Naming and giving thanks for those things that give you joy, satisfaction, or serenity helps you to focus on blessings rather than be affected by negatives. Giving thanks for something that is not quite enough makes it more than enough. Several years ago I did a gratitude journal while reading Sarah Ban Breathnach. I highly recommend it and have decided I will do it again this summer. Since I am reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp, I plan to try to name one thousand gifts I am grateful for and give thanks to God for each of them.
1. It is Memorial Day, so I am thankful for all those who have, are, and will serve to protect us and our freedoms. May we live honorably and as servants to others to honor those sacrifices and God's blessings to this country.
2. Sunny days and blue skies after the many days of rain and storms.
3. The privilege of participating on other's lives and seeing their children grow up. Happy Graduation to Tyler.
4. The blessing of getting to know the loving, calm, wise, and serene nature of elderly friends and family. I'm thankful for the 90th birthday party I will be attending for a former member of our church shut in committee who now is one of our precious shut ins. Happy 90th Pat.
5. A husband who puts a fan out for me when i lay out to help keep me cool and bug free.
6. Texting as a wonderful way to share something fun quickly and easily with friends and family
7. Technology in general, as a way to share with those we might not otherwise keep as close touch with.
8. Time off work to take a deep breath, reflect, and smell the roses.
9. Beautiful flowers and birds in all their colors.
10. Most importantly and above all, God's love, grace, and forgiveness through the sacrifice of Jesus.
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Stopping for gratitude is very important. Especially when I fall into a trap of grumpiness or general blah-ness.
ReplyDeleteTen down, 990 to go!! You totally should not have put "birds" and flowers" in the same line. That'll come back to haunt ya! Or "technology in general." Stretch! You've written term papers lately, you know the drill. Each type of flower, bird, and technology gets its own line. :)