Someone challenged me to write a “gratitude” journal for 30 days. I love challenges! So, I got out a super fancy, spiral-bound children’s grade school notebook and started my journal. I decided that I had to fill an entire page for each day. I also decided that I couldn’t just repeat the same things over and over. I had to try and discover new things for which I was grateful each day. I made the rule that if I had already mentioned someone or something, I could mention them again if there was a new “outstanding” reason for thankfulness. I challenge whoever is reading this to try this for 30 solid days. But before you do, take note of your level of “happiness” before you start, and then take note of your level of “happiness” when you finish. I think you will be surprised to discover just what gratitude brings to your life.
Here are my 100 things for which I am thankful today:
- A warm house
- Healthy children
- A devoted husband
- A break from ice and snow on the ground
- Fresh baked cinnamon rolls
- Being able to wish my dad Happy Birthday this week
- Having a strong faith in God
- A sister who texts me just the right words of encouragement
- Another sister who listens to my heart
- Another sister who reminded me of how I helped her change and grow during childhood
- A friend who shows me how to love
- Three teens who understand their call to purity
- A dog who wants me to play fetch
- My eyesight
- A brain overflowing with ideas
- Forgiveness
- Adoration
- My spiritual director
- Sunshine
- Comfortable shoes
- A sister-in-law who offers support and understanding
- Discovering a frozen pizza hidden in the freezer
- Good neighbors
- A wacky back massage from my daughter
- Watching my daughter practice her ballet
- Reading my other daughter’s essay
- Laughing at my son’s funny antics
- The Winter Olympics
- Two working vehicles
- Room for guests
- Functional internet access
- Marketing ideas that just keep pouring into my brain
- A creative and fun and energetic peer who likes to work with me
- Fancy wedding gift ideas that I don’t have to think of
- Birthdays
- Baptism days
- All my nieces and nephews
- Finding my hairdresser
- Learning how to make laundry soap
- Having access to recipes online
- My apron
- Clever ideas for mud rooms I found on Pinterest
- Two working washing machines
- Two working dryers
- Polite children
- Hardworking children
- Peace in my family
- Friday rosary
- Friends who help remodel
- Friends who have cheap remodeling ideas
- Real estate investors and realtors who really want to help and have virtue
- A great accountant
- Wisdom
- Understanding
- Counsel
- Knowledge
- Piety
- Fear of the Lord
- Fortitude
- A great roofing company
- Fun paint colors
- My grandparents – may they rest in peace
- Fun crafts that keep kids busy
- Wild hairdos
- Funny jokes
- Bad jokes told by cute kids
- Honesty
- Understanding how God loves us
- Realizing how much I need to work on me
- Letting go of what’s not important
- Knowing who you can rely on
- A clean house
- A simple life
- An ordered life
- Trust
- Moving forward
- Meeting problems head on
- Giving a hand to others
- Apologizing when I am wrong
- Letting go of regret
- My fuzzy socks
- A pantry full of food
- A quiet night
- Greek yogurt
- Our piano teacher
- Our dance studio
- Good soccer coaches
- Resolution
- Learning Latin
- Understanding my call to holiness
- Diet Coke with Fresh Lime
- Chunky Monkey Ice Cream
- A surprise gift
- Relief
- Cell phones
- Staying centered on God
- Joy
- Baking soda
- Being able to drive
- Waking up this morning