Thankfulness

Hey people,

     This last year, I read a book about a lady who started writing everything possible she could be thankful for. She started literally counting her blessings, and things that would turn out to be blessings in disguise, and ended up writing well over a thousand. That got me inspired, and I started writing down things that I was thankful for in a little notebook; little things, big things, people, all sorts of stuff. Currently I'm at 280 things, and my goal is to get over a thousand. It's actually rather addictive and enjoyable, I don't intend to stop once I reach that goal. :)

     It also got me pondering the trait of thankfulness.
What exactly is Thankfulness? The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines it as:

: glad that something has happened or not happened, that something or someone exists, etc.

: of, relating to, or expressing thanks.

      I've come to the conclusion that Thankfulness is one of the best traits someone can have; it completely changes your perspective of things. ( I also very firmly believe that God values it highly too: in the Bible 'thankfulness', 'give thanks' and 'thanksgiving' is mentioned  over 59 times , and Jesus led a life of thanksgiving while He as here on Earth, as well as encouraging other to give thanks as well)
     When you're thankful for everything, it's hard to have a bad attitude. You're being constantly reminded by all of the blessings that you have, and personally it's been easier to be positive about things. Thankfulness leads to many other things; joyfulness, appreciation, it opens your eyes to so much!


                                            
   It's hard to be discontent when you're seeing everything thing you have, and just being appreciative for it! And if you really look, you can always find something. (I know that sounds really cliche and like a cat poster, but once you experience it and put it into practice, you find that it really is true.) I find it rather sad and discouraging that people will go all year without being aware of everything that they have, and only remember to be grateful for it at Thanksgiving.
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     So what  are some things I'm thankful for?

I'm thankful for being able to live in the Pacific Northwest. I'm thankful for frost, rain, thunder and lightning storms, sunshine. I'm thankful for creative writing and friends to brainstorm with.
     I'm thankful for the woods. I'm thankful for hiking trails. I'm thankful for being able to watch the sunsets. I'm thankful for colors. I'm thankful for time. I'm thankful for spring, summer, fall and winter. I'm thankful for variety. I'm thankful for my family, and my two brothers who are closest to my age.

 

I'm thankful for senses and emotions, songs, words, and writing. I'm thankful that there are different types of laughter; belly laughs, chuckles, chortles and giggles. I'm thankful for smiles from strangers, courtesy waves, and cinnamon rolls. I'm thankful for the laptop that I'm writing this on! I'm thankful for my life. I have an amazing life. I'm thankful for my Savior, and that I get the unspeakable honor and privilege of having a personal relationship with Him.

There are so many things to be thankful for; find them. Keep track of them. Someday when you're feeling down and discouraged, go back and read them, it'll lift you up again. 

     (Or call a good friend and ask them why you should be thankful. Or, you could contact me in the comments or somewhere. I'll have a list for you. :)

Just my little musing I've been having lately,  I'd love to hear what you think! :)

     Blessings, 

~Gracie