It's All About the Little Things

 I know all you Canadian readers celebrated Thanksgiving last month, but this month is our turn.

Of course since this is 2020, I'm sure everything will be different. I think we will have a smaller gathering, but it won't be at our house, so I don't know. I do know we will have a lot of good food.

 November is National Gratitude Month. It's a good time to begin thankfulness training if you're not yet riding the grateful train every day. It can make a huge difference in your outlook on life. 

Every day write down one thing you're thankful for. You can keep a list or write on a scrap of paper and stick it into a bowl or jar - whatever's handy and works best for you. Do this every day in the month of November.

If you journal every day, you can make it a part of that. I've never taken myself seriously enough to keep a journal, but if you do, I salute you.

Don't be surprised to see tiny items on your list. Things like warm socks. Or coffee. Sunshine. Hugs. Whatever floats your boat. Here's someone I'm especially grateful for:


Now here's the unplanned turning point of this post.

A couple of years ago I read the suggestion I just gave you above. I found the idea someplace online. I know not where. But I was sure I'd bookmarked it. It worked really well for me to think about all the little things that make me smile and for which I'm grateful every day. 

However when I searched through the entire novel-length list of all my bookmarks, I couldn't find any possibilities. Nor could I unearth the mystery article by searching for it in every way I could come up with.

I fessed up to this because after you've written down all the little tidbits of happiness that you're thankful for, come December - or the next November, I don't remember which - you're supposed to actually do something with what you wrote down. Which I didn't do, obviously.

So... have any of you done something similar? If so, what is it we're supposed to do? I could say asking for a friend, but I think it's too late for that now 😁

I can say that even if you make the effort to note one thing each day every day, not just November, you will begin to notice way more than one. And you will gradually develop a different outlook on life. And maybe smile more because of it.

Life's a good thing. Enjoy it. Even in the time of covid. Especially in the time of covid.

Hugs,

Carol

Comments

Act on those things - that's the first I'd heard of doing it that way. But I think it's a great idea.
Liza said…
I posted 30 days of pictures titled "Things for which I remain thankful" on Facebook this past spring. Covid had just started. I posted one picture with the idea to brighten the day of others. Then I realized how many things I am grateful for, and decided to keep posting. During the process, my life took a very hard turn, but I kept posting. I believed then, as I do now, no matter what, there are always things for which we may be grateful.
Jemi Fraser said…
Living with that positive force of gratitude is probably enough - but it would be intriguing to know what the original author of the idea wanted you to do next!!
Gratitude is a gift which keeps giving. And giving. A self perpetuating miracle.
And don't we all need those at the moment.
Natalie Aguirre said…
I try to think of three things I'm grateful for when I wake up and go to bed. It's helped me stay more positive since my husband died. You've got a great way to do it too.
Rachna Chhabria said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
Rachna Chhabria said…
Gratitude is something I have started practicing a lot nowadays, its so satisfying and makes me very happy and it has also made me stop grumbling :)

Rachna Chhabria
Co-host IWSG
Rachna's Scriptorium
I've always believed that being consciously aware and grateful for the many blessings in our lives is a major key to contentment, and it's more true this year than ever before.
cleemckenzie said…
This is perfect for all of us slogging through 2020. Being grateful for anything can shift our mood and make the unbearable fade away. Thanks, Carol.
Carol Kilgore said…
Alex - I thought so, too.

Liza - Totally agree that there are always things we can be grateful for. I like your idea of posting a picture of one every day. I may steal it :)

Jemi - YES! I searched and searched. I remember writing my choices down and putting them into a small clear jar. I think I put a copy of the article under the jar. Or someplace nearby. I think what must have happened is all of it got tossed when we moved. Sigh.

EC - I agree about everything!

Natalie - Three things each at morning and night is awesome. I may try that.


I think the act of looking for and writing down the positives are the main purpose. I did read something about reading over them again in December, like mini Christmas presents for yourself, or for New Year's Eve? I know Chrys Fey has an exercise like that in one of her books.
Gratitude is good. :)
H. R. Sinclair said…
It's so important to really appreciate something everyday (especially now) What a cool idea to mash up the list into something grand!
Carol Kilgore said…
Rachna - LOL! Made me stop grumbling, too. At least not as often.

Susan - I would've been totally lost last year and this year without it.

CLee - You're welcome. Being grateful really does work.

Tyrean - True about the process. I don't believe the article I read was in a book, but I could be mistaken.

HR - Since starting to do this, my viewpoint about a lot of things has changed. For the better.
Joanne said…
good post and very true. Just when I'm having a pity party or just in snit, I try to take a walk and look around - think about the fact that I'm walking on my own two feet with a healthy family, a home to walk back to, and food in the fridge. That can humble. Reality check - it's good to have one regularly.
Remembering to appreciate the blessings we have in life, to focus on the good rather than the bad, these all make a massive difference to our lives and the lives we touch.
Such an excellent reminder, Carol. Thanks. I really need to do that this month!
Carol Kilgore said…
Joanne - I do the same thing. Reality checks are always good.

Lynda - Huge difference.

Elizabeth - You're welcome. Sometimes we get so busy we forget. After it becomes a habit, it's easier to come back to. Especially when the going gets tough.
DMS said…
For about 5 years or so I wrote down 5 things every day that I was thankful for. It was filled with lots of small stuff- even some of the food I ate or little things like a shower with hot water. :) Great idea!

Hope you had a happy and safe Thanksgiving.
~Jess
Carol Kilgore said…
Jess - Your idea is great, too. Whatever works. It makes a difference. Our Thanksgiving was wonderful; hope yours was, too.

.