14:14 Gratitude Challenge Highlights

On this glorious Thanksgiving Day, I opened my gratitude journal and read through the 14+ gratitudes I listed on each of the previous 14 days — more than 196 of them!

My reactions ranged from giggles to eyes welling with tears of deep appreciation to my heart swelling with love and joy. The things I listed tended to group around a few themes, which I'll share in a moment.

But first, I've got to share a couple that made me giggle. They seem like such silly little things, yet they are packed with appreciation:

"Feeling beautiful and special every time my phone whistles at me." When a text message arrives, I'm notified by a "Hey, good looking!" whistle. I had no idea when I chose the sound how much it would brighten my day.

"Styling with our new hubcaps." For months, we had been driving around with one hub cap missing. Although it made it easier to spot our gray car in a parking lot, it made our car look sad and neglected, like "a girl with a hole in her stocking." When David put on a new set of hubcaps, our car suddenly looked bright and perky, qualities that rubbed off on me when I rode in it.

"My warm, comfy pink slippers." I'm amazed at how much joy and well-being a pair of $10 slippers has given me. The slippers showed up on at least four lists.

The main themes I noticed were:

• My husband David's love, creativity, resourcefulness, handyman skills, steadfast support of my professional goals, and partnership on an amazing life journey.

• My dear, fun, loving, supportive sisters and friends. Our phone conversations always show up on my gratitude lists. 

• The joy and fulfillment I feel while helping my clients express their creativity, talents and unique message.

• Nature in all its amazing expressions — Wild horses. Clouds shaped like long, tapered cigars. The sound of sleet hitting the motorhome roof. Glistening, snow-capped peaks. Bright red sunrises.

• Quality of life amenities — Friendliness and kind gestures of strangers. Delicious, home-cooked meals. Heat on a cold night. Hot, soothing showers. 

And there's so much more. Each blessing, no matter how "big" or "small" is as significant as the other.  Each one enriches my life.

Embrace the Power of Gratitude

“Piglet noticed that even though he had a Very Small Heart,

 it could hold a rather large amount of Gratitude.”
― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

Whether we consider our hearts, our significance or our prosperity to be big or small, we all have a limitless capacity to express gratitude for the good in our lives.

The act of saying thank you is infused with power. When we say thanks, we shift our perspective, replacing feelings of lack with appreciation for what we have. That subtle shift can turn worry into peace of mind, confusion into clarity, frustration into resolve.

And gratitude attracts even more good into our lives!

"When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you."

— Lao Tzu

I've been keeping a gratitude journal for several years now. It helps keep my thoughts and feelings focused on the good, the positive and the possible. Admittedly, when life events make me feel helpless or hopeless, it can be a challenge to pick up my pen. But that is when I most need to shift my perspective. That is when the momentum I've created with a daily gratitude practice helps me take conscious action and write what I am thankful for despite conditions and circumstances. 

At this time of year, the American holiday of Thanksgiving magnetizes my awareness of the rich blessings in my life. In honor of this special season, I created my fun and meaningful 14:14 Gratitude Challenge. You're welcome to take on this challenge too. Here's how it goes:

• During the two weeks (14 days) leading up to Thanksgiving, list at least 14 things every day that you are grateful for. (If you missed the first days, just start where you are and write down 14 blessings every day.)
• By Thanksgiving, you will have 14 x 14 gratitudes. That's a total of 196!
• On Thanksgiving Day (November 22, 2012), acknowledge and celebrate the good in your life by reading each of those gratitudes out loud.
• Reflect on the two weeks since you began the 14:14 Gratitude Challenge. What shifts have you noticed in how you think and feel? What unexpected gifts and opportunities have shown up?

I love both the daily process of the 14:14 Gratitude Challenge and the finale's celebration. Most of all, I'm delightfully curious about what my review of those 196 thank you's will reveal to me!

Check back after Thanksgiving and I'll fill you in!