Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Me time - the personal gratitude journal (with an ecojot giveaway - CLOSED)


I believe it's a testament to the human spirit that each January we think about how to better ourselves in the fresh new year that stretches out before us. Think of it. How beautiful is that? Undaunted by previous disappointments, we once again seek to add beauty and good health to our lives.

As I have mentioned many times, I'm regularly helped along with my goals by Sarah Ban Breathnach's inspirational book, Simple Abundance, a daily guide to living an abundant life. One of Sarah's strongest recommendations is to create your own personal gratitude journal to record some of life’s blessings each day. I have been keeping (and sometimes forgetting!) this practice for several years. I truly believe that by acknowledging the gifts that life has presented you with, you welcome more blessings into your life.


Carve Out a Space Just For You


Why not start this dreamy new year off by creating a space for yourself, a place that belongs purely to you? If you have your own desk, take some time to organize and weed through your personal papers so that you have a clutter-free spot to think and dream.

If you simply don't have a space in your home to claim for yourself, fill a lovely basket with items that belong just to you. That way you can carry your special pens, sticky notes and journals with you to a favourite chair or even to bed. I make sure I keep a set of pencil crayons for myself that the kids aren't allowed to touch. Who says adults can't colour with pencil crayons?



Your Personal Gratitude Journal


Once you have established a space for yourself, buy yourself a journal in a style that speaks to you. Something colourful and pretty or stylish and sleek. There's something about a lovely journal that inspires us to put pen to paper.

Each day, write down five things you are grateful for that day. It could be something as fundamental as your home, your car or your family. Or you might want to mention something more detailed, such as a painting that captured your attention that day, a treat you received from a friend or a favourite song that played on the radio.

On the difficult days (and we all have them) it's even more important to remember the good in our lives. Some days I am simply thankful for a hot cup of tea in a pretty mug. "It is in the smallest of details that the flavor of life is savored," says Sarah. "As you focus on the abundance rather than on the lack in your life, you will be designing a wonderful new blueprint for the future."




Enter to win $35 to spend on beautiful products from ecojot!


To help you on your journey to personal fulfillment, ecojot, the ethical paper company has generously offered to provide one lucky Woman in Real Life reader with a $35 gift card to spend on their gorgeous stationery.

I'm sure any girl would love to get one of ecojot's beautiful journals for Valentine's Day. And let's not forget the men - my hubby loves his ecojot sketchbook. Be sure to browse through ecojot's beautiful, uplifting designs, all printed in Canada on paper made from 100% post-consumer waste. Their products are available online and in hundreds of locations around the world.

Founded by the brother and sister team of Mark and Carolyn Gavin, ecojot creates eco-friendly journals, sketchbooks, children's sketchbooks, gift wrap, calendars, note cards and custom products. Each purchase of ecojot products helps a child in need in a developing country - a portion of each ecojot sale goes toward providing school supplies to kids to build their literacy skills. Find out more about ecojot by visiting them on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.

Residents of Canada and the United States may enter to win using the rafflecopter widget below until February 4th.


a Rafflecopter giveaway


Linking to Contest Canada

82 comments:

  1. The Giraffe and Growing Houses growth charts are both very cute!

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  2. I am in love with the weekly planners :)... and the note pads (the westie?!)...

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  3. Joann I'm a journal fiend! I have stacks... We have so much in common - it's almost like we're related...P.S. my husband is actually in England now so I'll be asking for decorating magazines - so his suitcase is a bit heavy, oh well...

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    1. Ha ha. Yes, it's like we were separated at birth. ;) I'm jealous about the magazines. I wish I was close enough to come over and read your magazines...and see you too of course, from behind the magazines. ;)

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  4. I love that the company is so heavily involved in important causes such as donating workbooks to children in need all over the world.

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  5. I like the Green Bird Greeting Card.
    My rafflecopter name is Julie G.

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  6. It all appeals to me but I really love the Pen Wood Jumbo Journal

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  7. I like the Celebrate The Season Cards, Code #33451

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  8. I love the Birds nest weekly planner.

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  9. The Wooden owl sketchbook would be nice
    jan

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  10. I love The only way... journal, it is really awesome

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  11. I love the journals, the Green Owl journal in particular.

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  12. I love the journals. Journals are amazing!! I like the ones with words of wisdom and animals.

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  13. The Best is Yet to Come Jumbo Journal
    -Lucy

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  14. I'm in love with all their designs! I have a crush on those inspirationnal journals, and the ereader cases are to die for! They're too cute!
    - Audrey T

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  15. I love journals and they have so many beautiful ones. A couple of my favorites are the White Colourful Quote journal and the Passion for life journal. They are affordable and come from an ethical company..fabulous combination.

