On Being Thankful

As the year draws to a close, I've been thinking a lot about what 2018 looked like in my little corner of the world.  It was chock full of some really good things, some really bad things, and a lot of in between things, as years tend to do.

As far as my personal life goes, the best thing I started to do this year was a thankful list.  I got the idea after reading a blog post about how we can train our brains to focus on the positive things in life.

The theory behind the list, is that if you know that at the end of the day you're going to have to list 5 (or more) things that you were thankful for that day, you will eventually start LOOKING for little things to be thankful for.  So where typically you may have hit 3 green lights in a row on your morning commute and thought nothing of it, when your perspective is more one of gratitude, your brain notices those green lights and flags them as something good to add to your list at the end of the day.  I was intrigued by the concept and started to give it a go.

It is TRULY life changing.

And, the biggest reason I know it is life changing is that when I've had a bad day (or 4), I noticed that I stopped doing it.  And I could see a big difference in my perspective, and how I viewed my day.

Calling out the small things in life to be thankful for has completely shifted my thought processes.  I mean, if I'm going to let a few small bad things that happen to me ruin my day, why can't I do the same with the few, seemingly insignificant, good things that happen every day?

A small (and seemingly ridiculous, but go with me on this) example of this is tea.  If I hit the drive through for a tea, and it's cool (or at least not warm enough), I'm going to be a little annoyed.  But if I get to work, and my tea is still hot, I don't really think about it because tea is supposed to be hot.  But if I know that I need 5 little things to be thankful for, I'm going to be like, "Yes!  Hot tea!  This is awesome, and it's going on my list today!"

If you're thinking about 2019 goals/resolutions/intentions -- then this is a great one to start.  It so simple, but so impactful.  It is both doable, and completely life changing.

So grab yourself a small notebook, or open up the notes tab on your phone.  At the end of every day, write down 5 things you are thankful for.  Don't include the big things, like your family and friends -- just the little things from THAT day (like green lights or hot tea).  It can be surprisingly difficult the first few days, but that's kind of the point.  Train your brain to be happily surprised and thankful for those little things.

I promise you won't regret it.

Just Slow Down

I write some version of this post every year, and just like always, it's just as much for me as for anyone who may read it. 

Here we are, less than two weeks out from Christmas. Things tend to start to get a little hectic around this time, so I wanted to drop in with my yearly reminder for you to slow down and savor what this season is truly for and about.
'Tis the season for gifts and parties and lots of plans, yes. It's also the season for joy and gratitude and wonder. Don't lose those last three because you're so caught up in the first three. 

Joy and gratitude and wonder are all free, but you have to look for them. And, in my personal experience, it's a lot harder to find them if you're running around at light speed trying to do all the things. 

So this week, slow down for a minute or two and just savor the good things around you. Listen to your favorite Christmas music. Actually look at the Christmas lights in your neighborhood instead of just rushing to get home so you can rush to the next thing. Don't run yourself so ragged that you arrive at Christmas day exhausted and stressed over how much money you've spent. That's no way to start the new year. 
This time of year is beautiful and special for so many reasons other than what you can buy or what you have to do. So don't miss that! 

How To Spend Your December

It's the most magical month of the yeeeaaar!   There are 31 glorious days this month, and I have a few ideas of how to spend some of those days.

1.  Start an advent calendar/reading plan.  Yes, we're a few days late.  Yes, we can still do it.

2.  Donate to those in need.  There are likely things in your kitchen that you can donate to a local food bank, and you wouldn't even miss them.  But, they could sure make someone else's holiday a whole lot better.

3.  Make a playlist of your favorite Christmas songs.  Blast said playlist loudly and as often as possible.

4.  Decorate for Christmas.  Whether you go all out of opt for a mini-tree; do what makes you happy.

5.  Watch "Elf".  Not in the Christmas spirit yet?  I've got just the cure.

6.  Mail someone a Christmas card.  Bonus points if it's someone who wouldn't expect it.

7.  Look up festive things happening in your town this month.    Pick a few and go out and do them.

8.  Get some holiday flavored coffee, hot chocolate or cider.  There's nothing that pairs better with a great holiday movie, or a mid-day pick-me-up.

9.  Declutter.  Especially if you have kids who will be receiving lots of new clothes/toys this Christmas.  It's a perfect time to donate no longer loved items. 

10.  Be a secret Santa.  There is no better feeling that knowing you've brightened someone's holiday mood. 

11.  Bake Christmas treats.  Keep them for yourself or share them with your friends.

12.  Watch your favorite Christmas movie.  (See #5)

13.  Watch a Christmas movie you've never seen before.

14.  Take pictures with Santa.  Take your kid or your pet and then please share these pictures.


15. Get dressed up. There's just something about getting dressed up in December. You can get fancier than normal and it just feels right. 

16. Do something that has nothing to do with your to-do list. Take a break and check in with yourself. Don't get so busy doing all the things that you don't enjoy this season.  17.  Have a dinner party.  Whether you invite over the whole neighborhood or just cook your favorite festive things and watch a movie, both are perfect. 

18.  Make your last-minute Christmas shopping a festive celebration. Last minute shopping used to stress me out to NO END. But the last few years, I've made it into a celebration...Christmas music, peppermint mochas, enjoying all the store's decorations. 

19.  Go to a Christmas service. Regardless of your faith, there's something incredibly peaceful about Christmas services. 

20.  Go look at Christmas lights. 

21.  Have the MOST lazy day. Yesterday was probably crazy, take a break today! 

22.  Spend some time reflecting on 2018. What do you hope to be different in 2019?

23.  Write 2018 a letter. 

24.  Set some goals! Whatcha gonna do with this new year headed your way?

How will you be spending December?