A Journey of Thanks

For the past several years, many know I've started one of the #40daysofthankfulness movements on Facebook. There are many people who take part in something similar. It so refreshing to go on and see twitter or Facebook feeds show such positive words as opposed to the typical and sometimes constant complaining, especially during a time when we all should be thankful. 


My #40Days was born during a low point in my life. I was basically feeling like this: "If you spend less time bitching about your life, you'd possibly enjoy it more." 


I was in the middle of a divorce, trying to pull myself up emotionally and going on Facebook hoping to connect with family and friends became a pile of negativity I could not deal with anymore. So, rather than deleting anyone and everyone, I decided to throw out A LOT of GRATITUDE. 


This year the Facebook event I created (40 Days of Thankfulness Challenge) now has over 2,000 people joining in and throwing out gratitude into the world. If you're reading, not part of this movement and would like to join, go here. We typically start the first week of October and end right before Thanksgiving, but there are no rules (except to be thankful and not negate your thanks in the same sentence).  You can start whenever.


Last year, a friend challenged me to an entire year of gratitude. At first I thought there was no way I could pull a daily "thanks" out every single day. But then I realized - I could do it. Then I was determined I would do it.


Today I'm on Gratitude Day 373. :) I made the 365 days, let it collide with my 40 Days of Thankfulness Challenge and am going on to 1,000 gratitudes. 


Something I've found on my journey of thanks is that many people misinterpret my attitude of gratitude into many different things: 

• Her life is perfect.
• She never has a bad day.
• How can she always be so cheery? 
• She thinks she better than all of us who are struggling. 

Um. No. Maybe you don't know my story. If not, wait for the book. I can promise you my life has never been perfect - ever. I do have bad days. There are emotions I'm still dealing with 24 years after the devastation of losing a brother. How can I be cheery? Because I know the other side of the coin - death, divorce, addiction, bitterness.  Better than you?  No. Never. I acknowledge that we ALL struggle, all have a story, all are dealing with pain, and are all trying to find that place of peace daily. 

This wonderful status from my friend and "gratitude ambassador," T, pretty much sums up my feeling about those misinterpretations: Many people assume a positive attitude means lack of struggle or hardship, when in fact, a positive attitude is what pulls us through the difficult times. That person smiling at you has just as much of a battle as you do, they just choose to look at it differently.

Will you choose gratitude when things are not going your way and you seem to be at the bottom of that valley? 

Will you acknowledge all that you have instead of all that you don't? 

Will you choose to look at it all differently, no matter what is going on in your life? 

I hope so. 

My Gratitude List - 40 Days

Thought I would share my 40 Days of Thankfulness list since I've dedicated several posts to the topic: 

October 20, 2009

40 Days for Thankfulness Day 1: I’m thankful for a job I love and enjoy each of every day and for co-workers that always make me laugh. 

40 Days of Thankfulness Day 2: I’m thankful for an amazing husband who was truly God sent to the girls and I. He’s the hardest worker I know and shows a profound love for so many that it amazes me.  And he even does dishes! :) 

40 Days of Thankfulness Day 3: I’m thankful for those people who were already spreading the gratitude and positive messages even before 40 Days. 

40 Days of Thankfulness Day 4: I'm so thankful for all the new friends I've made because of the 40 days of thankfulness!!

40 Days of Thankfulness Day 5: I'm thankful for each and every struggle and the fact that I made it on the other side with a lesson and usually a new friend.

40 Days of Thankfulness Day 6: I'm thankful for a loving God and a continual relationship. I'm thankful that at such a young age someone special truly introduced me to Him. I ♥ you, Warren and family!

40 Days of Thankfulness Day 7: I'm thankful for electricity, surprise lunch with my husband, and a healthy start to a great week!

Thankful for a night by the fire with the family and some chocolate chip cookies!

40 Days of Thankfulness Day 8: I'm thankful for 2 girls who have big, giving hearts, and are so full of love and life everyday.

40 Days of Thankfulness Day 9: Today I'm thankful that I get to take Avery to preschool for once and for being able to spend movie night in the middle of the week with the girls! :)

Thankful for pumpkin carving and roasted pumpkin seeds!

40 Days of Thankfulness Day 10: I'm thankful that so many people have joined me in having gratitude and passing it on. Sending out positive energy creates more positive energy. It can be life changing!

