The beauty of my one word journey is that my current self is in complete control of it. Not the version of myself back in January when I might have pondered a word that could last me twelve months, but the version of myself right here, right now, that controls how and where I spend my time and energy.

Back in January, I wouldn’t have known about the health surprises that would come my way, the opportunities I’d have to start something new or the unexpected challenges that appeared, too. How could I? But the current version of me, the one that has actually lived through the past six months and knows exactly what I need right now, does.

And that’s why I’m choosing a word to guide my month for the second time this year: gratitude.

Admittedly, June was a tough month for a few reasons. I made great strides in cleaning up my habits and making more healthful choices in all aspects of my life. But I was cranky. I was happy I was making better choices, but frustrated that a recent diagnosis spurred them on. I was negative and full of doubt and perhaps, rightfully so, but it did me absolutely no good.

So I started looking for the silver linings and found them: changes at work that lead to more productivity and less time on the computer, changes in my diet that made me feel healthier and more time walking that meant more conversations with my children who joined me. And chatting about my wellness journey and the role my new notebook was playing in it has brought a whole new opportunity to share my journey with others with Startover.

So I’ve decided I need an entire month once again devoted to gratitude. In March, I held myself accountable for a daily gratitude practice by blogging daily on the Slice of Life challenge, but in July, I’ll keep it private on my own calendar instead. I’ve even created a printable page for my new wellness journal that you can download for your own notebook, too. Just print and post where you’ll see it daily or adhere it to one of your notebook pages for safer keeping.

Here’s to a month of gratitude, of shifting perspectives and finding the good.