My New Gratitude Practice

Thankful for time to play at the park with Noah & Brian.

As its moniker suggests, Thanksgiving is a day to give thanks.  

But it's become quite popular to share what you are grateful for, not only on Thanksgiving day, but all month long.

Some people share what they are thankful for on Facebook.

Others jot down gratitude lists in a journal or on a blog.

Still others send cards to friends and family expressing their gratitude.

Personally, I think expressing gratitude--no matter what form it takes--is awesome.

This fall, I started a new gratitude practice, after viewing Shawn Achor's TED talk (it's hilarious!) and reading his book, "The Happiness Advantage."

I started by creating a note in my iPhone simply titled, "Gratitude."

Every day, since September 20, I've pulled up this note and typed in three things I'm grateful for.

But here's the kicker: The three things must have happened in the past 24 hours!

I've made a habit of doing my gratitude writing first thing in the morning--before checking my email, before opening up Instagram--even before getting out of bed.  (Sure, there are days when it just doesn't happen in the morning--especially when the baby wakes up before I do.  It's then that I find time later on in the day.)  

Just five days into my new practice of gratitude journaling, I found myself scanning the world for positive experiences and things around me.  I was looking for the good, instead of focusing on the bad.

And even now, seven weeks later, when something funny or precious or inspiring happens, I think, "That's going on my gratitude list," or "I can't wait to document that in my gratitude note tomorrow."

Earlier today, I pulled out my iPhone and read back through my gratitude list.  Here are a few excerpts:

I'm grateful ...

For my parents who saved my first Cabbage Patch doll (Beverly Minnie) and the Fisher-Price ferry boat we played with as kids.

For twenty minutes of uninterrupted time to talk with Brian while he worked an overtime shift at the fire station.  (Such a rare treat!)

For the joy and enthusiasm that Noah exhibited while singing "Wheels on the Bus" at the library.  

For text messages and photos from my sister Kate.

For this video of Bean singing "Dance With Somebody," which prompted me to spontaneously belt out said song in my family room.  I loved singing that song with my sister Nichole when we were kids.    
For the two fawns who appeared outside my office window and treated me to an up close viewing.  I have a soft spot for baby anything.  

For swinging time with Noah in the hammock, just eating peanut butter cracks and listening to the birds chirp.

For the chance to hug Ali Edwards at breakfast this morning (at the Click retreat).  She's such an inspiring scrapbooker, photographer, and writer.

For the tent in our living room, which makes Noah so happy.

For the courage to say "I'm sorry" to Brian (twice).

For dinner and good conversation with my friend, Nicole.

For a new suitcase from Costco.  (The zipper on my fully-packed suitcase broke the night before we were to leave for Texas.  So, we stopped at Costco on the way to the airport, bought a suitcase and then moved everything from the old suitcase to the new suitcase--right there in the parking lot.)

For Brian, who is a great dad to Noah.  He kept Noah busy on the plane ride to Dallas, entertaining him with photos and apps on his iPad.

For time spent in the hallway of a Dallas hotel, chatting with family--Donna, Catherine, Susan, and my mom.

For hugs from McKayla.

For flying in business class (thanks to our AA miles!) with lots of room to stretch our legs and let Noah play.

For Noah's expanding vocabulary.  His newest word is cool, which he says in the cutest sing-songy way.

I'm planning to continue this gratitude practice through Thanksgiving and possibly into the New Year, because I find it helps me recognize the positive experiences in my life--and in doing so, cultivate more happiness and more gratitude.  

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Things I'm Thankful For

Brian and Noah enjoying the indoor pool in Oregon | November 2012 

This month, I decided to keep a running list of the things for which I am thankful.

I found the easiest way to do this was to type my thoughts into an iPhone note.

Most days, I remembered to jot down something on my gratitude list.  But if I forgot, I just played catch-up.

Looking back over my list, I'm really glad I spent time not only reflecting on my blessings, but also documenting them.

This month, I'm grateful for...

1: A beautiful and healthy niece, Zoey.

2: A breakfast date with my hubby.

3: The opportunity to attend church with my husband and son.

4: Noah's hugs and smiles.

5: Board books for Noah--good for both reading and gnawing. 

6: The right to vote.

7: Hiking trails just 5 minutes from us.

8: Post-it notes, newsprint, and a plethora of hopes and dreams.

9: A sitter who takes great care of Noah twice a month. 

10: Time with my extended family.

11: Radlab--I have so much fun processing photos!

12: Brian.  For his patience, for his support, for his love.  

13: My camera. 

14:The movie, The Artist.

15: Pool time with Brian and Noah.

16: The opportunity to read, write, and chat in the car.

17: The chance to witness Sammy's baptism.

18: An umbrella to protect us from the rain.

19: Free Sirius music in the car.

20: Our washing machine and dryer. 

21: Mother Goose on the Loose at the library.

22: A small Thanksgiving celebration with my mom, sister, niece, and Noah.  (We'll miss spending time with Brian, my dad and my sister, Katie this year.)  

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

Thanksgiving 2010

Happy Thanksgiving, family and friends.


Today, we will be celebrating at our house (for the first time) with 22 members of our family.


Over the past few days, I've spent time decorating the tables, cleaning, and shopping for food and supplies.

Creating the tablescapes was by far my favorite part. To keep it low-stress and low-cost, I went the simple route: flowers, candles and mini-pumpkins.


Here's a picture of "table decoration" in progress. I lined the pumpkins up on the counter and requested Brian's assistance with the seating arrangements (since most of the people attending are from his family). As Brian was moving pumpkins around and asking my opinion, I flashed back to a similar scene seven years ago when we had to determine seating arrangements for our wedding reception. :-)


I stamped (and colored) turkeys on the female tags and pilgrims on the male tags. (I had toyed with using two other types of turkey place cards, but ultimately, this one--being the simplest and least time-consuming--won out.) And the pumpkins are both place cards and souvenirs.


We are using real plates, bowls and stemware, but I really didn't want to buy 22 cloth napkins (nor did I want to launder them), so I purchased these fun paper napkins instead. I thought they would work perfectly considering the invitation to our Thanksgiving celebration began with the joke, "Why did the turkey cross the road? Because he was stuffed."


Also, at each place setting, I propped up an "I am thankful for..." card against the wine glass. I'm hoping that while the turkey is cooking and our family members are chatting and munching on appetizers, they will fill out a gratitude card and place it in the basket. Then, when we've made a circle to pray right before we eat, my plan is to walk around with the basket of cards and ask each person to select a card and read it aloud. That way, we're all expressing our heartfelt thanks, but doing so in an anonymous fashion.


I also bought this "thankful" banner (from this Etsy seller) and hung it from the armoire in our living room. Originally, I had thought about packing it away with the Thanksgiving Day decorations tomorrow, but I may hang it in my workshop as a daily gratitude reminder.

Indeed, we have so much to be thankful for this year:

Our beautiful new home

Our health

Our jobs

Our family

Our friends

Our doggies

Each other

And while we won't be celebrating this Thanksgiving with my dad, my sisters or my niece, McKayla, I am looking forward to seeing them at Christmas time.

I hope you and your loved ones have an enjoyable day together, eating, laughing, and most of all, giving thanks.

J