Tag Archives: 21 Days of Gratitude Challenge

Jul 3 2012

Day 12 – It Could Be Worse

Who would have thought that owning and operating a t-shirt line could be so difficult.  Dealing with back orders, making sure each size is in stock and then coordinating deliveries.  Well this past month or so has definitely been a rollercoaster to say the least.  As recent as Friday, I found out that my shirts were shipped to the wrong address and to add insult to injury when the driver went to retrieve them, the residents, who had called to have them returned, now have no idea what the driver is even talking about.   So what now?!?  But it could be worse.

Yesterday, I received a call letting me know that my classmate, good friend and someone who has always been like family, lost her son in a car accident.  The paper read that a 16 year-old boy had been hit head on by another car and the driver of the other car had fled the scene and the boy was found unconscious and later pronounced dead.  At first when I read, I thought for a second about my friend’s son but I knew he wasn’t 16.  Matter of fact, I remember like it was yesterday when he was born.  His birthday fell a day before mine and the last time I saw and spoke to him, we talked about staying focused, finishing high school and doing what he enjoyed doing.  He had even recentlly been in the newspaper for building custom cages for snakes.

My problems or issues became nonexistent.  I cried for hours yesterday because I can’t even imagine the pain that my friend is experiencing.

Happy Children Playing Kids

Happy Children Playing Kids (Photo credit: epSos.de)

I say all this to say, life is too short.  I could be upset about my shirts but I would rather be without them than without one of my children.  I am thankful for God’s hand of protection that has been placed around my family.  We never know what someone else may be experiencing or going through but when we just take to time to be thankful for the little things we realize that it could be worse.  So today, I am going to hug my children a little tighter, pray for them a little longer and let them know I love them ever more.

Today I am grateful for life.

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Jul 2 2012

A Week of Gratitude

I began the 21 day challenge of gratitude over a week ago and I must say so much has transpired since I started.  I received some phenomenal news from a non-profit organization I was hoping to partner with.  Every financial need and obligation that I had was met and a new project was launched.  Wow, right!  But more importantly, what I have realized is the power of my own thoughts about myself and my circumstances.  I have shifted my outlook from one of lack to one of abundance; my glass is half full.

Gratitude puts you in a position to receive more because you are using and appreciating what you have which causes it to increase.  I can remember when I first began this blog.  I didn’t have a computer.  I had a blackberry that allowed me to download the free app and upload my post.  I was excited just to have that access and made complete use of it until I was blessed with the means to purchase a laptop.  My point is, be thankful for what you have and have the faith to believe that better is on the way.  If you can’t appreciate what is right in front of you, how can you possibly be prepared to receive what you have been expecting.

Have a Happy Monday and continue being thankful.

Jun 23 2012

Day 2 – I Am Just Thankful

 

No matter which side of the bed I wake up on, I must give thanks.  I am thankful that God thought enough to even wake me up.  As long as I am breathing and able, there is work that he has left me here to do .  “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.  As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”  John 9:4-5

Jun 22 2012

Day 1 – What I am thankful for…

This image shows the view from the carpark &qu...

This image shows the view from the carpark “Rest and be Thankful” near Arrochar in Scotland. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It is amazing when we choose to focus our attention on the positive things in our lives the negative becomes insignificant.   One thing in math that I remember learning is that no matter how big the  number was behind the negative numbers, it was still less than 1.  So if you have one positive in your life, it is greater than all the negatives.  And if you are reading this post right now, well you are already one up.

The Gratitude Challenge, as outline in the book, suggest 3 areas to focus on in my life that I could express gratitude.  The 3 areas I chose are: Family, Provision and Purpose.

Family:  I have 5 beautiful children, who I love dearly and they love me.  They keep me motivated and on my toes.  I am thankful that God entrusted me to teach, nurture and guide them.  Every morning, I have 5 reasons to keep going.

Provision: Sometimes we don’t see the how or the when, but God always provides for us in our times of need.  A lot of times it is after the need has been met that I realize that God was orchestrating it all along.  We often hear, “His vision, His Provision”.  At times, I have wanted to quit.  I doubted the vision that God had given.  I thought surely God would not give me a vision that would cause my children and I to suffer but he has provided every step of the way.  He has kept a roof over our head, provided food to eat and continues to meet our needs.  I am thankful for every door that was closed and every door that is opening.  Truly my steps have been ordered and God continues to go before me.

Purpose:  I thank God for purpose.  When I have desired to throw in the towel, it is purpose that tells me to get back in the ring and keep fighting.  I was talking to a friend the other day and I told her everyday I want to quit.  We laughed, because not only have I wanted to quit, but everyday I want to pack up my things and move back to California.  But God opens up a huge door that keeps me planted here in Las Vegas, NV to serve.

What are you thankful for?

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Jun 21 2012

Gratitude Challenge

I was up late, reading through various blogs, adding new books to my list to read on Goodreads and I came across 21 Days of Gratitude Challenge.  The book is currently being offered for free and is part of the free book promotion going on at Christian Speakers.  I could not have come across this book at a better time.  I have been so focused on what I am lacking or what is not going right that it seems like disappointment keeps coming left and right.  I have more than enough to be thankful for.  I am alive and well.  My children are healthy.  We have a roof over our head, clothes, food and we have each other.  That is plenty to be thankful for and I am going to make sure that I express my gratitude for all things over the next 21 days.  Join me…yes you, click the link above and download your free kindle copy and lets take on this challenge together.  I am going to do my best to post daily about my experiences and I hope you do the same.  Leave a comment below and let me know that you are in.

Just to make sure you downloaded the correct book here is a picture of what you will see once you head over to amazon.com.  I can’t wait to start.  By the way, today is the last day to download your copy for free!

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