The Road to Gratitude

In November of 2009, our niece, Belinda Grissom Gravel challenged us to share gratitude in our Facebook posts for the entire month of November.

I agreed as I thought it would be an excellent way to shift my focus away from all the difficulties that surrounded my family at the time. What was going on? My husband had been in a bad accident and had to retire early on disability. Our bills were astronomical, and we lost our house and filed chapter 13. It was a very dark, depressing period in our lives. Each day that November, I’d look around for something to be grateful for and post it on Facebook. I looked back and found I was thankful for:

My Husband’s Healing

Caregivers

Clarity

Leftovers

Energy

Coffee

Dragonflies 

Sometimes, it would take me half an hour to come up with something to be grateful for. Other times it was instantaneous.

November ended, but I continued. The practice of looking for the good was a great way to start the day. Time went on, and the tradition evolved. I started taking pictures to accompany the text. That was over 11 years ago, and I still share gratitude each weekday. Now I incorporate gratitude into my daily walks. It helps me be present on my walks. I search for beauty in my everyday walks and associate that with gratitude. I love that it helps me focus on what is wonderful. I also love that I am sharing good vibes.

Belinda has started a podcast called “Bring Your Own Best Show” that focuses on the alchemy of self-betterment. I am honored and, of course, grateful to be a guest on her show this Saturday. Tune in for the rest of the story!