Quiet loud and sweet sounds. If we’re privileged to have the ability to hear, we all have favorites…
I can think of many sounds that I prefer over others. I’m guessing you may be the same?
Which sounds in your life make you smile?
I’m sure there are sounds in your life that you enjoy.
Maybe it’s music.This song is one I “hear” in my head when I’m rejoicing – it’s by Mozart.
Perhaps it’s an environmental sound like waves against a sandy shore or the rustle of wind through the leaves.
What about voices or laughter? Your favorite sound could be your loved ones’ voices… a beloved baby’s giggle…
Instruments? The wail of a bagpipe, the strum of strings on a guitar, the beat of a drum, and more…
Think of all the sounds in your life that make you thankful. What are they?
In my “30 days of Thankfulness” journal I used a piece of junk mail and the backs of Dollar Tree implements I bought to create a pocket with tags. I’ll be writing down a list of sweet, quiet, and loud sounds that I prefer… You can see the quick video (less than 1 minute) showing the above by clicking HERE.
Or the much longer video where I talk about bagpipes, a movie we love, Scottish thistles, etc, as I make the above set of journaling tags. Click here for that video.
How thankful we can be when we taste our favorite food…
What is it?
Spicy, sweet or salty?
Do you have a particular food that rings your bell…
When you smell it cooking it can cause you to salivate?
I’m guessing that you – like me – may have more than one favorite.
Feeling thankful for the taste!
Don’t wait till your birthday, or a special event. Why not indulge just a little bit in that favorite food today!
Luxuriate a bit with your favorite food.
If you can.
(I’d love to have a Harvey’s Poutine right now. But I can’t get to Canada. So that’ll have to wait a bit.Don’t worry – I’ll think of something else.)
Poutine is a Canadian thing – fries with melted cheese and gravy. If you’re cringing, just know that it may look gross, but it’s delicious as a treat.
Feel thankful you have the opportunity to have your favorite food – when you have it!
Leave a comment! What’s your favorite food?
I’d love to give this fun package to you!
Just comment on one of the “30 Days of Thankfulness” posts here on PositiveThankLiving – from October 1st to October 30th 2020– and I’ll (randomly) choose one person* who comments to receive this fun package!
*Unfortunately I can only mail to someone in the USA at this time. (I had two packages to Canada fail to be delivered), so this drawing is only available for those in the USA.
But sometimes “old” has a special place in your heart and your life.
Today I’d like to encourage you to review all those things and people which you hold dear… maybe reach out, pull that old book off the shelf, reach for the teacup, that movie or that person you have a special connection with.
Be thankful for all those areas in your life that have good memories. They may be old, but they still have great value.
The value of old. Celebrate it – be thankful.
Leave a comment! What’s “old” in your life that you are thankful for…
I’d love to give this fun package to you!
Just comment on one of the “30 Days of Thankfulness” posts here on PositiveThankLiving – from October 1st to October 30th 2020– and I’ll (randomly) choose one person* who comments to receive this fun package!
*Unfortunately I can only mail to someone in the USA at this time. (I had two packages to Canada fail to be delivered), so this drawing is only available for those in the USA.
Many new things in our life are not something we’d normally feel thankful for…
Seeking how to be thankful for what’s new.
If you’re like many around the world today, there are new protocols, new issues, new discomforts, fears and concerns and more. Most of our lives have been impacted by the new issues which COVID-19 has introduced.
Maybe we’re feeling fear. Or anger. Or we’re feeling sad that what was normal before, is no longer possible.
But I’m asking you to stretch a bit today.
Please.
Try.
What could you be thankful for – that’s new?
Have you had more time with those in your life you care about because a new work or school time-table is necessary? Time with those we love is important – and something for which we can be thankful.
