Category Archives: thankful

A Gratitude List

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It’s Wednesday, which means it’s time to write a post about gratitude! 

Feel free to click here (or below) to learn more about our Gratitude Project. 
Okay – now for today’s post:
 
 Happy June! 
Today’s post is about keeping a gratitude list. 
 
There are so many ways you can do this – and you get to decide what feels best for you. 
Some will choose to have one notebook (like our I Am Grateful For… book) that is designated to hold list upon list of all that you love about your life. Some may keep this list on their computer. Others may just tell their loved ones around the dinner table each night what they are grateful for. 
It’s completely up to you! 
 You may choose to write a gratitude list every day, once a week, or whenever the mood strikes. 
And that’s completely okay! 

When we focus on gratitude and everything that is going right in our lives, our thoughts end up attracting more positive events and feelings. This is the kind of snowball effect that we can welcome with open arms!

So let’s all take some time today to write our gratitude list.
And then continue this practice when it feels right.

Here is mine:
 
I am grateful…
 
that I have a great start on writing my new book: 50 pages written so far, and an outline for the rest!
 
for self-care days – staying in my pjs all day, lying around, reading, and doing exactly what I want to do – whatever that may be.
 
that today is one of my self-care days!
 
for healthy green smoothies.
 
for a loving husband who supports me in everything I do.

that things seem to slowly be working themselves out between our new kitty and the older one who likes to bully her.

for sun showers – beautiful and refreshing.

that my sweet Biddle cat is such a mama’s boy – perfect for every day, but especially a self-care day.

that I am keeping my word and not working during this sabbatical.

for so many exciting possibilities and opportunities on the horizon.

for our local library – I am constantly amazed by their wonderful selection of books.
 
for all of your wonderful comments and feedback about this blog.
 
for a supportive community that understands that going within and taking care of ourselves is crucial for lasting happiness and finding our way in this world. 

In gratitude,
Jodi





Grateful for Kindness

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It’s Wednesday, which means it’s time to write a post about gratitude! 

Feel free to click here (or below) to learn more about our Gratitude Project. 
Okay – now for today’s post:
A writing prompt from

Have you ever been helped by a stranger?
If you could tell them how grateful you are for them, what would you say?

Many years ago I was involved in a car accident. 
I was in complete shock and crawled from my car to the sidewalk to lie down. 
A lot of that moment is a blur, but I do remember many people immediately rushing over to help me. One man in particular will stay with me forever – and I would especially want to thank him for his selfless kindness and compassion. 
He somehow found a pillow or a blanket to put under my neck. And because it was summertime and very hot, he held an umbrella over me to shield me from the sun. I was hurting, crying, and scared, and he was so soothing and comforting. He just kept saying that help was on the way and that everything was going to be okay. And then before I knew it, I was put into the ambulance and taken to the hospital.
I regret not having the chance to thank him. I wish I had gotten his contact information.
He is such a kind soul and just going back and reliving that moment brings me such a sense of calmness and gratefulness – all because of him.
He made me want to be a better person.
His selfless actions that day affirmed the goodness that is in everyone.
I will forever be grateful to him.
Can you think of a moment in your life when a complete stranger helped you in some way and made your life better?
It could be that they smiled when you needed it most, or let you ahead of them in line when you were in a hurry, or literally saved your life in some way. 
What would you say to them if you could see them again? 
What are some things you can do to pass along their kindness to others? 

Let’s all take a moment today and be grateful for the kind and caring souls who have entered our lives when we needed them most. 
P.S. – It’s the last day to enter our Pay it Forward Giveaway! Good luck!

Just One Little Action Can Go a Long Way

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Happy Friday, everyone!
I’m having so much fun reading your giveaway entries!
Thanks so much to those of you who have been paying it forward and posting about it!
In honor of you, I wanted to keep the good vibes flowing and post a question from our 
Journaling Further Within book:
What is one action you can take today to make the world a better place?
We all have unique gifts and can pay it forward in so many different ways. 
The wonderful thing about this exercise is that it doesn’t have to be something huge.
Little things add up quickly to become big things.
Here are some examples:
At the post office, you could hold the door open for someone whose hands are full.
When you do your errands today, you could pick up any litter you see in the parking lot. 
You could give someone (a loved one or a stranger) a heartfelt compliment.
You could donate to or volunteer at  your favorite charity.
You could be conscious about the food you buy.
You could offer to help an elderly neighbor with their grocery shopping.
You could plant a flower or a tree.
You could write a passionate letter to your local Congressman/woman.

The list is truly endless, so please spend some time today creating your own. 
And then pick one item from your list and do it! 
It feels great to put out positive energy and love – and it’s contagious! Once you start, you’ll want to keep it up and others will follow in your footsteps.
So take that first step today and begin with one conscious action.
P.S. Be sure to enter our giveaway! 
And if you do pay it forward today, be sure to post about it!

Seeing Yourself Through the Eyes of Others

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It’s Wednesday, which means it’s time to write a post about gratitude! 

Feel free to click here (or below) to learn more about our Gratitude Project. 
Okay – now for today’s post:
A writing prompt from The Gratitude Book:
50 Prompts to Keep the Grateful Feelings Flowing:
Imagine you are your partner or best friend, and they are writing all of the things 
that they are grateful for about you. 
What would they write?

