I accepted a challenge today and thought you might like to join in!
Let me tell you about it.
We were talking about how our thoughts control our feelings and actions. For example, someone cuts you off in traffic and you can…
Think about what an idiot they are as your stress level and blood pressure rise, you grip the steering wheel more tightly and your driving becomes more aggressive.
Or… you can think, “Man, that guy’s in a hurry! I hope everything is ok! House isn’t burning down, wife in labor in the back seat, kid dying in the hospital. It’s a good thing I was here to hold that spot in traffic so he could get wherever he needs to be!” You say a quick prayer that he gets wherever safely, smile happily to yourself and enjoy the drive.
Your thoughts changed your feelings and actions and even the situation!
As a man thinketh, so is he.
Think happy thoughts, be a happy person.
Think about yelling at your child, and eventually you’ll yell at them.
Think about how much you like your husband, and he becomes easier for you to like.
Think about being a great cook and your cooking improves.
Wait.
Really?
My cooking will improve? What the…?
Yes. Because when you see yourself as a great cook, you’ll be more likely to spend time cooking, to read cookbooks, and to shop carefully for the right ingredients. That’s what good cooks do, right? And since you are a good cook, that’s what you’ll do, too.
So here’s the Gratitude 30 Challenge.
On day 1 write a goal on a card. Something you’d love to achieve or become. Put the card where you will see it several times a day. (You might want more than one card.)
Then, for 30 days–
Picture yourself attaining the goal several times a day. Perhaps you put the card in your purse, and every time you see it there you pause for a second to picture yourself being a more patient mother, or being 10 pounds lighter, or being able to remember people’s names.
Don’t let negative thoughts about your goal linger. If they pop into your head– banish them immediately until your 30 days are over. You can think you’re fat next month. This month you’re thinking about being thin.
Do 5 acts of service each day. They don’t need to be big. Hold a door for someone. Say “thank you!” to someone you wouldn’t usually talk to. Make your daughter’s bed. 5 a day- kinda like fruits and veggies.
Write 15 things you are grateful for each day. No repeats. Be careful here! Don’t list “my kids” on day 1, because then all the individual great things about your kids have already been summed up. Be specific. “The way Katie helps with the dishes,” leaves room tomorrow for another great thing about Katie.
And that’s it! As we send positive energy into the world, it brings positive energy back to us. And the positive goal we are focused on shifts into place. Becomes part of who we are.
I’ve decided to do it. The whole 30! I’ve written my goal on a little card. I did 5 small acts of service today and wrote my first list of 15 things I’m grateful for in the journal beside my bed.
I’d like you to join me! And I’m encouraging you to post your commitment here– in the comments section of this post– along with something you’re grateful for. Each day from now until June 23, when you post a comment on this post saying something you’re grateful for, (or your goal, or a small act of service you did,) you’ll be entered in a drawing for a $10 Amazon Gift Card! Because books are something we can all be grateful for!
So- leave a comment stating that you’re taking the Gratitude 30 Challenge and something you’re grateful for, and you’re entered once. Come back tomorrow and leave another comment about something you’re grateful for, and you’re entered again. And so on for 30 days. (Yes, I know June 23 is a bit more than 30 days away. I won’t actually be able to hold the drawing until the 23rd, and this gives everyone a couple of extra days to find out about this and join in.) Don’t worry if you’re starting late. You’re welcome to join at any time. Just count your 30 days from the time you start.
One thing I’m particularly grateful for today is warmer weather. Another is A/C in my car. =)
Let the gratitude begin! =D
a goal…A goal…hmm, have to think but acts of service and being thankful will do
Oh goodie! I'd been wanting to do something like this, but just needed a little push to get started!
Today I'm very thankful for cooler weather, since our AC unit is not yet installed. =)
I'm glad you are joining in! 🙂 and I hope your AC gets up and running soon!
Today I'm especially grateful for the teachers who make my classes AMAZING!!! =D
(And no- I'm not in the running for the gift card. I just want to share something I'm grateful for every day!)
=)
Today I am grateful for the way little kids eyes light up when they figure something out. There is no hiding it when they learn something new because they beam like sunshine.
Danielle- I love that too! It's one of my all-time favorite Mommy moments. 🙂
Today I am grateful for caring coworkers who welcome me back to a job with open, warm and friendly arms 🙂
I am thinking of a goal. Part of it depends on what happens with my foot and the cortisone shot (another thing for which I am grateful) but I am thinking of one…
I am so pleased that people were excited To have you back and working with them again! 🙂 And I hope your foot gets better soon!
Today I am thankful that it's a "Hadley day" even though babysitting her makes life more difficult, she brings so much joy, it's always worth it! ( still have not figured out a goal!!)
There is nothing quite as happy as the joy little people bring to life. 🙂 I'm glad you have her in your life! 🙂
I am grateful for my comfy queen size bed! 🙂 And that you shared this challenge with us. Thank you!
I happen to love comfy beds. And pillows. And that's a major understatement. Remember when I wrote an ode to my pillow?
Tonight, after driving more than 300 miles today, I am grateful to be home. 🙂
I started the 30 day challenge a couple of days ago, I just never commented! So, here it is.
Right now, at 7:28 in the morning, I am so grateful for a little boy who sleeps through the whole night. I'm especially grateful for those days when I wake up on my own – no alarm and no screaming baby. That was this morning. =)
Thank you for posting this challenge!
