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| Photo by Josh Adamski on Unsplash |
“By three methods we
may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; second, by imitation,
which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.”
—Confucius
Yesterday was the last day of Positively Present’s 30-Day
Gratitude Challenge. I’ve done this challenge four times now, and every year I
learn something new about gratitude.
The point of the challenge, for me, is to become more aware
of the large and small things I’m grateful for. So many times they get lost in
the shuffle of daily living. I’m ashamed to say that I take many things for
granted. (I also loved reading other people’s #Gratitude30 entries. We’re all
so different, yet somehow the same!)
Here are a few of my favorite 2017 prompts (entries have
been slightly edited to remove Instagram-ese):
Day 1 (Beauty): I didn’t have to go far to find today’s
prompt… Just out my back door. Thanks to my husband, I have the backyard I’ve
always wanted. I’m grateful for his efforts, and for the beautiful flowers that
bloom nearly year-round in Florida.
Day 9 (Feelings): I used to be afraid that my feelings
would overwhelm me. Then I started taking yoga classes and learning about
meditation. I learned I could watch my feelings and thoughts, and that as long
as I didn’t cling to them or push them aside they would simply…flow (like the
ripples in this photo). Sometimes I write out my feelings, both to figure out
what they are, and to help with the flow process. I’m grateful for the peace of
knowing this, too, shall pass.
Day 14 (Challenges): Some of the best rewards in life
come with a heaping helping of challenge. Like this guy here. Learning how to
ride and care for a horse as an adult has been physically, mentally, and
financially challenging, but worth every minute. I’m grateful for what I’ve
learned from him and from all the horse people I’ve met along the way.
Day 17 (Memories): These photos were taken in New Orleans
back in 2010, on a trip with Laure Ferlita, and they remind me of “les bon
temps” we shared exploring that fascinating city. Oh, how I would love to go
back to New Orleans. The food, the music, the people, the architecture…and did
I mention the food?
Day 30 (Growth): 2017 has been a challenging year in many
ways, and it forced me to grow, even when I’d have preferred to stay in my
comfort zone. I hate to admit it (and this is not an invitation to the universe
to send me adversity), but I’m grateful for the growth from those challenges.
And I intend to keep growing like this little flower, blooming in a crevice
between rocks.
What are you most grateful for in 2017?
Louisa May Alcott is a heroine of mine—more because of the
person she was than because of her writing (though I enjoy that, too). She was
born 185 years ago today, and in honor of her birthday, here are two
happiness-related quotes attributed to her:
“The power of finding beauty in the humblest things makes home happy and life lovely.”
“One of the sweet things about pain and sorrow is that they show us how well we are loved, how much kindness there is in the world, and how easily we can make others happy in the same way when they need help and sympathy.”
In 2013, my husband and I
visited Orchard House, her family home in Concord, MA, pictured below. (I wrote
about it briefly here.)
If you want to know more about
Louisa May Alcott, check out Louisa May Alcott: The Woman Behind Little Women. I’m currently reading Louisa May Alcott: An Intimate Anthology and
enjoying it very much.
Are you a Louisa May Alcott fan?
Which of her books is your favorite?
Rather than participate in Black Friday, my husband and I are enjoying a
short break from the usual routine, and fighting crowds for bargains doesn’t
qualify as “a break” in either of our minds. In case you’re off today and have a little time for some web surfing, here are a few fun and thought-provoking tidbits I’ve found online recently—no lines and no waiting:
I loved Positively Present’s 2017 Holiday Gift Guide—there’s
something for everyone on this list, and I guarantee you no one will return
your gift.
Doing nothing is harder than you think.
I found “How to Go from Discouraged to Empowered in a Scary World,” by Sandra Pawula at Always Well Within an encouraging read.
Seth Godin on “Full vs. Enough.”
Do To-Do lists work for you? If they don’t, you might want
to try one of the other types of lists described by Gretchen Rubin in “The Surprising Truth About Why Your To-Do List May Be Failing You.”
Don’t forget Giving Tuesday next week—it’s a good way to share with others, and in some instances, your donation will be matched. Click here to read about how that works.
I don’t think I’ve shared this before, but even if I have,
it’s too good not to share again.
Have a happy Friday, Black or otherwise!
“When it comes to life the critical thing is whether you
take things for granted
or take them with gratitude.”
—G.K. Chesterton
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day here in the United States. Wishing you a very happy day, whether or not celebrating Thanksgiving is a part of your tradition!
