it is really easy to take things for granted and it is something that i definitely need to work on. there are those days where i feel like all i do is clean my house, do laundry, be a referee between kids, etc and before you know it your day is gone and you have done nothing different that day than you did the day before. of course i am so thankful for all of the blessings in my life, but i don't acknowledge them everyday. while cleaning my house, i don't sit back and think, "my house is a disaster, but i am grateful that i have a house to clean." at the time i am thinking, "how nice would it be to have a maid to do all this cleaning for me!" i love this time of year for many reasons, but one reason is because it does make me realize how blessed i am and not just how i need to be more grateful for those things in my life, but that i need to be more aware of them on a daily basis.
the other day at church there was a handout about gratitude. i thought it was such a great reminder of the little things you can take for granted or the little things you don't think about doing everyday.
Little Attitudes of Gratitude
1. mind your manners. say please, thank you and excuse me.
2. smile when you see your family.
3. notice when others do kind things for you, show gratitude by action or words.
5. say i love you before going to bed.
6. give hugs daily.
7. don't worry about tomorrow. focus on what you are happy about today.
8. show thankfulness for even the little things others do for you.
9. leave love notes in unexpected places like lunch boxes and under pillows.
10. encourage someone with a compliment.
11. verbalize what you are grateful for when you feel like complaining about life.
12. no grumbling a ton about minor annoyances around the house.
13. do special things to cherish time with your family. you never know what tomorrow will bring.
14. reflect on happy memories regularly.
15. help someone out without them having to ask you.
16. when you are doing household chores, be grateful you have a house to clean.
o.k., so i know i am (somewhat) emotional being prego, but the days go by so fast and i can't believe how big my kids are getting already. i don't ever want to forget these times or take them for granted and i wish life would just slow down a little. i am so thankful for so many things, especially my husband and my two little kids. i love them more than ever and i can't wait to fall in love all over again with baby #3.
so maybe this holiday season pick an attitude of gratitude and give it a try. (i still think i would like a maid though!) these simple little attitudes of gratitude are a great reminder that such small acts can have such a big effect on yourself and even others.
