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
And don't we all need those at the moment.
Rachna Chhabria
Co-host IWSG
Rachna's Scriptorium
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.
Gratitude is good. :)
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.
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.
Hope you had a happy and safe Thanksgiving.
~Jess