becoming intentionally grateful

Today I am grateful for Mr. Scandinavian Mullet, our house, and the beautiful fall-ish weather here at the end of the summer. I am grateful for many, many more things than these, but those are the three on my list right now. 

Free gratitude printable available
at CarrieElle.com.

Earlier this year, I started cultivating a habit of listing out three things I am thankful for each morning when I wake up, and three more each night before I sleep. At the time, several people I knew independently were doing this and talking about what a positive impact it had on their life. It seemed such a small thing, it took only a minute or two, I figured it couldn't hurt to try it myself.

Well, initially this turned out to be difficult for me to actually do. I either couldn't think of three things, or I couldn't remember to DO IT, and instead of feeling blissfully grateful I'd end up sorely frustrated with myself for my failure to implement this habit. So much for it adding to my life. 

Despite my frustration, I kept trying. I remember wondering how everyone else could come up with so many things - I was always defaulting to "my husband, my dogs, and our good health" [which, to be clear, are absolutely worthy things to list and I am very, very grateful for all of them]. Looking back, even though it was predictable and boring, listing the same three things was a great start to establish the habit. Eventually I got more creative with what I listed. And now I am pretty sure I could easily fill up this page with things, people, places, tastes, moments and experiences I am thankful for, just in the past 24 hours! 

What I've noticed is I am generally happier now, than I was at the beginning of the year. I feel less stressed overall, and when stress does come (I mean, it's life, after all) I'm able to see it for what it is - stress, an uncomfortable feeling about a situation. And I see it, I feel it and move on instead of reacting to it by letting it take root in my thoughts, dictate my emotions and ruin my mood. THIS is progress and I am grateful for THAT. 

Leaves are starting to turn here in Colorado and there is snow up on Mt. Blue Sky. We went to our first Oktoberfest celebration last night at Seedstock Brewery, and yup, you guessed it: I am grateful for new friends who introduced me to a wonderful new brewery, old friends to catch up with over beers and brats while there, and the glorious, PERFECT weather we had while sitting out on the patio. I expect by the end of today I'll be grateful for bike rides, fresh veggies, and a delicious dinner we cook on the grill. I hope you have a great week full of things to be thankful for. 

--

"... give thanks in all circumstances..." - 1 Thessalonians 5:18, NIV