I am so glad he slept! And slept! And kept sleeping! And then woke up. 🙂 happy day! And peaceful night!
Tonight I am grateful for movies that make me cry and remind me how incredibly blessed I am. Life is hard but beautiful and I am so happy to have the life that I have.
Life IS hard and beautiful. Thank you for posting that. 🙂 care to share which movie? I love good movies that aim for the heart.
Today's grateful moment brought to you by: friends, good men in the world, a physically able body, wrenches, pallets, and the ability to laugh at myself 🙂
Amen! Especially to the ability to laugh part! 😀
Tonight I am grateful for my family. I love you guys. <3
Today, I am grateful for rain, particularly when it is done. I just love how it makes everything look better – the trees look greener, the grass looks happy, and even the streets look clean! I just had to stop and take a picture of our little pathway next to our apartment. Rain is a gift from heaven!
😀 Yes it is! And it smells pretty, too. 🙂
Today I'm' grateful for leggings. My whole life I've wanted to be comfortable in dresses. Leggings came into fashion and suddenly dresses are great! I can enjoy the twirliness of them, and be as comfortable as I am in pants. Thank you fashion people who provided a way for me to enjoy being feminin. 🙂
Today I am grateful for a good nights sleep (finally), and a day to have to be introspective before I start a new job.
I think a good night's sleep is one of the best things ever. 🙂
Today I am grateful that my boys are really good older brothers. Tennyson follows them around and they are so good at including him. There is nothing like watching a 7 year old lift and a 5 year old pull a little brother onto the trampoline so he can play too! Love it!
I can just see that in my mind! What wonderful brothers. This is how life should be. 🙂
I'm grateful for my beautiful bride who, I just found out, has been sensoring all of the books that she has been reading outloud to me. It is so nice to not have to read/listen to profanity while enjoying a good book!
Ha! She is a good person. And you are too! And she probably learned from me. I've been editing profanity out for my kids for years. 🙂
I am thankful today for good friends! =)
Me too! We had some wonderful new friends over and had a fun evening together. Friends make the world so much more happy!
😀
Tonight I am grateful for life's twists and turns. Just when I think I can see where it's taking me, life jumps the track and we're off on another wild adventure. Thank Heaven it never gets boring!
🙂
Today I am grateful for strawberry banana milk! Ohhhh it is so yummy and helps me start my day happy. 1/2 a banana, 2 strawberries, and 1 cup skim milk = a little taste of heaven!
Oh my goodness, Danielle! that sounds amazing! I know what I'm having for breakfast in the morning!
Tonight I'm grateful for academic advisers who give wise counsel. =)
Today I am thankful for cough drops that help my throat not hurt, and that the baby seems to be over his nasty cold… too bad I caught it from him =(
Rachel, I hope you all feel all better soon!
Today Im grateful for friends. (Have I listed this one before? I hope not.) They make life fun and happy and so much more bearable. Thank you all my friends.
In case I already listed that one, (might have- it's a big one for me), I'll also include people who go out of their way to help. Sometimes it's police officers, school counselors, doctors, or strangers in the grocery store. There are good people out there, and they make the world happier.
Good people, I love you.
=)
I'm grateful that I finally went fishing after too long! It just feels so good to do things you enjoy, even if you don't catch a fish this time.
Mike- I'm grateful for beautiful fishing spots and wonderful people to go with! 🙂
Tonight I'm especially grateful for stretching, and how much better it makes me feel. My back has been so sore lately, and after a good stretch tonight I'm feeling awesome! 😀
Tonight- or technically this morning- I'm grateful for my amazing kids. They have been through hell and back again, Rodney Atkins style. I love them and think they are awesome people. 😀
so teh winner will know Friday? I tried to do this and failed repeatedly. but I kept trying.
Yes! This Friday evening (when I finish boot camp) or Saturday morning I will post the winner! =D
And, btw, I am SO SO SO grateful for this amazing writing boot camp I'm attending! I have never been with such a concentrated group of professional creative writers in my life. These people are wickedly talented.
=)
I am so thankful today for my awesome sweetheart who takes such good care of our family! I love you Mike! =)
I am defintely late on this one, the challenge is over. . . but it's never to late to express gratitude.
Rebecca's blog–I love it
My three kids
My step daughter who now considers me a mom
My amazing husband
A dog who loves me in ways I don't even deserve
The town we live in. . . people here seem especially smart, non materialistic, and caring
My house
My friend Danielle who is coming to stay with me and cook for me this week. 🙂
Texting
Jesus
Prayer
Food
The moments when I lay in bed, just before I fall asleep, with my husbands arms wrapped around me
Working out–nothing beats the crap out of a bad mood like a good workout
Being able to feel pain–so much better than feeling numb
Friends
Kind strangers and acquantainces
Mountains
Trees
The camera on my phone
Beautiful nature
Hugs and kisses
Bob Harper
The scale (that sounds crazy, but controlling that aspect of my life is something that's huge to me)
memories
hope
babies
pillows and blankets
vacations
santa claus–what would the world be like without people who believed in Santa Claus?
books
music
Huge Congratulations to our winner- Danielle!
=D
And Danielle Hale- your list makes me happy. Thank you for posting! =)
I didn't even notice until just now that you two have the same first name. Slow. That's me.
=)