Tuesday, February 22, 2011

The Gratitude Challenge


Last year was a really hard year for our family and many, many bad things happened to us. Sometimes it seemed like more bad than good. But we just weren't looking close enough. There were amazing things happening all around us. So many amazing things came out of our bad year. And now in hindsight I am grateful for all the things we went through and I wouldn't change any of them. The exception to that being the death of my father in law.

So since things have calmed down my mind has been processing all the amazing things and the gratitude that I feel is overwhelming. I have been trying to think of the right ways to let all the people around me know just how much they have meant to me but nothing seemed big enough.

Today I figured it out.

I think that as people we are guilty of recognizing the crap in our lives and dwelling there. It's cozy. I think that for some reason it's harder to say "Thank you" than it is to say "That sucks". So I figured out a way to flip it all around and change that for myself. I am challenging myself to identify just who I am grateful for and to let them know just how much they have meant to me. And I want to see how many of you will take this change with me.

Here's the idea. I will pick one person (or place such as my church)each day in March and I will send them a hand written note (preferable) or email detailing why I am grateful for them, how they have been a blessing to me, and offering to return the favor to them if they ever need me. I'm going to start my list and letters now so that I am more likely to meet my goal of one a day. I will not let anyone know that I am doing this outside of my readers as I want these people to know this is sincere. I don't want them thinking they are just another name to put on the list as my intentions are true here.

My hope is that by the end of March I will have let 31 people know how special they are. I want to put good out into the world like these people did for me. Then in April I'll let you all know what an impact it had on them and me.

Who is willing to commit to take this challenge with me?

9 comments:

  1. Hey pretty lady! You are such an inspiration to me! I think this is a great idea!

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  2. Whew! That would be amazing! I look forward to hearing how you are blessed by this blessing to others!

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  3. What a fantastic idea! I vote for the handwritten way! Everyone loves to get mail when it comes from the heart!

    Megan

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  4. Wow, what an incredible idea! Special thanks and sentiments definitely get pushed aside in today's world. This sounds like a great challenge - I'm willing to try it too!

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  5. I'm in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Crystal
    Domestic, But Not Martha

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  6. This is a great idea. I am definitely up for the challenge.
    Jennifer
    http://www.alwaysinwonder.com

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  7. I will now eco what others have said, GREAT IDEA!!! I think I will try it as well. The trick is finding 31 actual 'snail mail' addresses. lol

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  8. It was surprisingly easy to come up with my 31. Remember that it can be a place too. I am including my church and the grocery store near my house that has AMAZING customer service & I've always meant to write a letter.

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  9. I love this! Unfortunately I just now...today saw it, Plus I do not know 31 people (I don't think) Hand written huh? Not a pat on the back and "good job?" lol just kidding. I will try as well.

    Thank you :)

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