Cultivating Gratitude: Take the 1 month challenge

It's not uncommon to list the things you are grateful for around Thanksgiving time...but that's still a few months away. Why wait until then?

Recently we've been thinking about adding on to our home. We went so far as to hire an architect, a structural engineer, and interview local contractors. We got down to the wire and sat across from a mortgage broker before it hit us...why the rush? We haven't even been in our home a year and we're making plans to add space?! What happened to being completely in love and over-joyed about our new place?

Gratitude Journal iTunes app

I use that example to illustrate the human desire that stirs within all of us at some point in time to not be satisfied, to want more, and to overlook the current day-to-day joys. That part of us begins to compare ourselves to what others have or the misguided belief that, "...if I just had...I would be so much more happy..." There's no judgment here, it is what it is and as humans, we all experience it one time or another. Furthermore, this post is not to minimize the real struggles that each one of us may face on a daily basis. However, I write this to highlight part of our human nature that causes dissatisfaction. Additionally, it's a part of our lives that paired with deliberate focus, we can combat just by changing our perspective.

Little things make a big difference

Growing up my mom placed an emphasis on Fridays. In my school lunch I'd find a Little Debbie snack with a handwritten note on it, "Happy Fun Friday! I love you! -Mom." Talk about brightening up my day! Even now my mom will ask, "What are you doing for Fun Friday?"

As an adult, I realize the importance of making at least one day or moment extra special. The weeks are filled with so much responsibility and decision-making that it is essential to bring a little joy into the day...otherwise we may all burnout.

Peanut Butter Cupcake by Cupcake Delirium

Last night I was working late at the office. Before I left, spontaneity hit me and I quickly developed a little scavenger hunt to greet my office assistant when she arrived this morning (thankfully earlier in the day I got a pack of cupcakes from a nearby cupcake truck so I made one of them the "treasure"). It took me just a few minutes to think of some clever clues and where to hide them...I was definitely having a good time. When my assistant arrived today she was completely surprised! It was a great change to the typical workday and it lifted her spirits.

A New Year, A New You

I know many people who were eagerly awaiting 2012. Were you one of them?

Growing up I remember driving in the back seat of the car with my parents. I was gazing out the side window and saw images in a neighbor's yard of a Grim Reaper character on one end and a new born baby with a sash wrapped around its body with the year on it on the other side of the yard. It wasn't until recently that I connected this (which I hesitate to admit), the grim reaper was actually Father Time. I didn't really understand what those two figures meant back then. However, now I share in the feelings those images represent today.