Have you had more quiet opportunities to practice your faith? Without a constant option to “go out”, visit and have interactions, have you spent more time in prayer, reading, and contemplation? Just put aside the nostalgia about the old ways of doing things… focus on what could be good about this new way of growing closer to God. Remember, He knew this was coming – all things will work together for good for those who love Him and are called for his purpose…
Have you learned to use some new technology? Yes, I know it’s frustrating. And you’d rather do it the old way. However. Let’s just take a moment to be thankful for the new opportunities in which technologies have shrunk our world interaction. And now this “new” is becoming available for almost everyone. We communicate via technology with our family who lives miles and miles away. Everyone can be included; those who celebrate their 90th birthday to those who are toddlers.
Everyone is learning something new!
And more new – what are you thankful for?
Yes. I’m asking you to stretch a bit.
For just a moment put aside your fears, concerns, grief, and anger…
Look at the new in your life from a different perspective.
An attitude of gratitude!
(You can do this. I believe in you… )
– – This is part of 30 Days of Thankfulness. You can read the original post here.
At the end of October 2020, everyone can download a free document with all the prompts on Thankfulness along with some digital extras.
But there’s more! One person with a USA mailing address will win a handmade package of journaling cards and tags – to enter just leave a comment on one of the posts in this series. November 2nd, 2020 I’ll draw a random winner from those who comment.
Most of us don’t even worry about drinking what comes out of our faucet. We have a shower and are clean. We wash our clothes. We don’t even notice the clean clothes until they’re not clean and there’s nothing more to wear.
Water makes the difference.
I’m very thankful for water and I believe you are also. But we rarely think about it…
It could almost be said that having water at our disposal is too easy to really be thankful for it.
Until it’s not easy…
Our son and daughter-in-love participated in a non-profit video shoot in Haiti. Part of the trek included time far up in the hills where there is no running water.
People walk down, down, down, through the bush to the river far below to collect their daily water. Often it’s the children who carry heavy buckets back up the hills to home.
One day, Alex accompanied these children to film the process.
He chose to wear sandals/flipflops. As he tells the story he usually pauses to tell the listeners that wearing flip-flops in that terrain is not a good idea!
They got to the river and filled their buckets and jugs.
The group collected their water at the river and then began the uphill walk on the rough trail back to the village, carrying their jugs.
Half-way back up Alex stumbled and fell to the side of the path. His feet and legs were muddy and messy from the fall.
He began brushing at the dirt.
Then, before he could react, one of the young boys, carrying his family’s water in a heavy jug, poured that precious water over Alex’s legs.
The boy used his water…
That young boy didn’t hesitate to share this precious resource.
Alex says he wanted to tell him to save the water that they’d just walked 30 minutes to collect, but the boy gave too quickly…
Think about it.
In a place where water makes all the difference (just like it does here), yet the effort is so much greater than turning on a faucet, would you give so quickly?
Water makes the difference. But first we need a giving heart.
Yes. Let’s be thankful for how easy it is to turn on our faucets and have as much water as we need.
But let’s also use our thankfulness to nurture a giving heart.
We know people – today – who need our help, and maybe it’s going to take more effort than turning on a faucet… can we make the difference?
– – This is part of 30 Days of Thankfulness.
At the end of October 2020, everyone can download a free document with all the prompts on Thankfulness along with some digital extras.
But there’s more! One person with a USA mailing address will win a handmade package of journaling cards and tags – to enter just leave a comment on one of the posts in this series. November 2nd, 2020 I’ll draw a random winner from those who comment.
This pretty package of 12+ journaling spots and 6+ tags started as a junk mailer and envelope.
From junk into fun!
My husband handed me this mailer when he came back from our mailbox, and said… “I bet you can make something with this!”
It started as a junk mailer – with a cool shaped envelope and a heavy card inside… Instead of throwing it away, I accepted Rob’s challenge!
So… I did it! I took up his challenge and over a few days I dyed some copy paper with tea, backed the cards and tag and envelope with the paper, and used Gi Kerr’s “Shades of Autumn” …
Everything is backed with tea-dyed paper, and then I pulled out my old sewing machine to do the stitching.
