“It’s not happy people who are thankful.
It is thankful people who are happy.” (Unknown)
Several years ago, our women’s group (we call ourselves the Beautiful Mess, which couldn’t describe us any better) read and walked through one of my all-time favorite books, One Thousand Gifts, by Ann Voskamp. The author had gone on a mission to find three things a day for one year for which she could find grace and beauty, gifts as she came to call them, and give thanks for them. By the end of the year, she had accumulated over 1,000 of these gifts (for you non-math people, that’s 365 x 3 = 1,095), hence the name of the book.
This began my journey of thanks. Since I am thankful-challenged, I downloaded an app simply called “thankful”, a private gratitude journal. I began to keep track of one thing a day because my phone buzzed every night at 7 pm to remind me and I received one of those red notification circles that forced me to get rid of it. (How many are on your phone as you read this? I have to get rid of them at all costs. It’s my mission in life.)
As of today, I am at 385 (and to confess, it’s been about 3 1/2 years, and now it’s your turn to do the math).
This prodded me to take another small step, this time posting one “someone” each day this past November on social media for which I was grateful. It brought me great joy and kept me grounded during the holiday rush and gently reminded me of the people in my life that are true gifts (I can see you right now checking my Timeline to see if you might have been one of them).
My thanksgiving ritual extended beyond November as I started to share a “something” or “someone” each #thankfulthursday on social media. Still not having overcome my thankful-challenged ways, I set a reminder each Thursday at 12 pm to receive another one of those very annoying red circles (yes, I deem them the bane of my existence).
And now here comes the “giant leap for mankind” in my gratitude journey. After all, I do believe the quote above and certainly could use a little more happiness in my life. I hope to send some your way as well.
Now, with no further ado, and what you actually came on the site to read, my week of thanks:
Headspace App (For those who have the same delightful disorder of anxiety that I do, this has been worth the cost. In fact, last night when I was awake at 3 am, this was a life-saver and a sleep-giver. Whoever you are, you British man with a soothing buttery voice, I could listen to you all day.)
Clematis in full bloom (This beauty welcomes me every time I open my garage door for three blissful weeks in late May, early June.)
Our Penguins winning the Stanley Cup (When we were getting married, my father-in-law was our best man. His toast was the following: “The three most important words in any marriage are the following: Pirates, Penguins, Steelers.” This has, I hate to admit, proven to be true. Congrats to Syd the Kid and all the rest. And to my adopted home city of Pittsburgh, PA.)
Some of the sweetest words ever spoken in our home on Wednesday by my son Josh: “Sure Mom, I can make dinner.” Enough said.
One of my “fifth children’s” bridal shower and having the privilege of mentoring her and her fiancee on their marriage journey. #marriedtothemax
Hanging out at Lincoln Center watching my niece make our family look smart by becoming a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.
Lastly, all of you, my readers, my life-giving and hope-sharing readers (you just might be on this list every week).