A Serenity Journal: 52 Weeks of Prayer and Gratitude

How would you like to find serenity and personal transformation in just minutes a day? To achieve this, the author--formerly a New York Times writer--presents a powerful new method of journaling that taps specific exercises to express gratitude. "Serenity begins with gratitude," says the author, and "grows with forgiveness." She offers readers a guided path that shapes one's moods away from anger and negativism and deliberately toward joy, peace, and optimism.

Each of the 52 weeks of this journal contains an excerpt from an inspirational work, broken into passages to provide a thought for each day. For each day the user records his or her gratitude, wishes or needs, and miracles already present in life. Focusing on blessings already bestowed helps to "program" one's self for optimism and ultimately break free of paralyzing attitudes and behavior. The author also explains the power of prayer, types of prayer, and adventures in and obstacles to prayer. She shares anecdotes about how she discovered and benefited from this new way to journal. A concluding section shows how to deal with the moods and "shadow side" of one's life.

This is an ideal all-occasion gift or personal pick-me-up that can be started any time of the year. Its structure works for both longtime journal keepers as well as those who have been unsuccessful so far at keeping a journal. Spiritual seekers and anyone interested in a new way of praying will find it enlightening. Pastoral counselors, retreat directors, and spiritual directors will find this a nonthreatening tool to help people deal with loss, pain, and other changes.