(I think it was shocked – it hasn’t been used very much in the last 25+ years.) But I’m happy to say that the ancient sewing machine performed beautifully.
And owls. I found out I like owls… And chipmunks. And squirrels…
The fall pumpkins and all kinds of beautiful colored paper are all from Gi Kerr’s digitals “Shades of Autumn” and few freebie digi’s.
The package is tied up with a light and soft cream-colored silk ribbon…
I’m going to give this package away to someone with a USA mailing address at the end of October 2020* – along with the 30 Days of Thankfulness prompts and some digital journaling tags that everyone will receive…
I’d love to give this fun package to you!
Just comment on one of the “30 Days of Thankfulness” posts here on PositiveThankLiving – from October 1st to October 30th – and I’ll (randomly) choose one person* who comments to receive this fun package!
*Unfortunately I can only mail to someone in the USA at this time. (I had two packages to Canada fail to be delivered), so this drawing is only available for those in the USA.
– – This is part of 30 Days of Thankfulness. At the end of October 2020, everyone can download a free document with all the prompts on Thankfulness along with some digital extras.
Imagine a still body of water. You throw a rock into that water. What happens?
Where the rock lands in the water there are ripples that move outwards. The stillness is impacted by the stone landing in the water and continues outward.
That’s true of your accomplishments.
Even the smallest accomplishment causes a ripple in your environment. Just like a small stone causes a ripple, so does a small accomplishment.
Are there things you do that you dismiss as too small?
Be thankful for even your smallest accomplishments.
The most mundane, the most easy, the most repetitive.
They all matter.
And you can be thankful you have the ability to accomplish them.
Make a list of all you’ve accomplished today…
The smallest things you’ve done will make a difference: a smile, making dinner, a load of laundry put away, responding when the phone rang, praying for that person, preparing for the meeting tomorrow, and…
Remember – ripples happen. What you do impacts others. You matter.
Carry on… and be thankful you can! Even the small things you do matter.
Giveaway! – Enter to win!
– – This is part of 30 Days of Thankfulness.
At the end of October 2020, everyone can download a free document with all the prompts on Thankfulness along with some digital extras.
But there’s more! Enter to win – leave a comment on a post!
One person with a USA mailing address* will win a special package of journaling cards and tags to do some planning… or journaling…
There will be a drawing from those who left a comment on any of the 30 Days of Thankfulness posts in 2020. USA residents can leave as many comments as you’d like – the more comments, the more entries.
I’ll be drawing a random winner on November 2nd 2020 .
*Unfortunately I can only mail to someone in the USA at this time. (I had two packages to Canada fail to be delivered), so this drawing is only available for those in the USA.
Watch the video that shows it all… click here if you can’t see the player.
Last year, when I wrote the original post on being thankful for your safety, we hadn’t yet experienced all the unrest and protest that 2020 has brought to the USA. We also had no idea we’d be feeling so vulnerable because of a global pandemic.
It all makes feeling safe more difficult.
If we let it.
Give thanks for your safety.
And yet. Yet…
We can continue to be thankful for being safe.
Yes!
Consider lifeguards and paramedics. Think of the coast guard and fire-fighters.
Look around at the teachers and pre-school caregivers who are involved in their student’s lives. Even if it’s primarily online, their caring and concern have grown as they navigate this new way of imparting knowledge.
Your ministers and congregations are still praying for you and welcoming you to worship with them in whatever manner is possible…
Nurses and doctors and aides and phlebotomists and elder-care specialists and loving family members and the Red Cross and, nutritionists and psychiatrists and pharmacists and … We are surrounded by health care focused people who stand ready to meet our needs if we’re feeling less than well.
If you called for help you’d find someone responding. Call 911 in the USA and Canada – and 999 in the UK – or 000 in Australia – and in many countries, emergency numbers previously used also continue to be available; e.g. 061 and 112 in Spain, 999 and 112 both function in Ireland and the UK. In the United States, some carriers will map the number 112 to the emergency number 911…
Someone will answer.
