Being Grateful - Nov 30th

 

This November, I have taken on the challenge of pondering blessings that I commonly overlook. Things I would certainly miss if they were gone, yet scarcely give much thought. My goal is to share daily one typically-ignored blessing for which I am truly thankful.



Nov. 30th:

This past month I have made daily posts about things for which I am thankful, particularly blessings I seldom contemplate. This self-appointed assignment to document my gratitude has been a positive experience. That’s the thing about gratitude, it has great natural benefits.

Gratitude actually improves psychological and physical health. Not all that surprising if you think about it. Feeling thankful is a happy emotion that in turn reduces toxic emotions such as envy, regret, and disappointment. This healthier mental well-being has a positive effect on the body’s physical well-being since happy people are more likely to exercise, treat themselves well, and get medical check-ups. 

Studies have shown that gratitude reduces social comparisons, resulting in improved self-esteem. Counting your blessings before bedtime has been shown to improve the quality and length of sleep. According to some university studies, people who regularly show appreciation are also more likely to be kind and empathetic towards others. Being thankful and appreciative reduces the desire for retaliation, even when the hurt is significant.

There are additional benefits to being a person who is grateful in all things—improved quality in romantic relationships, added friendships, stronger family relationships, reduction in suicidal thoughts, greater satisfaction with life, increased optimism, more generous nature, improved patience, better decision-making, and more! So, this final day of November, I am truly thankful for the rich, abundant benefits of being thankful.

 

Being Grateful - Nov 29th

 

This November, I have taken on the challenge of pondering blessings that I commonly overlook. Things I would certainly miss if they were gone, yet scarcely give much thought. My goal is to share daily one typically-ignored blessing for which I am truly thankful.



Nov. 29th:

I am thankful for simple, thoughtful acts of kindness. Small gestures that make a huge difference to the recipient. Hugs and kisses. Friendly letters. Thank-you cards. Smiles. Empathy. Mercy. A helping hand. Wise advice. Genuine compliments. Words of encouragement. 

There are so many things a person can do to extend kindness to others. Acts of recognition, acts of gratitude, acts of love, acts of support—all can be communicated through small and uncomplicated means. I love that this is true. It honestly takes very little to make someone feel appreciated.

November 30th

Being Grateful - Nov 28th

 

This November, I have taken on the challenge of pondering blessings that I commonly overlook. Things I would certainly miss if they were gone, yet scarcely give much thought. My goal is to share daily one typically-ignored blessing for which I am truly thankful.



Nov. 28th:

I like titles and designations such as teacher, healer, mother, daughter, sister, philosopher, author, poet, manager, companion, wife… the list goes on. 

Some titles we earn. Others we are given. Either way, they play an important part in defining who we are, both to ourselves and to other people. They contribute to our developing self-image. A title outlines a role; it suggests what we do and what we know. 

It is a strange thing how a simple title or designation modifies the way we see ourselves. As we grow, our titles change and often multiply. With these changes in title come changes in our self-perception. I appreciate that they reflect our evolving maturity and progression over time.

November 29th

Being Grateful - Nov 27th

 

This November, I have taken on the challenge of pondering blessings that I commonly overlook. Things I would certainly miss if they were gone, yet scarcely give much thought. My goal is to share daily one typically-ignored blessing for which I am truly thankful.



Nov. 27th:

I have a voice. With my throat and mouth, I can form audible sounds—words, laughter, melodies, and other noises. I can speak to an audience, argue with a colleague, giggle with my girlfriends, sing in a choir, yodel, whistle, cheer, and roar. It is wonderful to have a voice. 

I love using my voice to talk over the phone. My closest friend lives many miles from my house, so we spend many hours on the phone, often reading books to each other. My friend is talented at character voices, both male and female, which makes the stories come to life. It is incredible how a single voice can be altered to create such a wide range of sounds! 

I am grateful to have a voice with which to communicate and entertain, and I am grateful to hear so many wonderful voices chatting, singing, and laughing all around me.

November 28th

Being Grateful - Nov 26th

 

This November, I have taken on the challenge of pondering blessings that I commonly overlook. Things I would certainly miss if they were gone, yet scarcely give much thought. My goal is to share daily one typically-ignored blessing for which I am truly thankful.



Nov. 26th:

My family just celebrated Thanksgiving, and my oh my did I use my hands a lot! I chopped a lot of vegetables, stirred thickened sauces, sliced a whole turkey, whisked and spooned and peeled and buttered and scrubbed... oh yes, my hands were very busy! 

Now that Thanksgiving is over, my kids are spending time together playing card games (busy with their hands) and I am writing this blog about how grateful I am for the hands I take for granted. I write, I draw, I paint, I play piano (a little) I cook, I clean, I type (for hours at work.) It is amazing how useful and used my hands are, yet I seldom stop to appreciate the miracle they are. I am very grateful to have two, healthy, able hands.

November 27th

Being Grateful - Nov 25th

 

This November, I have taken on the challenge of pondering blessings that I commonly overlook. Things I would certainly miss if they were gone, yet scarcely give much thought. My goal is to share daily one typically-ignored blessing for which I am truly thankful.



Nov. 25th:

I was blessed to grow up in the same house, in the same city, same schools, with the same friends for most of my childhood life. I had parents who established healthy routines and habits that lasted throughout those years. The stability I experienced as a result was comforting. It gave me an anchor I often needed when other areas of life gave way to every shift in the wind, as the world is prone to do. Even at a young age, I recognized and appreciated the security that existed in a stable home. It was a sure thing on which I could rely.

When I grew to be a parent, stability for my own children became a priority. I wanted to raise my kids in one house, a place they could call home no matter how drastically things changed outside. I was granted that blessing, and my kids grew up in the same house, the same city, same schools, having many of the same friends for most of their childhood. 

Even if they don’t realize it, that constant in their lives created stability, which has real benefits. Some of them include better health, a reduction in stress, deeper friendships, better habits, feelings of control, feelings of security, and less uncertainty about life. I am grateful my kids grew up with roots in a house and a hometown. I am grateful for the stability I too experienced growing up.

November 26th

Being Grateful - Nov 24th

 

This November, I have taken on the challenge of pondering blessings that I commonly overlook. Things I would certainly miss if they were gone, yet scarcely give much thought. My goal is to share daily one typically-ignored blessing for which I am truly thankful.



Nov. 24th:

I own a complete set of Star Trek porcelain figures that fit together like a puzzle. The set consists of eight members of the Next Generation’s bridge crew that form a nice display of the main bridge when arranged in the right order. Unfortunately, my son accidentally bumped the display one evening, and two of the figurines hit the floor and broke apart. Not a happy moment. 

Yesterday, I spent an hour carefully lining up each busted piece and gluing them back together with superglue. To my delight, the glue held strong! The repairs look as good as new. 

It was a relief to have something strong and sticky enough to repair my  treasured collectibles. I am thankful for adhesives like superglue, wood glue, gorilla glue, glue sticks and the like. They make repairs, crafts, scrapbooking, woodworking, packaging, and even some healthcare possible.

November 25th