attitude of gratitude
Time to claim we are grateful! Thanksgiving and gratitude practices go together like turkey and dressin’ so here’s a chance to see if we (ok, me) can delight and inspire.
Optimism
Busted! I’m torn between ignoring the season entirely and ensuring I properly acknowledge it. A spark of inspiration lit within my brain when a friend complimented my photography skills, causing me to look back on a 30-day Gratitude Challenge I completed one November. I thought that could be the answer! Here we are, testing out whether this post can ride the line of honoring the season of abundance (and my gratitude for all of it) without being kitschy or fall flat like the crunch of leaves under our boots.
First, let me clarify. I’m not demanding or even suggesting you indulge in the trend of fulfilling gratitude season. I think all seasons deserve our attention on this matter and yet, it’s easy to let the coziness of fall lift within us a wellspring of gratefulness, nostalgia, and warmth. Right? Also, it’s supposed to be good for our health. So there’s that. All I’m aiming for today is to simply honor the season.
Second, I mentioned this is experimental. Thanks for rolling with me here as I stumble through not knowing exactly how I want to honor gratitude, and while I don’t want to seem trite, I hope inspiration authentically shines through. Even a little bit. I propose a meandering snapshot of my attitude of gratitude photo challenge along with the words I shared years ago. Ok, actually a condensed version. Thirty days is a lot to cover, whew!
I propose recycling the idea because most of the content smacks of my particular brand of whimsy and looking back is a bit of a way for me to look forward right now. What I mean by that is how I’m interested in content designer jobs that allow me to mix images and words in a similar vein to how I did throughout this particular challenge. Maybe if you have it in you, please share your thoughts.
Last, before I begin to create a Candyland board of images and words, I hope you enjoy this season whether you feel there’s nothing to be grateful for right now or are wrapped in comfortable abundance. I know there’s a lot going on out there and this year feels strange and depleting for many. Although not much clarity surrounds us as the year closes, I hope you at least know that someone out there loves you. I love you. And I hope that is enough.
Alright, let’s get the party started! What is the 30-day gratitude challenge? Why did I choose to indulge in it? And where can you find more info? Great questions! In 2019, I came across an Instagram handle of encouraging phrases drawn in creative designs called Positively Present by Dani DiPirro.
All of the sentiments behind the designs resonated sharply with me. Naturally, I followed the account and liked every single post. I let each one sit in my headspace as I navigated the move back to a dreary land and began a job search post-grad school. Being in such a vulnerable place in my life left me open to trying to make something good out of the lack of opportunity I felt. Why not improve my mood and aim to be more gracious on the daily?
The 30-day challenge was indeed challenging while also surprising me with sweet rewards. I discovered how truly fun my life is, how incredible the people in it are, and that an overflowing abundance surrounds me. Sounds silly that I was not already aware of these concepts, but somehow I hadn’t singled in on them yet. I appreciate the opportunity and am glad to have these poignant themes captured in time. I look back on them every so often and smile.
Do I recommend you attempt this too? Yes, of course! Although in your own way and with the level of challenge you feel you need. I know November passed us by already but who says you can’t write your own journal’s worth for the month of December? Here’s the link to this year’s: 15th annual 30-Day Gratitude Challenge in case you want to attempt the challenge.
Odd thought to be grateful for, right?
I appreciated a random idea to consider. What does color mean to you?
Laughter is medicine.
I hope you are giggling or cackling at a memory right now!
Health
This is the concept most taken for granted, right? It also seems to be the most important.
Courage
In the post I continue with a wish that my younger self had posted Sasquatch’s words on the inside of my bedroom door and how much time I wasted on insecurities. Ultimately, the conclusion is I am where I am today because of those insecurities and I’m oddly grateful for that. Here’s to you having the courage to be vulnerable and release any doubts you may hold within you.
Yeah, gratitude for nature came naturally to me. Pun intended!
Seasons mean a whole lot more to me these days and that concept took hold of me due to this challenge. That’s something extra to be grateful for!
Friendship, how sweet it is.
"A true friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out." — Walter Winchell
I find this post of mine to be the most poignant. The breakthrough post, if you indulge me. The deepest I’ve shared on socials, the most genuine reveal.
Kindness
"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted."
~ Aesop
Nothing new here!
Teamwork makes the dream work!
It’s not lost on me that I always end up in fun teams. I’m grateful for each of those to get me through this life.
Make it stand out
I am grateful for a growth mindset however nerdy that makes me. Ballet instilled this concept of insatiable curiosity within me and oh how delightful it is!
The two images above, the octopus praising itself for letting go with one singular tentacle and the unicorn holding its heart, captured the prompt of “Day 18: Self-love” for me in an inexplicable manner. Letting go of bad habits or negative thinking is hard somehow. Holding space for our own heart is a worthy pursuit though.
Creativity is what I live for.
Duh
Knowledge is power.
What knowledge would you share if you could?
Art is life and life is art.
You are an artist. Yes! Yes, you are.
Chosen family is valuable too!
I hope you hug your loved ones tight over this past week of forced family fun!
Memories: The perfect ending
Need I write more?
Not quite as condensed as I intended. Oopsies. I hope, at least, you were able to consider each theme and how you’re grateful for your own memories that were conjured from the depths of your mind. It’s a fun little experiment, right? Considering what we are grateful for through random words elicits nostalgia laced with appreciation.
As we walk off the rest of our Thanksgiving dinners, let’s take these forward with us. How can we hold onto this gratitude throughout the holiday season? I for one will be grateful for my body holding up through another round of Nutcracker and relishing sweet time with some of you! Thanks for sticking it out. I hope your holiday season is illuminated with love, peace, and joy.