40 Days of Thankfulness Day 11: I'm thankful for the warm sunshine, lunch out with my fav co-workers, and the extra few minutes with Jason before work!

40 Days of Thankfulness Day 12: Today I'm thankful for love that is intoxicating, laughs that are contagious, and mornings that allow me time to breathe deeply.Thankful for the extra hour of sleep I will be getting along with my mani/pedi!

40 Days of Thankfulness Day 13: I'm thankful for being able to walk for an hour and meditate, for having extra money to pamper myself, and for all of the broken roads in my life - no matter what it was God always blessed me and led me in the right direction - I would not change the events in my life for anything.

40 Days of Thankfulness Day 14: I'm thankful for this Monday with the sun shining bright and all the possibilities it brings for a new week! Have a blessed day friends!!

40 Days of Thankfulness Day 15: I'm thankful for my mom and dad. Almost 33 years ago they adopted me and opened the doors of opportunity for me to experience all life has to offer.Many things I'm certain I would not have done had it not been for them. I ♥ you both!

40 Days of Thankfulness Day 16: I'm thankful for God's little "surprises," the existence of prenatal yoga, my fetal doppler, and SmartFood White Cheddar Cheese Popcorn! :)

40 Days of Thankfulness Day 17: I'm thankful for the Thanksgiving dinner I will have tonight - no cooking, time with family, and some great homemade food!

40 Days of Thankfulness Day 18: I'm thankful for ALL the men and women who serve our country in all ways and their families. That is true sacrifice. I'm thankful to be an American!

40 Days of Thankfulness Day 19: I'm thankful for a slow day of Cafe Brazil, movies, and enjoying watching fall blanket over the trees! What a beautiful day once again!

Day 19 Part ii- I'm thankful for Jason taking my rings and having them cleaned and polished!! They sparkle again

Day 19 Part III- I'm thankful that we all have the choice to change our ways at anytime. Its never too late. (Courtesy of Charles Dickens)

40 Days of Thankfulness Day 20: I'm thankful for learning and knowing about homeopathy. No matter what we have going on those remedies are always SO helpful and soothing.

I'm also thankful for Braum's strawberry ice cream! YUMMY!

40 Days of Thankfulness Day 21: I'm thankful for Advocare and that I can still have spark. Otherwise todays implementation of a new system would not be as positive for me! ;)

40 Days of Thankfulness Day 22: I'm thankful that I can wear jeans any day of the week, for co-workers that make me laugh hard, for family time at night and for Tuesdays.

40 Days of Thankfulness Day 23: Rough day but here I am. I'm thankful for those friends that are there through thick and thin; the ones that don't sit in judgement but sit while holding your hand; those that know you inside and out and aren't afraid of what they see; those that will walk with you no matter what. I wish...

40 Days of Thankfulness Day 24: This morning I'm thankful for the 10 hours of sleep we all got, for lavender oil and all it's uses, and for a little lotion called Renew that has totally healed up the girls' eczema! :)

40 Days of Thankfulness Day 25: I'm thankful for Jason and what a great role model and dad he is to the girls. They adore him, beg for him to stay home with them, beg for them to take them to school, and when they are crabby he is the one to get them happy. I regret nothing in my life because without it I would not be blessed with him in my life.

40 Days of Thankfulness Day 26: I'm thankful for super early birthday presents, making time to spend with Jason in the early morning before the world wakes up, pillows, Meyer's cleaning products, pillows, lunch with new friends, pillows, Sharpie pens, down pillows, Christmas shopping, and did I say pillows?

Day 26 part II- I'm thankful for Christmas music, peppermint mochas and a day out with my girls!

40 Days of Thankfulness Day 27: I'm thankful for waking up to a 4 year singing: ♫ Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, Give thanks to the Lord for He is good ♫

40 Days of Thankfulness Day 28: Today I'm thankful for a very healthy baby #3!!!

40 Days of Thankfulness Day 29: I'm thankful for my health, for a healthy baby BOY, for healthy girls full of life, drama, and love; for a husband who makes even the smallest things in life fun, for my family and friends and for Facebook which allows me to connect with them on a daily basis!

40 Days of Thankfulness Day 30: I'm thankful for the sunny day and time to breathe.

40 Days of Thankfulness Day 31: I'm thankful for the piano. I'm thankful that I took lessons. The sound still speaks to my soul & my dream is to move my babygrand here with me to share that sound with the girls and baby!

