There always seems to be a lull after Christmas. The holiday season is often so busy that once it’s over, the house feels bare, our calendars free up a bit, and we all seem to forget the “reason for the season.” The months between Halloween and the New Year give constant reminders of gratitude and provide an abundance of opportunities to be grateful and to GIVE. But what about the months after all the trees and lights come down? Should we not STILL be thankful?

While in college, a friend of mine that had recently lost her dad, started a gratitude journal. I jumped on board with this activity as a way of supporting her and helping her stay focused on the positive. It was a daily activity that I continued YEARS after my college days, and it was in doing those lists that I really found my passion for writing.

At the end of every day, before I considered the day complete, I emailed a “Gratitude List” to my closest friends and family. Sometimes long, sometimes short, but always a list of things in my life I was most thankful for. It served as my way to stay focused on the positive. In sending it out, and sharing it with those I loved most, the goal was to provide an infectious optimism. Counting my blessings in the most literal way.

My lists became an inspiring daily routine. One that my friends and family learned to expect on a daily basis, and look forward to. Some joined me in the routine, occasionally sharing their own “lists” with me. Others simply read it as a way to help stay focused on the positive in their own lives. In this activity, I quickly saw that there is always, always something to be thankful for. No matter your mistakes in the day, no matter how unfair the cards may seem to have been dealt in someone else’s favor. Finding the silver lining in every day helps you turn something heartbreaking, frustrating, and fearful into hope and joy.

My goal became choosing to actively ignore negativity, and make a CHOICE to be thankful instead. Changing my outlook and perspective as a whole. This is not an easy task. It is easy to fall into the rut of ungratefulness. The harder task is to remember to be grateful. To CHOOSE gratitude. Even on the darkest days. You have to look for the good. The bad is often easier to see, but focusing on gratitude relieves hopelessness.

Be thankful for all things, little and big, and be mindful of those things…every single day.

Simple acts of kindness and gratitude.

Remember to write thank you notes.

Gratitude journal not just for the big moments.

Teach gratitude by showing gratitude.

An activity I thought I’d only keep up with for a week or two when I started, gave me a new, life-altering perspective. Gratitude and thankfulness have become one of my most treasured character traits. It was only fitting that my first baby was born on Thanksgiving, giving me the most precious reason to be thankful.

Give it a try!

What are YOU thankful for?

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