I have been pondering all week since I wrote my gratitude post; in fact, I was pondering while I wrote that post, how I can add more gratitude in my life.
My mother once suggested writing in my journal every day the things that I have been blessed with, I have read of others keeping a gratitude journal, and on one of my best friends started the tradition of Thankful Thursdays (you can read about it here...hope you don't mind Ashlee!).
Along with wanting to express more gratitude, I have toyed with the idea of borrowing an idea from a wonderful blog, Women in the Scriptures. The blog is great place to learn and be inspired by the scriptures and specifically, by the women in the scriptures. One of the features of the blog is, five things for Friday. I remember the blog's author stating once that the idea was not hers originally...so I guess it is o.k. that I am borrowing it!
This is what I have decided - combine the two ideas. Five Gratitudes for Friday. Hopefully it will be a benefit to me and perhaps others will enjoy it as well.
1. Old Christmas movies. I gotta tell ya, I love old movies, but old Christmas movies are probably my favorite. I love this time of year because I can watch White Christmas, Miracle on 34th Street, It's A Wonderful Life and so many others. The movies are fun, but they are also uplifting and well, for me, they invite the spirit into my home.
2. Christmas traditions, old and new. Some of our traditions include a Christmas book (you can read about it here), buying and donating toys for the Marine Corps Toys for Tots, watching Christmas movies, driving around the neighborhood singing Christmas carols and enjoying the Christmas lights, making our own Christmas trees every year and I write a Christmas letter every year (which always reminds me of my Grandma Doris).
3. Sore muscles. I don't like sore muscles, but I am thankful for them. It means that I am using my muscles. If I am using my muscles, then my muscles are getting stronger. And if my muscles are getting stronger than I am getting healthier.
4. A house big enough to have friends over. As I write this, Steve is hanging out with some of his friends - laughing, joking and playing board games. It doesn't matter if it is my friends, the children's friends or Steve's friends I love having a house big enough to entertain - to be filled with the sounds of laughter.
5. Empathy for those who are suffering. The children and I today said a special prayer for the many people affected by the terrible tragedy at the Connecticut school. I truly hope and pray they can find comfort and solace. I am thankful my children have big hearts and wanted to do something for the victims - I could only offer my children hugs and the suggestion of a prayer.
Do you remember President Eyering's talk about his gratitude journal? I think we've talked about it before. . .the kids gave one to the grandparents for Chirstmas, but I think I want to do one, too. Great idea!
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