When I thumb through my journal and look at the things I often give thanks for in my daily gratitude lists, I’m struck by how much of those lists are filled with material possessions such as my home and my car. Even when I give thanks for experiences such as trips to New York or to Orange Beach, I recognize that these things couldn’t happen without money.

When I write about how wonderful it feels to walk peacefully in my neighborhood, I also acknowledge that it’s a blessing to be able to afford to live in a quiet suburb.

So today when writing in my journal, I challenged myself to express gratitude for five things that money can’t buy.

A few years ago I started a Thanksgiving journaling tradition. While I typically list at least five things I’m grateful for each morning, on Thanksgiving morning I challenge myself to write my gratitude list for five minutes instead.