I am a member of a MOPS group at my church (Mothers of Preschoolers). I find this group of caring, compassionate, like-minded women to be a lifeline for me! For the month of November, my discussion group decided to keep what we called a "gratitude journal" for the entire month. The goal: to write down something we are thankful for EACH DAY. At least one thing. It could be anything, something big, something small. The onbly requirement was that we were sincere.
IN the beginning, I admit it was not easy. I would sit in bed at night and strain to remmeber the day, " what good thing happenend today?" I would ask myself. But as the days passed, I found it easier to think of things, and even to note in the middle of my day, " Oh! This is something I can write down! I am thankful for this moment!!"
THen, last week, my group got together at my house and we shared some of our entries with each other. We all aggreed it was a wonderful exercise and much needed. As moms, its all too easy to focus on the frustration, on the things that didnt go according to plan that day.. whatever plan we thought we could follow. We focus on the times our children DIDNT do what we asked, instead of the times WHEN THEY DID. We remember the tantrums, not the cuddle moments on the couch with a book.
SO, I wanted to share some of the things I noted this month I was grateful for: But, its only the beginning. I plan to continue my journal. JOY in the Simple Things!!
Nov 1 -my husband
Nov 3 - the colors of changing fall leaves
Nov 4 - the right to vote!
Nov 6 - good medical care for my family
Nov 8 - my daughters smile
Nov 10 - a decaf coffee, still hot when I drank it!
Nov 12 - other parents who understand what Im going through
Nov 13 - 6 hours of sleep! Straight!
Nov 14 - flowers from my husband (it was the 14th anniv of our FIRST DATE! And he remembered!)
Nov 18 - a peaceful day, no sibling rivalry
Nov 25 - a hot shower
Nov 26 - a car that works
Nov 28 - my parents who are still alive and healthy
Nov 29 - a DVD player in the car on a long drive in traffic
IN the beginning, I admit it was not easy. I would sit in bed at night and strain to remmeber the day, " what good thing happenend today?" I would ask myself. But as the days passed, I found it easier to think of things, and even to note in the middle of my day, " Oh! This is something I can write down! I am thankful for this moment!!"
THen, last week, my group got together at my house and we shared some of our entries with each other. We all aggreed it was a wonderful exercise and much needed. As moms, its all too easy to focus on the frustration, on the things that didnt go according to plan that day.. whatever plan we thought we could follow. We focus on the times our children DIDNT do what we asked, instead of the times WHEN THEY DID. We remember the tantrums, not the cuddle moments on the couch with a book.
SO, I wanted to share some of the things I noted this month I was grateful for: But, its only the beginning. I plan to continue my journal. JOY in the Simple Things!!
Nov 1 -my husband
Nov 3 - the colors of changing fall leaves
Nov 4 - the right to vote!
Nov 6 - good medical care for my family
Nov 8 - my daughters smile
Nov 10 - a decaf coffee, still hot when I drank it!
Nov 12 - other parents who understand what Im going through
Nov 13 - 6 hours of sleep! Straight!
Nov 14 - flowers from my husband (it was the 14th anniv of our FIRST DATE! And he remembered!)
Nov 18 - a peaceful day, no sibling rivalry
Nov 25 - a hot shower
Nov 26 - a car that works
Nov 28 - my parents who are still alive and healthy
Nov 29 - a DVD player in the car on a long drive in traffic
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