The nationally-designated day of Thanksgiving is fast approaching, and people are preparing for the feast: making lists, grocery shopping, figuring out the logistics of hosting, or making travel plans, if traveling. While all those preparations are good and necessary, Thanksgiving also requires reflection on what it is we are celebrating. What are we thankful for, right now?
When I started my blog nearly seven years ago (Wow! Has it really been that long?), I didn't really have any idea what I was doing, or what I wanted the blog to be. I decided upon the name, Thankful Me, in an effort to develop a greater sense of gratitude within myself. It is altogether too easy to be overwhelmed with life's circumstances, and bad news often screams out, "Listen to me!" Regardless of the trials and distractions that swirl around, though, there is good to be found and gratitude to be expressed. I knew that if I made it a habit to be thankful, I would be a more pleasant person and better equipped to handle life's challenges.
In 2013, I stumbled across the Ten Things of Thankful blog hop and was quickly welcomed and accepted as a co-host. Though the organization has changed over the years (founder Lizzi has passed the torch to Josie, and the hop no longer uses co-hosts, but rather now has its own designated blog), the purpose remains the same: to allow everyone to have a place to express thanks each week. Participants span the globe and have diverse views and backgrounds. Especially in an online setting, this could be a recipe for disaster. I'm sure we've all seen evidence on social media of hateful, vicious comments. What makes the Ten Things of Thankful blog hop so welcoming, supportive, and positive? I think it is that everyone who participates is focused on seeking the good.
Despite the differences, friendships formed, and the door is always open for more friends. Knowing that I will be writing a list every week, keeps me focused on looking for those little (and big) things every day that bring me a sense of gratitude. Telling myself that I am "Thankful Me," has changed me. I am more likely to think before complaining, and try to re-frame the situation. In reading the Ten Things of Thankful posts that others write, I get the feeling that I am not the only one who has changed from the exercise of gratitude.
Though my Ten Things of Thankful posts are generally numbered, this week I will demonstrate that participation in this blog hop does not require enumeration:
I'm thankful that thankfulness is a quality that can be practiced and developed, and that the end result is greater joy and happiness. I'm thankful for the big things in my life, like faith, family, and friends, and for the little things, like raspberries (the best fruit ever!)
Please consider joining us in expressing thankfulness each week. The blog hop goes live each week just after midnight (Central time) Thursday night, and stays open until Tuesday night. You can link up here. It's a simple thing to do, but the rewards are great.
Happy Thanksgiving!
When I started my blog nearly seven years ago (Wow! Has it really been that long?), I didn't really have any idea what I was doing, or what I wanted the blog to be. I decided upon the name, Thankful Me, in an effort to develop a greater sense of gratitude within myself. It is altogether too easy to be overwhelmed with life's circumstances, and bad news often screams out, "Listen to me!" Regardless of the trials and distractions that swirl around, though, there is good to be found and gratitude to be expressed. I knew that if I made it a habit to be thankful, I would be a more pleasant person and better equipped to handle life's challenges.
In 2013, I stumbled across the Ten Things of Thankful blog hop and was quickly welcomed and accepted as a co-host. Though the organization has changed over the years (founder Lizzi has passed the torch to Josie, and the hop no longer uses co-hosts, but rather now has its own designated blog), the purpose remains the same: to allow everyone to have a place to express thanks each week. Participants span the globe and have diverse views and backgrounds. Especially in an online setting, this could be a recipe for disaster. I'm sure we've all seen evidence on social media of hateful, vicious comments. What makes the Ten Things of Thankful blog hop so welcoming, supportive, and positive? I think it is that everyone who participates is focused on seeking the good.
Despite the differences, friendships formed, and the door is always open for more friends. Knowing that I will be writing a list every week, keeps me focused on looking for those little (and big) things every day that bring me a sense of gratitude. Telling myself that I am "Thankful Me," has changed me. I am more likely to think before complaining, and try to re-frame the situation. In reading the Ten Things of Thankful posts that others write, I get the feeling that I am not the only one who has changed from the exercise of gratitude.
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| Photo: A mother and daughter hug and look out on the ocean, which is seen between big rocks. The caption is a quote by Gordon T. Watts: "Joy and happiness are born of gratitude." |
I'm thankful that thankfulness is a quality that can be practiced and developed, and that the end result is greater joy and happiness. I'm thankful for the big things in my life, like faith, family, and friends, and for the little things, like raspberries (the best fruit ever!)
Please consider joining us in expressing thankfulness each week. The blog hop goes live each week just after midnight (Central time) Thursday night, and stays open until Tuesday night. You can link up here. It's a simple thing to do, but the rewards are great.
Happy Thanksgiving!
This was a wonderful perspective on what is so good about the Ten Things of Thankful group and our weekly link-up! I couldn't have said it nearly as well!
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree that when we begin to focus on reasons to be thankful (and items to include in the coming week's post) we adopt a new perspective that is more positive and hopeful, we begin to appreciate the little things and the big things, just like the one's you've noticed here. The awesome part is that we can share not only our thankfulness for faith, family, and friends, but also for the special little things like raspberries that make life sweet! As I fumbled with my cellphone early this morning I realized how thankful I am for my glasses that enable me to read those tiny words of text!
I also enjoy the freedom to work on my post when it fits in best that week, be it early or late, and to count to ten or not, depending on my mood at the moment. I believe that an attitude of gratitude has the power to change lives... our lives and the lives of everyone we come in contact with, it's contagious!!
Thank you for sharing with us so faithfully through these years, it will be fun to see where life takes us all in the months and years ahead, and you are right, this is a wonderful place of encouragement and celebration which I appreciate so very much! XOXO
Congratulations on 7 years of blogging! And I hope you and your family have a Happy Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteIt seemed like the internets let my comment fall through the mesh! (Basically said, it is good to use the practice as it is appropriate in this context both as noun and verb)
ReplyDeleteHave a good Thursday
Thank you for encouraging me to partake in this wonderful world of blogging and in specifically on the TToT blog hop. I'm living proof that even the older generation can tackle new things with a little help along the way. :-)
ReplyDelete