EMBRACING GRATITUDE

It's NOVEMBER already, when many of us look forward to Thanksgiving Day at the end of the month (the last Thursday), a day set aside to "give thanks" to God and others. There are also some, who begin the beginning of November, focusing on "giving thanks" daily. Then, there are quite a few that have made this a daily habit of having an attitude of gratitude, looking for "things" - "gifts" in each day.

It's been said that if you begin a new discipline and do it regularly it can become a new habit, but truthfully "on average, it takes more than 2 months (66 days)  before a new behavior becomes automatic" contrary to the 21 day myth ... I guess it depends on the behavior, and the reason for this 21 days was to inspire and encourage you to make any change feasible. 

We try to teach our little ones to say "thank you" when given something when young so that this habit becomes part of their response throughout life. And, of course, the needed response of "you're welcome" forms and develops the beginning of understanding that daily we can find at least one thing, one time, to say thanks, and multiple this a thousand times to our Lord, God Almighty that has provided EVERY THING to us! For me, it's counting His blessings ... our daily blessings from our first breath when we awake to every little and big thing that happens throughout our day. I want this attitude of gratitude so much to be a part of me, that I just don't want a day or a month, I really want to EMBRACE Gratitude as part of who I am, as a child of God! I desire to follow Ann's example in her well-known book "One Thousand Gifts" and the habit that many started upon grabbing hold of this beautiful, heart-felt book to "dare to live fully right where 'we' are". Here's what the book description begins with and over a million copies sold:

"New York Times bestselling author Ann Voskamp invites you to embrace everyday blessings and embark on the transformative spiritual discipline of chronicling God's gifts."

Ann Voskamp and Faith/Study Gateway even decided to make this available as an Online Bible Study starting November 18th through December 22nd (5 weeks) {with book, study guide and weekly video teachings plus freebies for joining}

Session 1 Attitude of Gratitude Session 2 Grace in the Moment Session 3 All is Grace Session 4 Trust: the Bridge to Joy Session 5 Empty to Fill

On November 4th Ann Voskamp will be giving a Premiere of ONE THOUSAND GIFTS on her Facebook page 9 PM (EST)

There is so much left to EMBRACE in 2019 and definitely not enough days
but
I'm thankful that GRATITUDE is an important one to embrace and carry forward in my life journey so that I'm wanting to approach this Thanksgiving and Christmas season with my eyes on Jesus counting my blessings while seeking JOY in what really matters
I couldn't find a better example than Ann Voskamp  to show me, lead me help me EMBRACE Gratitude
So now
How do I go about embracing gratitude?
I've read and heard that by:

• Starting a gratitude journal. ...
• Being grateful for life's hardships.
• Making gratitude a lifestyle. ...
• Being intentional with appreciation. ...
• Living in the now. ...
• Focusing on the positive. ...
• Clearing my mind. ...
• Realizing that gratitude is not dependent on “stuff” ...

are the first basic steps

I've learned only one of these (maybe two) as part of my life

so it looks like I have much to do still

Hope it's not too late

to make gratitude my lifestyle

Accepting Ann's Invitation!
and look what else I found besides the  Bible reading plans at You Version

Crosswalk.com has 30 Days Prayer Challenge of Gratitude Jesus Calling/ Jesus Always 10 Day Gratitude Challenge and many others, I'm sure

I have the ones above, however, I'm very intrigued in the one with Maree Dee (although I don't know her and it's from 2018), she certainly has what I believe I need to EMBRACE ... gratitude in the midst of the unexpected so that's where I am headed until November 18th ... 

Now that's enough to fill your calendar and few spare minutes
yet it doesn't take any time 
to find at least one thing
and whisper
Thank You, Lord!
every day