The Gratitude Challenge: Days 8-11

I have fallen way behind on my Gratitude Challenge updates. I have no excuses other than Nate is in the process of getting his fourth molar and I have been utterly exhausted at the end of each day. If I'm grateful for one thing today, it's your forgiveness!




I admit that I haven't yet fulfilled this challenge. I know, BAD GIRL! But I did buy the prettiest thank you cards. I really want to take my time with the messages instead of throwing something together, hurriedly. I have, however, selected the five recipients and I know they will be delighted at my thoughtfulness.



On Tuesday, my husband was able to work from home in the evening so we could spend some quality time together. We ate dinner as a family and talked about our day. It was really special. We normally eat separately off of TV trays in the living room but we nixed the informal in favor of our neglected dining room table. It made me realize how much I really miss our time together. Especially just the two of us. We are so caught up in our busy lifestyles and with his working two jobs, we don't get much time for deep conversation. I was truly appreciative that time was on our side that night.



Yesterday, Nate and I went for a walk in the park. It was a beautiful fall day - not too hot and not too chilly. There was a cool breeze in the air that brushed my hair as I wandered past. Absolutely perfect. As I took in all that surrounded us, I was ever thankful for my sense of sight. Without it, I would not be able to see and appreciate nature, the flora and fauna. And I don't know how I could live without seeing my sweet boy's face each morning as he grins joyfully for the possibilities beheld by a new day.



Today was a fairly low-key day. I had cleaning to do so Nate and I stayed indoors and played the entire day. I got down on his level - on the floor - to zoom his toy cars across the carpet. As I bumped them into his extremities, he would let out the biggest, most gratifying belly laughs. We wrestled about, crawling and chasing one another. We had so much fun, just being goofy. It was just the two of us and I could let loose and go crazy without a care. I think we all need to take time to be childish once in a while.

As he giggled, I couldn't think of a better, more satisfying place to be. At that moment, all was right with the world.

The Gratitude Challenge: Days 6 & 7

This weekend marked days 6 & 7 of the Gratitude Challenge.

My task for yesterday was to call someone I hadn't talked to recently. I decided to phone a friend of mine - one of my dearest friends actually. She is married with no children (by choice) and since I have given birth, we have drifted apart quite a bit. We still love each other and we still see each other on occasion. But we don't speak to one another or hang out as often as we once used to. Life has just taken us in two different directions. I called and got voicemail but strangely, I chose not to leave a message. I'm not sure why I grew intimidated at the sound of the beep. Perhaps I wasn't sure what to say in a message that wasn't urgent in nature. But I regret that I didn't take the opportunity to tell her how much her friendship means to me, despite the obvious distance between us. I must definitely make it up to her - and to myself.

Today's challenge was to take a picture of something that makes me feel grateful.



With every sip of my pumpkin pie latte, I would close my eyes and appreciate each savory drop. My son was asleep in his crib and my husband was asleep on the couch. It was just me in my own little world. But I felt complete.

The Gratitude Challenge: Day 5

Today marks Day 5 of the Gratitude Challenge. My task is to make a list of all the blessings I currently have.

I found this challenge to be one of the easiest thus far. After all, I already feel so blessed in my life that acknowledging them publicly should only come naturally. My blessings are as follows:

• My son - my miracle after 2 miscarriages and over 2 years trying to conceive
• My husband - my best friend, my lover
• A supportive, loving family
• Fulfilling friendships, both in real life and online
• A Lord above, protecting my family and loved ones
• The ability to live on one income so I can be a stay-at-home mom
• A nice home to rent, filled with comfortable furniture
• Food overflowing our pantry
• A dependable vehicle
• My education, which gives me potential
• My health
• My youth
  

This is just scraping the surface. There is so much more I could write but for the sake of time - and my fingers - I will stop here.

This is a great list to fall back on whenever I am down and need a good pick-me-up - or wake-up call - about how blessed I truly am.

The Gratitude Challenge: Day 4

It's Day 4 of the Gratitude Challenge and my task for today is to give thanks for something negative in my life. It's easy to be thankful for the positive things in our lives - the things that bring smiles to our faces. But it's much more challenging to be grateful for the contrary, or to spin a bad thing into a good thing. When I'm in the throes of perdition, I often misplace my rose-colored glasses.

I must admit that this challenge was particularly hard because, at this time in my life, there are many more positive things that come to mind than negative. I feel very fortunate, and am thankful for that in itself. But I do have a few superficial issues I can pick from in order to complete this activity.

