#Gratitude 30

The 2024 Gratitude Challenge Wrap Up

November 29, 2024

I tried. I really did.

I really wanted to be part of this year’s Gratitude Challenge, but I only managed to post about half of the time (which is better than I expected, to be honest). The good thing was that even if I didn’t post something for the day’s prompt, I did at least look at the prompt and think about what I was grateful for in relation to it. The gratitude is the point, not necessarily the public sharing of it. I always appreciate the chance to reflect on what I’m grateful for.

So here are six of my favorite posts from this year’s Gratitude Challenge. As always, thanks to Positively Present for creating and sponsoring the challenge. 
 

Day 1 Comfort
It’s been a long time since I posted here, and it’s been a rough few weeks (two hurricanes, etc.) but I can’t resist joining @positivelypresent’s annual Gratitude Challenge. Today’s prompt is comfort. My dog, Luna, is a source of comfort when I'm stressed (that is, if she's not causing the stress). A snuggle with her is guaranteed to bring down your blood pressure.


Day 2 Animals
Animals (today's Gratitude Challenge prompt) play a big role in my life. I love animals in general, and especially love my own beasts. I'm so very grateful that the one pictured here is still with me. He's an old guy and has had a rough year. Several times I thought I was about to lose him. But he's feeling good right now—so good that he's being naughty by splashing water out of the water trough. I guess to create his own pond??  Sorry, @cottonwoodequestriancenter


Day 3 Time
The most important thing I've learned about time is that it passes. Good times come and they go. So do hard times. That's something to be grateful for.


Day 5 Hope
I was thinking about today's Gratitude Challenge prompt, hope, I came upon a post written by Jenny Lawson (@thebloggess ). She wrote, “We may not be able to see what comes ahead but I know that no matter what, I’m here with you…around a flickering candle that will continue to shine. And I know that when my candle goes out you’ll lend me your flame…and vice versa. That’s how hope grows. That’s how kindness spreads.” Here's to helping the light of hope shine.


Day 24 Beauty
Lately my camera roll has been 90 percent reference pictures of items I need to replace, things I'm trying to sell, or shots of hurricane mess and cleanup. Not a lot of stereotypical “beauty,” for today's Gratitude Challenge prompt. I scrolled back nearly a year to find these shots from a sunset beach walk with some friends. (For me, beauty is most often found in nature.) Time to make some plans that don't involve home repairs.


Day 27 Quotes
Today's Gratitude Challenge prompt is “quotes.” Here's a favorite of mine, by a favorite artist:
“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.”—Vincent van Gogh

It’s true of life as well as art.

I hope you have much to be grateful for today and every day. Thank you so much for reading my posts and newsletters, and for taking the time to comment. It means more to me than you know and I’m grateful for you every day. 

Link love

Yes, I Am Alive Link Love

November 22, 2024

Me, looking for my latest to-do list
Image courtesy Ivana Tomášková from Pixabay

Hurricane Milton recovery has slowed our progress in prepping our house to sell, but we’re still lumbering along. I’ve had very little time for writing, and any thinking time I have fills up with to-do lists and more to-do lists. But I am still capturing simple pleasures where I can, still reading, still surfing the internet. I’m sooooo looking forward to having a “normal” to-do list rather than a “sell my house and move” to-do list. (And I will strangle my husband if he asks me what I did today one more time.)

I may be living in chaos right now, but here are a few islands of calm and positivity I’ve found online recently. Enjoy!

I’m immersed in home-related decisions so I loved the info in “What Makes a Home Feel Good?”  

I am ABSOLUTELY going to try “Living Inside a Movie…” What a fun way to find and enjoy simple pleasures! (I’m currently living in The Money Pit, but someday I hope to be living in Something’s Gotta Give. What movie are you living in?) 

Click here for a dose of animal cuteness. 

I love stories of ordinary people making life better, like this one. 

Have you heard of a “dopamine menu”? “A dopamine menu is a curated list of pleasurable, healthy habits and activities that naturally elevate your dopamine levels, boosting happiness, motivation, and focus,” according to this article. Jessica McCabe, the creator of the YouTube channel “How To ADHD” and author of How to ADHD: An Insider’s Guide to Working With Your Brain (Not Against It) originated the concept. A dopamine menu, like a restaurant menu, can be divided into sections including appetizers (quick ways to boost good feelings), entrees (longer duration activities that might take some planning), and sides (pleasurable activities done along with tasks that are necessary but not enjoyable). Sounds a lot like a more detailed categorization of simple pleasures and everyday adventures! 

Poor sleep definitely affects my mood, and over the past few years I’ve struggled to get a solid night’s rest. I had fallen into some of these “8 Sneaky Habits that Are Destroying Your Sleep.” After making some changes, I’m sleeping better. 

I loved the tips in “How to Start Assuming the Best in People,” from Steven Collis, a law professor at the University of Texas and author of Habits of a Peacemaker: 10 Habits to Change Our Potentially Toxic Conversations into Healthy Dialogues. We’re often too quick to judge people and situations as all good or all bad without allowing for nuance. 

Florida doesn’t have changing leaves in the fall, so I went here for my fall leaf fix. Sigh. 

Have a great weekend!