Attitude of Gratitude

I have started a fairly new tradition with my kids this month.  I know a lot of folks already do this and post on Facebook, but I have decided to try this with my entire family.  We began on November 1st. listing just one thing we are grateful for.  We will continue with this until Thanksgiving.  I have a written chart, and we each take turns at the dinner table writing that one special thing we hold gratitude for. 

Now, my 9 year old thinks it's funny to write down "toilet", but I suppose that is something that not everyone has.  The catch for this is to write something new each day.  If my son had his way, he would list "pizza" everyday.  I actually do this little gratitude practice each night before I go to sleep.  I shoot for three things that happened that day.  Sometimes all I can think of is my nice, cozy bed.  But hey that is something.  And it is very cozy.

I think it is important to remember how blessed we are, truly.  There are so many people with so much less.  I have chosen to bring this exercise to my family now because we are entering the season of the "I wants".  This time of year has become so commercialized, and I dislike that.    I saw a Christmas commercial the day before Halloween.  Stressing out about the holidays defeats the purpose of the holidays in my opinion.  I choose to focus on enjoying my friends and family, rather than finding that perfect gift (on sale).  So what are you grateful for today?  I am grateful that I have this ability to write blogs for folks to read, enjoy and hopefully learn a thing or two.  Until next time...