The Positive Challenge With Gratitude

Last week, my friend Joy of Facets of Joy tagged me on Facebook inviting me to participate in a wonderful challenge. The Positive Challenge where *For 5 days, you post 3 positive things that happened to you or you are grateful for that day. At the end of each day, tag/nominate 3 people to take part in the challenge.*

I loved the idea. I already maintain a gratitude journal and write in it whenever I feel like it, just making sure that I write in it every day.

It is true I always look for the positives in every situation – my Mom raised me that way.  “If you can identify the problem, you can also arrive at the solution” she would say. And I believed her.In fact, when I feel low, I quickly set the timer for 3 minutes and list all the things I am grateful for. A variation is what makes  me happy. As I’ve made gratitude a practice, a habit,  it was easy to participate in the challenge.

As a rule, I don’t hang around Facebook except to visit the couple of groups I am part of; but Joy’s nudge was something I could not ignore. I accepted the challenge.  Yesterday was Day 5 and I’d like to share my gratitude list from those five days with you.

The wonderful thing about gratitude – it just makes life better.

Here then, is my list.

Gratitude Day 1

1/ I was busy in the kitchen earlier than usual this morning, so I’d have lunch boxes ready before 7.15 am, as my son had to go for an early class. As I rolled out my rotis, I got a warm hug and kiss from my son telling me how lucky he is to have me. If that’s not enough to make my life, tell me what is. I am grateful I am blessed with an affectionate, appreciative son!

2/ It is my friend Ranjit‘s birthday today and I felt inordinately pleased to wish him in the morning and that set me off reminiscing about our wonderful friendship – few people are blessed with friends like mine. We’ve been friends since 1987. Thank you, Ranjit, for enriching my life.

3/Right now, as I type this, I am enjoying my breakfast. I am looking forward to a day of getting lots of things done. As I look at my priority list for today, I am grateful for all I have and most of all, the flexible routine I can afford to set for myself.

Gratitude On Day 2

1/ The sunshine, which means my washing will dry…well almost….before the rains hit us again

2/ The fact that I work from home, so I could choose not to work today and do something else I needed to do.

3/ P G Wodehouse. I have a mother of a headache since yesterday that won’t go away but I am glad I have humor to enjoy!

Gratitude On Day 3

1/ My blood pressure is normal. I am grateful because i was worried.

2/ A lovely walk around my area this morning – on the new roads in beautiful weather

3./A wonderful afternoon at my son’s school at the PTA meeting. Fills my Mommy-heart with happiness to hear affectionate words about him.

4/(Just had to add a fourth, you know). A laughter-filled walk in the evening on our terrace with my husband and son, even as we enjoyed watching the glorious skies take on different hues.

Gratitude On Day 4

1/ Lovely long chat with my friend. Lots of laughter

2/ Completing a project on time – the satisfaction is wonderful!

3/ A cozy Sunday with my folks at home, eating together, laughing together, sharing bits of our day with each other and now, getting ready to step out for a walk.

Gratitude On Day 5

1/ I was sitting and thinking how wonderful to look for and pick out the good moments every day when Shailaja mentioned the same thing to me. I felt a wonderful sense of “mission accomplished”. I usually do look for the silver lining, but now, I am doing so even more consciously and what a difference it makes to the entire day – to look forward to good things! I am grateful!

2/ I am grateful for the good food I eat every day and the diet advice I get from my best friend. Yes, Life is good.

3/ I checked my weight and was delighted to see I had shed 6 pounds. So I like to think I didn’t need to – but hey I am not complaining. All the vigorous dedicated daily walking is paying off. It means I am proactively working on maintaining good health so I can do all the things I want to do for my family, my friends and my welfare homes.

4/ Yes, there’s a fourth. I am grateful for this habit of listing the positives every day. I already have a gratitude journal, but now I’m planning to fill it up even more.​

I am so grateful to all those I tagged for taking it forward and posting their own gratitude lists.

♥

Do you write gratitude lists?

Do you maintain a gratitude journal?

What is the one thing you’re thankful for?

Linking to the Gratitude Link up at Laurel Regan’s Today’s Gratitude List Linkup No.39.