Your safety – my safety – everyone’s safety continues to matter.
And.
And we all can be that person to reach out to help if someone around us needs a sense of safety.Are you ready to respond?
Let’s be thankful. Not critical.
Give thanks for your safety. For our safety.
Giveaway! – Enter to win!
– – This is part of 30 Days of Thankfulness.
At the end of October 2020, everyone can download a free document with all the prompts on Thankfulness along with some digital extras.
But there’s more! Enter to win – leave a comment on a post!
One person will win a special package of journaling cards and tags to do some planning… or journaling…
There will be a drawing from those who left a comment on any of the 30 Days of Thankfulness posts in 2020. Leave as many comments as you’d like – the more comments, the more entries.
I’ll be drawing a random winner on November 2nd 2020 .
Watch the video that shows it all… click here if you can’t see the player.
Clothes that make you smile – I have two shirts that whenever I wear them, people comment. (Good comments.) And I always respond with “Thank you – they make me happy.” And I smile at them – they smile back.
Clothes that make you smile – what are they?
Are they your most comfortable outfits – or glamorous, or new, or old, or… For whatever reason they make you smile. Why not stop for a second or two and be thankful for that feeling…
Because it’s by being thankful for the little things in life, that we make up a whole life of gratitude!
Why not decide to wear those favorite clothes that will make you smile tomorrow!
(Even if they’re not appropriate for the whole day of activities, you can wear them for a bit, right?)
At the end of October 2020, everyone can download a free document with all the prompts on Thankfulness along with some digital extras.
But there’s more! Enter to win – leave a comment on a post!
One person will win a special package of journaling cards and tags to do some planning… or journaling…
There will be a drawing from those who left a comment on any of the 30 Days of Thankfulness posts in 2020. Leave as many comments as you’d like – the more comments, the more entries.
I’ll be drawing a random winner on November 2nd 2020 .
Watch the video that shows it all… click here if you can’t see the player.
Prayer is ongoing dialogue – it can express joy and sorrow and fears and overwhelm – at any time. All the time.
It’s a way to help, even when you’re far away, or there doesn’t seem like there’s any solution. How? It’s an action to engage the One who knows everything and has the power to do everything you can’t. Ask. Seek. Knock.
Prayer makes a difference – in your life and in others’ lives.
What you believe
shapes how you pray,
and what you pray
shapes you.
So – be thankful for the ability to pray.
Devote yourself to prayer. Watch and give thanks for all the good in your life. And experience how life unfolds… the good and bad will (eventually) have a purpose.
Also – be thankful for those who pray for you.
You may have an idea of those who pray for you, or maybe you have no clue… As an example, Rob’s parents used to walk around their neighborhood and pray for those who lived in the houses they passed. Those people had no idea they were being prayed for… And in case you’re wondering, I have (and will continue to) prayed for you – I pray for those who read what I write. I am thankful for you and want you to feel loved, and optimistic, and encouraged and filled with hope for your future… Yes. I’m thankful I can pray.
This is the 10th of 30 days of Thankfulness – here’s the original post. At the end of October 2020, there will be an entire document with all 30 of the prompts – so you can download it for free and journal about thankfulness at any time you’d like!
Do you feel stressed? Maybe it IS time for a hobby!
Watching TV isn’t a hobby (in my opinion, anyway).
Television or movies or Netflix (insert visual experience here) is a passive time occupier. (and yes, I am guilty of occupying my time this way also…)
However. Just consider what passive means…
Passive – here’s some of the definition:
not participating readily or actively; inactive
not involving visible reaction or active participation
inert or quiescent.
Do you want to be known as inert or quiescent? (Hint – it’s not something you want to put on your resume.)
Let’s ditch that inert or quiescent attitude!
