Gratitude Season

It’s that time of year. Spooky season is over, and many of us are transitioning our Halloween and fall decorations to holly jolly tidings of comfort and joy.

I’m not quite there yet, but give me two weeks, and I’ll be decking my halls.

For now, I like to spend this time refocusing on gratitude, because while I don’t mind getting ready for Christmas, it’s Thanksgiving time.

In addition to the seasonality of it, practicing gratitude really does shift my entire outlook on life. When I’m actively looking for things to be grateful for, the rough parts of life don’t seem so hard.

This last month has been full of fun fall things, but it’s also been a tough one. It was one of those months where it was one thing after another and it felt like I could barely catch a break. It’s times like these when it’s even more important to cling to the goodness of God and all of the blessings he bestows upon us every day, whether it’s a silly joke, a delicious cup of coffee, or even a smile.

My favorite gratitude practice is where I focus on listing 3 things I’m grateful for, which seems super simple. Here’s the catch: they have to be small things. The tinier, the better. What I’ve found is the more you look for the small things in your every day life to be grateful for, the more you’ll find, and the happier you’ll be. It’s really that simple.

Personally, I like being happy, and I like being grateful. When I find myself slipping into stress and negativity, this is where I begin.

what i’m grateful for

• pumpkin coffee

• Will’s smile first thing in the morning

• evenings spent with a good book and a fall candle

• supportive family close by

• cute baby flannels

• small group

• opportunities to play worship music

• haircut next week!! It’s time.

• sweet movies that move you to tears (recently, Elemental and the new Haunted Mansion)

• a fun Halloween with wonderful friends and family

• warm and cozy fires on chilly mornings

• chilly mornings, and finally switching to my down comforter!

I looked back at last year’s post (yes, I did the same thing last year, and will probably keep doing so) and it was really fun to look back at the little things that made me happy then, and how they have changed. Last year, I was eight months pregnant, and now I get to snuggle this little boy every day, rather than waiting to meet him.

Happy November! And may you all take a few moments today to look for some little joys to be grateful for.

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17