Thankful All Year

A long time ago, I started a little habit. I wanted to know if it was possible to find joy in every single ordinary day. What I got out of it was not just a list of little, happy things but a new perspective. Looking for thankfulness became my favorite game. Gratitude literally carried me through some of the hardest times of our life.

It’s not magic. It’s simply intentional gratitude. It’s pausing in the middle of crazy days to notice the way the sun makes raindrops look like diamonds. It’s spending a few moments on the front porch after dark just to enjoy the fireflies. It’s taking a deep breath when life is hard and thanking God for the sunrise.

 

I call this my joy journal. My record of beauty.

• Because, the saying that says there’s a golden side to every cloud…its true.
• Because the sayings that say that no matter how dark the day, there’s always a glimmer… its true.
• Because the saying that there is something beautiful about every day…its true, too.

And it is amazing on days when my heart feels blue, what a pick up it is to go back and read my little lists of thankfulness.

Thankfulness isn’t about Thanksgiving Day or one single day out of the year. It’s about being intentional about being thankful all year long.

How we view life is made up so much of what we look for on the days when we feel the least like being thankful. Gratitude inspires hope and keeps joy alive.

So this year, I want to challenge you. Start a joy journal. Be intentional about daily gratitude.

Make it your goal this year to focus on beauty, on goodness, on blessings, and give your heart every reason- no matter what circumstances may bring- to be truly thankful.

Not just in November, but every single day of the year.