I challenge you to get (back) into a hobby and deal with stress, make life (and ourselves) more interesting, make new connections, and get lost in a challenging, absorbing activity!
What kinds of hobbies have you tried?
Pull out some of those projects that you haven’t finished! Feel good about finishing them!
Read one of those books that have been on your shelf for years. Or re-read an old favorite. Children’s books are not just for children. Just sayin’.
Put on your shoes and explore your neighborhood. It’s as simple as biking or putting one foot in front of another.
Gather the supplies and bake something. Give it away or eat it yourself.
Finish that puzzle.
Learn a new language – try American Sign Language!
Plant some bulbs now so they’ll bloom in the spring.
Learn to draw, do calligraphy, become a city-expert, and guide…
Knit, crochet, do some paper-crafting, or something else with your hands.
Foster a dog from a shelter till it finds its “forever home”.
Record yourself reading a story (weird voices and all) and send it to some kids you know.
Send notes to people telling them how thankful you are for them.
Listen to a new genre of music and explore a different culture/time.
Get handy – build and/or repair something.
What could you do as a hobby?
Get out of the habit of watching TV – and explore all the benefits of working on one of your hobbies. You can make money with a hobby – you can help others with a hobby – you can make the world more beautiful with a hobby – you can explore, delve, and become a subject matter expert with a hobby…
Be thankful for your hobbies! They make you interesting and beat stress!
This is the 9th post of 30 Days of Thankfulness. Read the original post here.At the end of October 2020, I’ll be releasing a document with all the prompts and some digital freebies if you want to journal about thankfulness… Have you subscribed?
As you can tell from the photos in this series of posts, I’m practicing a new hobby. It’s called “junk journaling”.
It’s called “junk” journalingbecause it may incorporate things you’d normally throw away and puts together what’s old to make it new again. “Recycling” at its finest!
I’m fascinated by the breadth of this hobby – it can incorporate many, many skills. I’ve just scratched the surface.
Join me on YouTube to watch the videos I make about my hobby! Click HERE!
Here’s a pocket I made from a junk-mail envelope – then I added tags to the pocket. I also did a video showing the pocket.
This was a junk envelope – I made it into something pretty and useful!
Journaling is an old, old practice. My grandmother kept journals. In a way, your calendar is a journal – it’s writing down what’s happening with you – today, now, and as you add your hopes for the future.
After I take the photos you see in this series of posts, I’m filling the pages in – documenting what I’m thankful for right now. Now. In this odd, uncomfortable time.
Why not join me? Pull out some paper, or an app on your phone, or whatever you have at hand and journal along with me… Or you can wait to download the full document with all the prompts and do it then.
I feel strongly that documenting our lives – particularly what we’re thankful for – is a way to have a connection to the future. My grandchildren probably won’t remember these days (and a great deal about me) when they’re grown. But my journals will survive. What I’ve documented includes them…
(By the way, I also keep prayer journals, but Rob has promised he will burn them once I’m gone. Those are just between God and me, and I’ve seen how God has answered my prayers – it’s my personal reminder to myself that prayer matters and is a worthwhile action. In a few days, there’s a prompt about prayer, so you can know a little bit more about my view on that.)
However.
Back to Junk Journaling…
If you’d like to see more of what I make – and what I make to sell, I also invite you to check out my Etsy page.
During the summer I made 30 Hymn Journaling tags and little Booklets as a home for those tags – they’re meant to document just a bit of your life. They’re great as gifts – or as a way to write down your thoughts. I put a few on Etsy.
Making junk journals, tags, ephemera, and goodies is a perfect way for me to stay calm during this time. It keeps my hands busy and focused on something positive.
I’ll be adding to the Etsy store – more and more – as I practice my new hobby. Check it out!
Here’s a 51 second video showing the pocket I made with a junk envelope…
Be prompted to be positive via email- to remind you that you're loved, to be thankful, of encouraging and to be encouraged and of setting and achieving goals. That's Positive ThanksLiving!
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