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  16. Ecojot's Give Program is amazing! I love when people give back. Honestly if I won anything I would donate it to my 4th Annual Cupcakes for a Cure fundraiser that I'm having at a mall on Feb 9th. Last year we sold 800 cupcakes and raised $2500 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society! So keep on sharing the love! Ecojot has beautiful products and a big heart! thank u!

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  17. I would get the Mama bird green baby book for my grandbaby

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  18. I'd love to get some of their notecards and get back into keeping in touch with my penpals.

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  19. I have several EcoJot notebooks and I love the quality and style. There are just nice to write in:) I like that they use 100% post consumer recycled paper.

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  20. I have always enjoyed journal-ling, although I admit I have not always been punctual. I figure it mirrors how my life is going at that time period. Some times life is just rushing by with no time to spare :)

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  21. I've been a long time fan of ecojot and the mini new york note books really appeals to me

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  22. I love the "Always Do What You Are Afraid To Do" Journal. Beautiful.

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  23. I like the iPad case floral. :)

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  24. I like the mixed bunch floral and creme weekly planner

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  25. everything is amazing, I love their journals and planners!

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  26. I lije the green bird journal and the nature jumbo journal.

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  27. I like the sketchbooks and journals
    especially wheat and straw 5 x 7"

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  28. I love the journals, especially the "Do more of what makes you happy 5x7"

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  29. i love that they are giving back in such a big way. the products are awesome, too!

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  30. Wow, so many great products to choose from! I love the sketchbooks, scrapbooks, and the accessories (specifically the coin purses & the iPad Mini covers). :)


    (e-mail: vamp629@yahoo.ca)

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  31. I like the ecojot journals!

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  32. I like the red cardinal note cards.

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  33. I love the Red Robin note cards

    texan_michael AT yahoo DOT com

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  34. I've loved their stuff for a while.
    Their planners are my favorite!

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  35. I really like the Bird's Nest Weekly Planner. Thank you for another super giveaway opportunity. Keep up the terrific blogging.

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  36. really like Mixed bunch creme weekly planner

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  37. I really like the birds designs on the journals but have to get the horns rosewood design one too

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  38. not much makes me happier than a new journal - the Bouquet dark looks just about perfect!

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  39. I need to manage my time better. I like the Logs Weekly Planner.

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  40. I love the Elephant pink baby book

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  41. i like the lovebirds ecowrap
    flyergal82 AT (yahoo) dot/ $com

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  42. I love the Baby's first book green. The Designs are adorable!

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  43. I love the journals with inspiring quotes on the front. Favorite: "In a gentle way you can shake the world. -Gandhi"

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  44. I really love the green owl journal !!!

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  45. All the doggy journals are so cute! The Papyrus mini is pretty too :)

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  46. I love the Art Materials Sketchbook.

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  47. I've heard so many great things about this company. I'm in need of the weekly journals as I don't even have a calendar for 2014 yet. Eck!

    Thanks for making this open to Canadians.

    Besos, Sarah
    Blogger at Journeys of The Zoo

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  48. I really like the giraffes growth chart!

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  49. I like the Playhouse Boxed Notes - cute!

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  50. I like sketchbooks
    Thanks for the chance

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  51. I really like the "Thought is Free" - 6x8" Perfect Bound.

    - Sinister.Laura@yahoo.ca

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  52. I like all the 'Dog Sweaters' items, especially the Perfect Bound.

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  53. I love the Art Materials Sketchbook. :)

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  54. I like the Kraft 7x10 Sketchbook, the Owls Green mini journal and the Wooden owl sketchbook

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  55. I like the Owls Green journal, Wise Owl workbooks, Space & planets Sketchbook, and Sushi Candy Sketchbook.

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  56. I love the Fox Family note cards, so cute! Also like the sketch books.
    me_juliet AT hotmail DOT com

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  57. They have really cute iPad cases :)

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  58. I really love the New York Jumbo Journal!

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  59. Hi, Great site! I love the Baby's first books. My daughter is expecting her first in Aug. A must to shop here!

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  60. Watercolor stripe weekly planner

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  61. I love this Owls Green Mini: http://www.ecojot.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=29797#.UvAoP_suN_4

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  62. The Best is Yet to Come Jumbo Journal is adorable!

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  63. I like jumbo spiral journals- Do what you love or Peace is its own reward

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  64. I would like to have the Wedding Dress Journal & page-keeper for my soon to be daughter in law

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  65. I love the Red Robin note cards.

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  66. I have recently started keeping a journal and so love the very pretty journals on Ecojot. It's hard to pick one...I love them all :)

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