I don’t know if it’s a bad sign that I almost missed my first post of National Blog Posting Month, or if it just means there is a ton of room for improvement. I decided to join in the challenge to post to my blog every day in the month of November. My choice was based on a bout of writers block, complicated by my tendency towards perfectionism, and a hint of burn out which led to me barely posting in September and October.
During National Blog Posting Month (or #NaBloPoMo) , I will start each post with a short gratitude list, it seems especially appropriate to share my gratitude during the month of November, which culminates in the celebration of Thanksgiving.
My gratitude practice is a way of stopping to notice all of the good things in my life. It is not premeditated- but rather a stream of consciousness.
Getting into the habit of focusing the little things in life that make you happy is nothing less than life changing. After a week of daily gratitude practice, you may find yourself cataloging tiny moments of beauty, kindness, sweetness, and joy. After a couple of weeks of daily practice, I have caught myself smiling while walking on the city streets- for no apparent reason other than love for the rhythm of the city.
When I’m making my daily gratitude list, I try hard not to self-edit. I want to feel the gratitude and happiness rather than think about what I should say. I hope to apply those principles to the next 30 days of blogging in order to deliver to you:
HONEST. SIMPLE. UNFILTERED. ME.
If you’re just getting started, it helps to set up a daily appointment on your calendar. No matter what you’re doing, when that alarm sounds, stop and take a couple of minutes to reflect on the positive things in your life.
Daily Gratitude: November 1, 2013
Greek Yogurt
Puppy Noses
Sparrows
Autumn Leaves
Crisp Air
The Support of My Blogging Community
and
My Local Butcher’s Commitment to Ethical Foods
Happy November. I hope you’ll share a few things you’re grateful for in the comments below.
Like you, I've hardly posted anything lately and I'm hoping NaBloPoMo will help me get back in the groove. But I still have to write today's post! 🙂 Today I'm grateful for a beautiful and sunny fall day, cleansing tears, long hugs, and a tree full of almost-ripe meyer lemons that I can see from my living room as I write this. Have a great day, Sabrina!
Nicole. I am so glad you\’re on board too. Thank you for sharing your gratitude list. I am rooting for you in #NaBloPoMo and in your journey. Sending good healthy thoughts your way. Can\’t wait to read your posts this month.
Today I’m grateful for:
My abundant curiosity
Warm friendships
Drama-free children
Humorous pets
Hard work ethic
Glorious fall color
November
Hi Nanci,
Thanks so much for sharing your gratitude list! Happy November. Have a fantastic weekend.
Sabrina
Hey Sabrina – TT is one of my favorite FB posts and I’ve subscribed online too! Keep up the great work… Cheers, Nanci
I love your gratitude list and I am so happy to see that you too are signed on for NaBloPoMo. I have never done it before but decided to last night…total spur of the moment thing. I look forward to reading more of your posts!
I'm grateful for friends, near and far that support, nurture and inspire me. So excited you're doing this!
Irvin, I am so grateful that you\’re joining me on this crazy month of blog posting. I can\’t wait to follow
XO
Great list and great idea to post thoughts of gratitude this month!
Great idea about making a list of things we are grateful for. It makes us feel more humble. I must try this too. There is so much to be thankful for in life and yet I crib a lot. 🙂
Hi Jyothi,
Thank you so much. I love making gratitude lists because it really makes me stop and appreciate the little things. I hope you try it.
Sabrina
I'm actually thinking of doing this too….am I nuts? As I struggle some weeks to think of content anyone other than my own Mother might read, this idea excites my dormant writer somehow. Thinking of taking the plunge today….
Me too – and I'm looking forward to the challenge! I'm also a big fan of gratitude lists. I use an app on my phone which prompts me to pause and be thankful at random times of the day. Most of the time, I try to write a daily entry in my moleskin – just a line or two in the morning before work. Today: unseasonably warm fall weather in New England, leaves that look like they are on fire, Rancho Gordo, my mini cacti window ledge, new work adventures, my set of papermate flair pens, the Red Sox winning the world series, and my upcoming race. Excited to read more from you this month 🙂
I kept a gratitude journal years ago, and I like the idea of blogging one once in awhile. Good luck with NaBloPoMo!