Thanksgiving Day comes once a year. And I really should count my blessings more frequently than that.
It’s disconcerting that I can easily focus on the bad things, the stressors, and making plans (that often don’t pan out), but when someone asks, “What are you most thankful for this year?” I need to think.
Sometimes more than a minute.
Sad, my friend.
Because my blessings are more numerous than my woes. And science tells me focusing on the positive can improve my mood as much as a thirty-minute walk.
So this year during the month of November when I generally post #30daysofgratitude, I’m going to list my blessings.
Feel free to scroll to the end. That’s when it’s your turn.
- A husband
- Who has a good-paying job he enjoys
- Good health
- Access to health care when I need it
- Friendship with my sister
- Same sister is my biggest fan
- Two healthy sons who are hard-working, productive citizens
- A country where I’m basically free to live as I want
- Two daughters who love my sons
- Shana, the lovely girl who gives me three years of Lolly bliss
- Michael, whose boundless energy reminds me of younger days
- Karina, whose quiet smiles are like a trip to Heaven
- Freya with abounding curiosity that reminds me of her dad
- That I have good memories and can recall them
- A beautiful home
- Comfy bed
- Waking up this morning
- A car I enjoy driving
- A church to attend
- A church family
- The Bible so I can hear from God
- Writers to coach
- Stories to edit
- Stories to write
- Creativity
And I could go on and on and on, but I hope you get the point
When was the last time you wrote down the good things in life? Take time to count your blessings today.
I love your thankful list. Yes, this is a great idea! I’m going to do it, because then you can read it over when it seems the negative is pressing in!
I know we both write one to three things each morning, but I need to take more time several times per year to write a larger list.
Today, I wrote in my journal that I was grateful for laughter. Even thinking about it now makes me smile.
Your idea of reading our list of blessings when negative thoughts try to overwhelm us is a great one.