Week #324 – Keep Counting! (35 Days of Gratitude Starts Now!)
Greetings Tribe — and Happy Holidays!
I almost didn’t want to do this one this year…in fact, that’s why I’m posting late (it’s now Saturday). This is a year that’s had its way with us. We’re all sick of playing games, all sick of pretending it’s some test, all sick of making the most of it, or waiting for it to JUST GO AWAY ALREADY.
It reminds me of the first year after Rob died…it felt like if we just made it through, if we just got it right and grieved the right way, it would somehow all be over.
It isn’t.
I, like you, am sick of it. I’m tired. I’m worn out. I’m sad, and angry, and confused, and some days exhausted from laying awake at night wondering if and how and when this might end.
The answer is…we don’t know. Which leaves us with one option:
What do we know?
I think that’s where we’re at this season. Back to April mentality…what do we know? In some ways we know a lot more: we know our mail is safe and that we don’t need to burn our work clothes each day or strip down to nothing when we get back to the house. We’ve narrowed down which activities seem most dangerous: funerals, weddings, parties, celebrations…all manner of large gatherings in tight spaces.
In other words, holidays. Ugh…holidays.
2020 has led us right to where we didn’t want to be…at the end of the year, looking to pull close together with those we love most, but being asked to stay apart.
This year, it might be hard to feel grateful. And at times, it might feel downright silly.
Which is exactly why we shouldn’t stop. There are 35 days left in the year. If you were counting your blessings in November, keep going. If not, now is a great time to start.
Thanksgiving may be “over”…but there is no reason to let the gratitude stop. November is known as “Gratitude Month”…but for the past few years I’ve proposed we keep it going. This year should be no different…and it may even be more important.
And so, I wanted to repeat my challenge once again this year…to you and to myself: to continue giving thanks into December and give ourselves the gift of gratitude this holiday season!
Your Happyness Challenge for the weeks ahead: KEEP COUNTING! Amid the stress and uncertainty of the season ahead…give YOURSELF the gift of gratitude! You can print out a PDF of the calendar above…or check out Week #322 for ten fun “Gratitude Game” ideas for how to keep track. However you do it, come New Year’s Eve — you’ll have 35 reminders to celebrate all that is going right and well in your life! And I will too!
(This idea was born out of my own lack of gratitude four years ago. You can read about it on Week #115.)
Spread Happyness — Share Freely! And start counting your blessings today!
11/27/20 by Grace Church
© Grace Church
grace@spreadhappyness.com