Gratitude and the Pursuit of Happiness

Being the month of Thanksgiving, I always try to make November a month to reflect on all the areas in my life that I should be grateful for. In my class of 5th graders, I have them each create a Gratitude Journal. Each day they are supposed to come up with 3 non-materialistic things to be thankful for.

I am encouraged when I read their ponderings: "I am thankful for the crunch of the leaves on a cool autumn day." "I am thankful for the sound of chirping birds when I wake up." "I am thankful for teachers who grow my brain." I even had a little boy who was "thankful for the sound of persimmons falling from the trees." What I love about Gratitude Journals is that no matter how bad of day you're having, there are still things to be thankful for.

I was first introduced to the idea of Gratitude Journals when I was a Junior in High School. My English teacher, Mrs. Logan had our whole class keep these journals. At first I rolled my eyes because it seemed like such a childish task. What I soon realized, was that there are so many little things to be grateful for: finding a really cool pen in the hall, hearing babies laugh, Jesus clouds shooting from the sky, and so many more.

This morning I was listening to Woody and Janet on 105.9 and I learned that this week is Pursuit of Happiness Week. He gave a list of ten things you can do to make your life more joyful and ways you can be more happy. Of course I know the root of authentic joy is none other than Jesus Christ, but I was interested to hear how to obtain joy through secular means. I really like this list. Look it over and see if there are any ways you can become a more joyful person.

10 Ways to Be a More Joyful Person
1. Plant and nurture something.
2. Reflect and be thankful about 5 things daily.
3. Talk for an hour with a loved one at least once a week.
4. Call a friend you haven't talked to for a while and set up a time to meet.
5. Do a random act of kindness for someone every day.
6. Exercise at least 3 times a week for at least 30 minutes.
7. Give yourself a treat everyday and savor/enjoy it.
8. Laugh everyday!
9. Say hello to a stranger every day.
10. Spread kindness.

Hope you have a great day. Enjoy the beautiful sunshine and think of all the many blessings in your own life!

After a brief hiatus...

Wow! It has been a LONG time since I wrote on this blog. It has been almost a year since I have written anything meaningful. For those of you who are still interested in what I have to say, welcome back to my thoughts. I'm really hoping that blogging will be a priority for me in this upcoming season of life. I look forward to it.

So where have I been for over a year? I have been working diligently on my Masters in Educational Technology from Mizzou. I started last August and I officially finished yesterday!! I got notice that my portfolio passed final review last night. I tell you what, I can tell an instant difference in my life already! I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. It's not so much that I let my Master's effect my social or personal life, it's just that there was always this shadow hanging over me and this gnawing guilt that I should be doing homework. I am so thankful that I no longer feel that guilt. I'd like to think I have so much more free time ahead of me, but so far it's looking like I'm going to be as busy as ever...maybe just without the guilt. Either way, I'm so glad to be done!! I officially graduate on December 18. Am I walking? Heck yes, I am!