One of my petty complaints is that my soon-to-be 14-month old is still not sleeping through the night. He wakes up once or twice overnight, screaming to nurse (yes, I'm still breastfeeding!). I've tried to Ferberize with little success. Perhaps its because I have no backbone but I can't stand to hear him wail and not respond. It feels...heartless. So, he often winds up in bed with the hubby and I for at least a portion of the night. It's not how I imagined our sleep situation would be but it is what it is. I'm as exhausted and frustrated as the mother of a newborn, feeling as if we've plateaued.

But if I step back and take a deep breath, I am thankful for this. When my son wakes me from a peaceful sleep, I am comforted knowing he is alive. I am reminded of the precious gift of parenthood that has been bestowed unto me. Having suffered through infertility, I've met dozens of women who are unable to get pregnant or have children of their own. They would give anything to have a baby keep them up all night long. It wasn't too long ago I felt the same way.

So, when my son wakes up in a few hours to be fed, I will wear a smile on my face as I retrieve him. Because he is my gift from God. My blessing. And I am forever grateful for his presence in my life. Even as he screams at 3 a.m.

The Gratitude Challenge: Day 3

It's Day 3 of the Gratitude Challenge and my task is to write about something I am grateful for today.

Today, I am grateful for HOME. We don't own; we rent a single-family cape cod on Maryland's Eastern Shore. I often complain about its quaintness. Our kitchen doesn't have a garbage disposable and our rooms have no crown molding. It's nothing fancy. It's simple. Uncomplicated. And with my toddler tornado, it's almost always a wreck. But it's also my solace. It's my shelter, where I spend most of my quality time with my family. The community is peaceful, with numerous amenities including a pool, nature trails and private beach. The neighborhood is family-friendly and I love that people aren't afraid to say hi to one another as they pass. All in all, I love where I live.

Today, I am grateful to have a roof over my head when there are so many out there without.

The Gratitude Challenge: Day 2

It's Day 2 of the 21-day Gratitude Challenge! Today's task is to use the alphabet to take note of what I'm grateful for.

This exercise was much harder than I initially thought it would be. But it really made me dig deep down inside of myself. I had to think long and hard about qualities I admire in myself and others, as well as things that make me happy or make me feel whole.

So without further ado, here is my Alphabet of Thanks:

The crunch of the first delicious bite of an Apple
My precious Babies - my son here on Earth and my two lost babies in heaven
The aroma of freshly brewed Coffee
The faithfulness and loyalty of my Dogs
The Environment that sustains us
Friends and family - who support me in whatever I do
God's promises to us
My Health and that of my loved ones
My Integrity
My husband's Job - his salary allows me to stay at home with our son
The Kindness of strangers
Fall Leaves falling from the trees
Marriage - my husband is my soul mate
Nature - in all its splendor
The sound of Ocean waves crashing on the shore - so soothing
Pumpkin pie
Peace and Quiet
The breastfeeding Relationship with my son - almost 14 months now!
Strength - to overcome adversity
Technology - which makes our lives more convenient
Unconditional love
Valor of our troops risking their lives for our nation
Clean Water to replenish my body
XML - so I can pursue my hobby of blogging
Memories of my Youth
Zest for life

Are you participating in the Gratitude Challenge? It's not too late to join me and take the pledge. Be sure to link up below so I can follow you and see what you're grateful for. The more perspectives we share on this journey, the more motivated we can become.

World Gratitude Day: The Gratitude Challenge

Did you know that today is World Gratitude Day?

With our hectic lives, it's so easy to get bogged down with minute details. Cooking. Cleaning. Housework. Diapers. Playdates. Naptime. Errands. Blogging. It's no wonder we often feel like there isn't enough time in a day to get it all done. We're always striving to do more - to be better - that we hardly ever stop to smell the roses anymore. We don't stop to appreciate life as it is. Right now.

But TinyPrints is trying to change that with a simple social experiment: The Gratitude Challenge. They recently asked 30 high-profile bloggers to volunteer their time and to take part in a 21-day challenge that encouraged them to take note of the brighter side of life. For each day of the challenge, participants were asked to perform one small task to give thanks and take note of what they are grateful for. The exercise proved to be so enlightening to all involved that they are now seeking broader support for the campaign.

At Tiny Prints, we believe that sharing gratitude for everyday experiences can revitalize our commitment to living life in a sensational way. As a result, we invite you to spend a few minutes each day to count all of life's little blessings.

Check out this inspiring video compilation of the impact of the gratitude movement:



For the next 21 days, I'll be taking the challenge. On Twitter and on my blog, I'll be participating in the activities and sharing with you all of the things that I am thankful for. Hopefully, we can learn more about each other and see life from a new, sunnier perspective.

Take note, give thanks and join the movement by taking the pledge today. Oh, and check back tomorrow to read my first assignment!