40 Days of Thankfulness Day 31 Part II: Thankful I can provide the girls with a home, toys & clothes that they want & need;have a car to drive them to school. I'm VERY thankful for great stores like Sprouts & Whole Foods. I think nothing of buying eggplant, vitamins, or organic milk/eggs-in the past 2 days we've encountered moms who had to live in community housing & who have never even seen an eggplant. I wanted to take them on a field trip!

40 Days of Thankfulness Day 32: I'm thankful for 10 days off from work with my girls. Thankful that Jason agreed to go shopping with me on Black Friday. Thankful that tomorrow we will get to take the girls to visit Santa and the Reindeer. Lastly - thankful that I ca surprise Jason and take him to see New Moon later tonight. :) I'm sure he'll be THRILLED! ;)

40 Days of Thankfulness Day 33: I really am thankful that I've been standing in line for an hour with a crazy 4 year old running laps around me, an 8 year old that's starving, and a VERY patient Jason who makes me laugh anyway...Santa is late!

40 Days of Thanfulness Day 34: I'm thankful for Avery's extra special talk with Santa, for decor getting put up, homemade peppermint bark candy, and for people who carry the spirit of Chistmas with them all year long.

40 Days of thankfulness Day 35: I'm SOOO Thankful that I get a whole week off of work for the holiday. The girls and I are thrilled!!!

40 Days of Thankfulness Day 36: I'm thankful for endings - no matter how painful they are at times. Without endings there would be no beginning and I am thankful for those just as much.

Day 36 Part II: I'm thankful for great music like Kutless. I just bought their new album on iTunes.

40 Days of Thankfulness Day 37: A very, very bad cold has set in and I feel horrible, so two thankful thoughts today 1. Thankful that I can stay home today and rest 2. Thankful that I have already made reservations for Jason and I at III Forks in Dallas for lunch tomorrow.!

Day 37 Part II: SOOOO thankful for the homeopathic cold meds. I am feeling better already! And to whichever Seminole resident that introduced me to sausage balls - THANK YOU! I just made 2 lbs of sausage worth - bet it won't last long - they are sooooo yummy!

40 Days of Thankfulness Day 38: I'm thankful for this day. I'm thankful for YOU. I'm thankful for however our paths crossed once upon a time. Happy Thanksgiving!

DAY 38 PART II: A 3 course meal at III Forks and 3 movies later......its been a holiday to remember. . .

40 Days of Thankfulness Day 39: I'm thankful for a husband who is willing to shop early on Black Friday and does better than I do with good deals!!

Day 39 part II: I'm thankful that our elves showed up and left Super Mario Bros Wii game. They played it first, of course. Its sooo fun. Even Avery can play!!!

40 Days of Thankfulness Day 40: I'm thankful for perfect timing. God's hand is always in it-a song playing on the radio at the right time with the right words to get you through the day; a check in the mail for just the amount of $ you need; a surprise phone call/visit; words spoken by a complete stranger; the wind changing course, a stop light, a hug, a smile. GRATITUDE for all things IN ALL THINGS reaps ABUNDANCE.

40 Days of Thankfulness

I decided to "Google" 40 Days of Thankfulness. If it's caught on in the Facebook world, I wanted to see what else was out there and surprisingly enough, I found a blogger who ran across the idea and began posting her days of thankfulness in her blog. 


Today marks the 40th Day for me. 


40 Days of Thankfulness Day 40: I'm thankful for perfect timing. God's hand is always in it-a song playing on the radio at the right time with the right words to get you through the day; a check in the mail for just the amount of $ you need; a surprise phone call/visit; words spoken by a complete stranger; the wind changing course, a stop light, a hug, a smile. GRATITUDE for all things IN ALL THINGS reaps ABUNDANCE.



This has been such a cleansing and eye opening journey for me. However, even though I'm at the "end of the exercise" my attitude of gratitude cannot end here. I try to think of it more as a beginning. The 40 days was just the beginning of how my heart needs to be in each day of my life. 
As I discuss perfect timing in my thanks for today, I reflect back on my night last night and the previous day with Jason. 


