Some days it’s easy to get stuck in the muck and mire and forget all the goodness. The smiles, the little twinkles in my kids’ eyes. Each tiny thing represents so very much to me. I slow down, and remember to be grateful. To give thanks.
I’m honored to be a part of the Tiny Prints Gratitude Challenge, not just because of the fabulous bloggers participating, and not just because of the adorable, thoughtful and meticulous Gratitude Kit that Tiny Prints sent to me, but because of what I get to write about. Giving thanks. Being grateful. Quieting my pace, and noticing all the tiny and large things in my life that make it awesome. I’ve always loved creative writing exercises, I love being challenged to reach deep inside my heart and yank out the cobwebs and see what’s waiting to come out.
Yesterday was Day 1, I signed the pledge:
With a hopeful outlook, I Arianne, promise to fulfill the terms of The Gratitude Challenge. Over the next 21 days, I pledge to complete the activities in my Gratitude Challenge Kit, including blogging, taking photos, writing journal entries and connecting with friends. I promise to take note of life’s little blessings and give thanks for the relationships, experiences and opportunities that make my life unique. From this day forward, I commit to living on the brighter side of life.
Inside the kit there is a book, called Happily Grateful, which is a lovely collection of quotes and sentiments of Gratitude. This one stood out to me today:
We are most alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures. — Thornton Wilder
Join me as I ponder, discover and revel in Gratitude. Treasures await.
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What a neat challenge! I love quotes like that, too.
Steph
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I'm doing it, too and bringing my kids in for some of the action, as well. Glad we're in this together. Closer I've come to doing a project with you!
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I LOVE this idea! I could use an exercise like this myself…
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Arianne, what a beautiful post. Love your use of language… “I love being challenged to reach deep inside my heart and yank out the cobwebs and see what’s waiting to come out”. I just started the challenge myself and those cobwebs are already clearing the way, little by little. I look forward to following you on your journey.
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One thing I’ve noticed over the years is that, truly the happiest of people I know are deeply aware of their blessings AND they appreciate them. There’s a difference too-for I sense that being aware of blessings in our lives does not always mean we appreciate them- that’s the rub. And-each and every one of us may be guilty of overlooking this due to rushing around from one task to the next or just being a participant of what I like to call “too many distractions.” TV, Facebook, gabbing on the phone, shopping..-you get the picture. We have a choice though whether or not to participate or to simply stop and smell the roses to use a well-worn cliche’. I am looking forward to this exercise for the next 21 days. I am happy to say though, i mentally take note each day of very specific things (and people) I am grateful for and to. Now I will be able to write about it!!
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