unexpected memories and connections begin to surface, creating a rich tapestry of appreciation.

But why is gratitude journaling—or gratitude chains—so impactful? 

Because it shifts our perspective. As Ter Kuile reflects:

"Gratitude gives us a new story. It opens our eyes to see that every life is, in unique and dignified ways, graced: the lives of the poor, the castoffs, the sick…Your life. My life. We all share in the ultimate gift: life itself. Together. Right now."

Happy journaling,

Kelsey

Most journal prompts you’ll find here draw inspiration from the books I’m reading. Below, you’ll find the books and weekly themes so you can read ahead if you’d like. Reading isn’t necessary—it's simply an option if a particular theme sparks your curiosity and you'd like to dive deeper. 

Here’s the schedule:

• Week of January 13th - Theme: Creating rituals. Book: The Power of Ritual

• Week of January 20th - Theme: Connecting & communication. Book: Nonviolent Communication

• Week of January 27th - Theme: Finding purpose. Book: Man’s Search for Meaning

• Week of February 3rd - Theme: Tools for Life. Book: Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before?

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Want to find more prompts? You can scroll through all previous prompts here.