Week #216 – Gratitude Games (Ten Easy Ways to Count Your Blessings!)
I’m counting down the last ten Fridays of 2018 — and as we turn the calendars from October to November, the theme for the month ahead seems universal:
Gratitude.
There’s been more written than I can recap here about the benefits of gratitude (just Google “benefits of gratitude” and you can read up on it yourself) — but suffice it to say it’s a relatively low-risk endeavor for a potentially high return. Gratitude is free, it’s accessible to all, and you don’t have to be in a perfect spot to start.
(In fact, being in an imperfect spot might prove the benefits even more.)
You just need to start.
So I thought I’d gather up a few common ways I’ve seen lately to count blessings — and open up the floor to see if we can expand the list!
Ten Easy Ways to Count Your Blessings this November
- In the Morning — as soon as you open your eyes (and before you reach for your phone) take a moment to appreciate the air in your lungs, the comfort of your bed, the first light of sun, the warm body (or bodies) next to you, the fact that your coffee just clicked on, or that you have a job to go to (or that it’s the weekend). You get the idea!
- In the Evening — once again, when your head hits the pillow (and before you start to scroll), take a moment to reflect back on your day and go over all the things you are grateful for…or, at the very least, that the day is over and you survived!
- Alone — you can practice gratitude all on your own. (No one has to know.)
- Together — you can rope others in: family, children, coworkers, friends, a boyfriend/girlfriend, or accountability partner. Make it a group a challenge!
- Numerical – decide on a fixed number for each day, like one at a time or three a day.
- Alphabetical — this is my method! I keep a journal with alphabetized pages where I randomly jot down things that I’m grateful for. When I’m having a bad day, I can page through the journal quickly to remind myself of all the things that make my heart happy! And when something occurs to me, it’s easy to find a spot to file it away!
- Compounding – starting with November 1st, come up with a corresponding number of items for each calendar date (so one on the first, two on the second, three on the third, etc.). If I added it up correctly, this will result in a total of 465 items on your list! (Someone, please check my math!)
- In a Jar — keep a pretty jar or vase with strips of paper handy (on the kitchen counter, in the entry way, or in the living room) where your family can randomly jot down things they are grateful for. Set a date to empty and read through all the items.
- On a Tree/Wreath — likewise, keep sticky cut-outs (your can get these in Michaels) or ribbons or strips of paper near a small indoor tree or wreath and add your thoughts throughout the month.
- Through the Mail — set aside thirty blank notecards to jot down one thank you note each day throughout the month!
What about you? What are your favorite ways to count blessings? Please share them with me via email (below) or in the comments and I’ll add them to the list!
Your Happyness Challenge for the Week Ahead: Play the Gratitude Game! We’re only two days into November…it’s not too late to start. Pick an idea and run with it! Try it for a month and see if it lives up to the hype. What have you got to lose? Or if you have an idea you love, please take the time to share it with me! Nothing Spreads Happyness like a grateful heart!
And while I’m at it, let me just say, I’m so grateful for YOU!!!
Spread Happyness — share your favorite Gratitude Game in the comments!
11/2/18 by Grace Church
© Grace Church
grace@spreadhappyness.com