Gratitude. It’s what this season seems to be about. November is often the time that we step back and take stock of what our blessings are. This year one of my friends from my Iowa days, Mary Hopper, has started a little gratitude practice named #28DaysofGratitude.
Every day Mary sends an email with an “exercise” for the group to do. As I write this we have only had 3 days but they have been great opportunities for me to reflect on gratitude. So far these have been the questions that we have been asked to ponder:
- Name three things that I am grateful for right now.
- Name three things that I am grateful for from my past.
- Name three things that I am grateful for in the future.
I have been trying to put a lot of thought into these daily questions. It has never been difficult for me to count my blessings and it has been one of my daily practices to practice gratitude. I find that my life is much fuller if I look for things to be grateful for instead of focusing on the negatives in life. A simple shift to focus on the blessings and good things in life can totally shift my focus.
At church this week we recognized All Saints Days where we remember all of the saints who have passed away during the year. I must admit I was pretty emotional because the first part of 2019 was pretty difficult for me with losing a lot of the “saints” that have had an impact on my life. But then I turned that thought around and was GRATEFUL that those people were in my life. It didn’t take all of the sadness away but it made me realize how blessed I am that I have had so many wonderful people in my life and continue to be blessed with new friendships. Glass half full, folks, glass half full.
If you are looking for something meaningful to do this month I would encourage you to join the 28 Days of Gratitude Challenge by going to the link below. It doesn’t matter if you are coming in a little late – just sign up and Mary will get you included in all of the fun.
28 Days of Gratitude Challenge
Don’t forget to leave me a comment and tell me one thing from present, past or future that you are grateful for. All comments made on the blog this month mean a 50 cent donation to our Comments for a Cause – Shadowbrook Farm. You can read more about that by clicking here and here.
18 Comments
Leave a commentWe DO have so much to be thankful for…. November is always a great reminder. That was nice that you turned some of your sadness into gratitude at church yesterday. It’s only natural that we are sad for those who are no longer with us.
It is only natural to be sad when our “saints” pass on but I am so grateful that so many of them were in my life, you know? I have known so many amazing people and my life is so much richer because of it.
I’m grateful for you and your faithful creation of uplifting blogs. And I’m grateful for family birthdays- from October 6 to December 6 we celebrate 6 birthdays! Lots of love!
Aren’t you just the sweetest? Thank you. It is so nice that you appreciate what I write —I never really know if I am making a difference so your words definitely help. Your birthday run sounds fabulous! Happy celebrations!
It is always good to have an attitude of gratitude. I am grateful for my amazing family near and far, past present and future!! (That includes fur family members too.) I am also grateful for my fabulous friends who always make me feel loved and appreciated, including blogging friends like you. xo
I love your answers –family is just so important to me as well and I don’t know what I would do without all of my family. We are truly blessed.
I am really enjoying her emails.
Mary is pretty amazing. I am so glad she is doing this and I am thrilled that so many of my friends jumped in to do it as well. Including my bestie – you!
Gratitude is so full of love and memories. We all have so much to be thankful for. Gratitude thinking is the best. I have so much to have gratitude for but two that come to mind.is this month my husband has been three years cancer free. Praise the Lord. Second that our daughter has been in a relationship with a good man for three years now after rough years. I give all the glory to our Lord and Savior.
Three years cancer free is such a wonderful thing! I am so happy to hear that and also about your daughter and her relationship. We never stop worrying about our kids and wanting the best for them. Thanks so much for sharing.
Such a good idea and excellent reminder of all those blessings we experience. For me, that includes you, my friend.
Oh my goodness, Audrey, back at you. You have been such a blessing in my life and I feel like the miles between us don’t really matter one little bit. I have been so happy to know that you are out there praying for me when I need it and that you are just a phone call away. Thank you for that!
Such an inspiring idea. Too often we forget in our hustle and bustle to be grateful for the big stuff, let alone those little day to day blessings that cross our path. For the last couple of years, I wrote blog posts every day in November on things I was thankful for. But this year, I find my time too limited to do that so your suggestion here is most welcome. And oh, by the way, I am SO grateful to have you as a blogging buddy!
I am grateful for you as well! It is a drain to do that every day blog post –I totally understand that. I am not doing that this year either but I am thankful for so much and this little exercise daily is making me take time to do that!
I am grateful the mentors I had in my past. If it hadn’t been for them believing in me I would not be where I am today.
You have gone so far in your life and accomplished so much. I am so proud of you and yes–you had some really great mentors who saw the great potential in you and helped you achieve that. You are amazing!
I’m doing the challenge, too! I love that the daily exercises push me to expand my gratitude practice, but are accessible and low-pressure.
Hey Whitney! Thanks for stopping by! Yes—I love how easy it is to do these little exercises but also how it shifts my focus!