Thursday: 


9:30 AM The girls leave for Thanksgiving with their dad and his family. 
9:45 Jason and I leave for a fun filled day together, in celebration, in love, and in need of not sitting in an empty quiet house. 
10:00 Cinemark - The Blind Side - what an excellent movie - no expectations of it, but I would see it again and again and most likely will add it to my "The Girls Need to Watch This" movie collection. 
12:25 Leave movie and head south to III Forks for a 3 course meal
12:45 We are seated and began giving thanks for all we have, are able to provide, and the course both of our lives have taken up to this point
2:00 We leave and head north again - time for New Moon - much better than the first, but a little disappointed it wasn't better ( The Blind Side was REALLY good)
4:30 It's Starbucks time - we barely make it before they close! 
5:00 Going to our 3rd movie of the day Precious - I was prepared for the content of this movie and, though, it was disturbing, I believe it painted a very real picture of many of the youth in our country. 
7:30 Now what? 


The whole day we had been right on time for every movie, every reservation, and even for a peppermint mocha! Perfect timing was in every move we made, every stop at a red light, every moment that danced across our day. 


We ended up at IHOP. I ordered a BLT and it came without the T. I laughed it off. After all, "T" had been our theme for the day- so had the number 3. Thursday, Thanksgiving, III Forks, 3 movies, and we never left the toll (Dallas North Tollway). 


After that we decided to get home for some sleep before the 4 AM trip to Target! 


As a complete side note, any man that can get up that early to shop with crazy people who use shopping carts as weapons, still find the good deals AND make me laugh in the wee hours - is perfect in my book. :) 


Last night after we got the girls to sleep and settled in their beds, we settled on the couch with som TV. 


Perfect timing.  Even though I have this movie - the channel that was on the screen was playing Facing the Giants. I don't care what type of movie watcher you are - this is an excellent movie with excellent scenes and a lifelong message if your heart is open to it.


God's timing is perfection. In the chaos, it IS perfection. Our attitudes reflect our hearts. Faith is going the distance BECAUSE we do not know what is ahead. 

As I watch, I realize that the main character decides (chooses) to show gratitude in every situation - win or loss, on the field or off. Once he decides to do this, his life takes an abundant turn. 


I begin thinking of this song that I accidentally stumbled upon last week:


I'm Still Yours - Kutless
When my life is not what I expected
The plans I made have failed
When there's nothing left to steal me away
Will You be enough for me?
Will my broken heart still sing?

If I lost it all, would my hands stay lifted
To the God who gives and takes away?
If You take it all, this life You've given
Still my heart will sing to You

Even if You take it all away
You'll never let me go
You take it all away and I still know
That I'm Yours, I'm still Yours



Gratitude in all things, FOR ALL THINGS creates ABUNDANCE. 

Change the World?

I just finished reading The Alchemist and one of the main motifs of the book is that everyone in the world has their own "personal legend." A personal legend is very much like a life's purpose or the path that God lead's us on. My Maddie would say her personal legend is to use her God-given talent for art and express emotion through her drawings or to cause emotion from those who see her art. 


I think we ALL have a purpose in life and many times it will involve our talent. 
I know people who are great at decorating, organizing events, giving, singing, drawing, writing, reading, drawing people closer to God, making people laugh, teaching.....


Well, the list could go on and on, but bottom line is even if you don't see it or don't believe it you have something to give the world. 


I think for some of us it's difficult to keep that focus when life gets in the way. We tend to forget how our talents are making other's day or making them smile or showing them something about themselves. 


If we choose to ignore these talents or stop listening to that intuition, then we are really failing to fulfill our life's purpose. True happiness comes from following through with those whispers from our soul that tell us to "do what we love." 


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40 Days of Thankfulness


Well, I'm on day 24. There have definitely been days where I've struggled with my nature to come up with something positive instead of leaning on the negative. 


Despite that struggle, I've managed to think of usually many, many things I'm thankful for on a daily basis. 


The greatest blessing for me is not only reminding myself of the power of my gratitude, but just how fast the idea has caught on with other people. 


My friends took the idea and their friends took the idea and so on and so forth....until now we have a 40 Days of Thankfulness group with over 200 members! 


It humbles me to see that so many people are taking this concept and literally running with it and passing it on to others. 


If you aren't on Facebook, MySpace or Twitter, don't let that stop you! Email your friends and send it out to them each day - or text them your thankfulness. It will surely catch on and chances are they will keep you accountable. :) 


We all have the ability or talent to change the world. Sometimes I think we get caught up in the need for it to be a BIG change, but when you think about it, it takes many, many tiny little snowflakes to create a blizzard. 


Let the gratitude blizzard continue . . .