Often we don’t realize how much of an impact we have on our loved ones’ lives.
And yet, if we take a moment to see ourselves through their eyes, we begin to realize just how much greatness we bring to their lives – how much love, friendship, humor, and warmth they receive just by being around us. 
Spend some time today with this exercise. It’s a great one for your own self esteem.
For extra warm fuzzies, you could ask your loved ones to participate. Have them write down (or tell you) what makes them grateful for you. 
I guarantee it will be an eye opening experience.
So often we can be hard on ourselves and may need someone else’s eyes and perspective to really see just how wonderful we truly are. 
So pat yourself on the back today for making a difference in someone else’s life. 
Their life is so much better because you are in it.
Take some time to really take in their gratitude for you.
You deserve it!
P.S. – Be sure to enter our Pay it Forward Giveaway!

Grateful for the Littlest, the Biggest, & One Thing in Between

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It’s Wednesday, which means it’s time to write a post about gratitude! 

Feel free to click here (or below) to learn more about our Gratitude Project. 
Okay – now for today’s post:
One of the best things about starting a gratitude practice is you quickly realize just how much there is to be grateful for. You can practice gratitude everywhere – and anywhere you look you’ll see something that you’re thankful for. These are great things! 
For today let’s narrow it down to just three things that we are grateful for: 
the biggest, the littlest, and one thing in between.

And when you write these down – take some time to really feel your gratitude and appreciation. If you have the time and are able to, write an entire page on each one. Write about why you are grateful and how this affects your life in a positive way. 

Focusing on just three of the millions of things in our lives that we are grateful for will help you to really appreciate them even more, which will lead to even more gratitude. 
***
Speaking of gratitude, we have a new Soulful Journal that we are excited to introduce!
Here is the description:
Feeling and expressing gratitude on a regular basis can lead to a happier, healthier life. 
In this book, we give you 50 prompts that encourage you to express your gratitude.

Sample gratitude prompts:

Who is one family member you’re especially grateful for? Write about them, including one special memory that embodies what about them you love and appreciate.

What is one aspect of your daily life that you don’t always take time to appreciate, but that you’re actually very grateful for?

What is one experience from your childhood that you’re especially grateful for? Write about how it felt at the time and, in retrospect, how it’s affected your life.

We hope that these questions stimulate positive responses and help keep the grateful feelings flowing–throughout your day and throughout your life!


Have a great day today expressing your gratitude! 

Gratitude List and Some Kitty Love

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There is always so much to be grateful for. Even in the toughest of times, you can always find even the littlest thing to be thankful for. And studies have shown that expressing your gratitude daily helps create a happier mindset, which in turn leads to a healthier, longer life.

You may want to spend some time today and write a list of what you are grateful for. When Dan and I first met, we each kept “Things That Make Me Happy Lists.” We would continue to add to them – and we had tons of entries. From the bigger things (like each other) to the smaller things (like someone letting you go ahead of them in the grocery line). These lists are great to post somewhere in your home where you will see them often. And be sure to update them frequently, too as your interests change. If you are ever having a rough day, you can go back to your happy list, and I guarantee it will immediately cheer you up. 
***
Today I am grateful for my kitties, Biddle and Buncom. 
It is their 2-year birthday, and they have added so much joy to our lives!
(Get ready for some kitty cuteness…)
A once-in-a-lifetime moment…they really aren’t friends.
Cutie Pie Biddle
Sweet kitty Buncom
Here they are on the day they were born.

 Two years ago, we had just lost our sweet cat, Pato, after a 2-year battle with kidney failure. We were absolutely devastated and heartbroken. He was an amazing cat, and our lives revolved around taking care of him. We knew that we needed a change, so we moved to Oregon a few weeks later – ready to make a fresh start. Soon after we were settled into our new home, we knew we were ready to adopt another cat. That’s when Biddle and Buncom appeared. They were feral cats who were born in a snowbank. A kind hearted man found them and quickly warmed them up (Biddle was freezing and almost gone.). He took care of them and the mama cat and really saved their lives. He wanted to find the perfect home for the kittens and so many people applied. When I saw their picture, I knew they were our babies. And so we quickly got in the car and drove hours to go meet them. Thankfully he knew that it was meant to be, and we took them home.

They are both such amazing cats with such different personalities. Biddle is a true Mama’s boy – he follows me everywhere, talks all of the time, and acts almost human-like. Buncom is a wild man – he is a sweetheart on his own terms, quite the baby, and very athletic. The feral genes stuck with him more than Biddle.

 I will be forever grateful that they came into our lives when they did. Dan and I both work from home, and they add countless hours of joy to our lives. And their dog-friend, Xena, has even learned to put up with their crazy antics. 🙂

When we met them, they were just 3 pounds. Now Buncom is 14 pounds and Biddle is 15 pounds – and because their mom was a Ragdoll, we have learned that they will grow until they are 4 years old – big boys!

They love forts, playing with string, chasing each other, being held (Biddle anytime – Buncom when he’s in the mood), talking to us, drinking water from the bathtub, racing through the house, fetching, playing our made up games, and just being around us.
I am constantly in awe of them and how much they have grown. I am grateful each and every day that they are a part of my life.

Happy birthday, boys! 🙂