I think I first saw the idea from Ann Voskamp, author of One Thousand Gifts. This first book centers on listing things you’re thankful for as an expression of praise and a focus of the mind on those things. I appreciated her focus on specificity: zoom in on the details of what you’re thankful for, don’t just pass them by.
Seeing other people’s lists of gratitude has helped me in expressing my own. And today, just because, here are a few things I’m thankful for. How about you write your own list today? Just because.
- Blue skies with no cloud in sight
- A separate keyboard from my laptop
- A Zoom call with a new friend who smiles 98% of the time she talks
- Another Zoom call with a friend who’s smarter than me (at least in programming for sure) yet still wants to study with me all the time
- A friend ahead in the curriculum who tells me the way forward
- Being paid to learn
- Human timelines that do not restrict God in the slightest
- Water that’s just a touch cooler than room temperature
- David’s mid-morning hugs
- A fantastic and personable dog trainer
- Everest learning the difference between lay and sit
- Seeing your friends meet people
- Regular prayer times
- Fluffy comforters
- A sewing machine
- Forgotten and now able to be used fabrics
- Fibbi
- Friends who celebrate you
- David’s random singing
- Burrito bowls
- Enjoying the same foods as my husband
- Forgiveness
- Grace
- Everest’s sleepy cuddling
- Understanding JavaScript
- Exercising with Emely
- Being very sore from said exercise
- Anticipation of loved ones visiting
- Enough space (more than)
- Long fingernails
- Bullet journalling
- Feeling encouraged
- Random phone calls from friends
- Excitement about the future
- Peace amidst chaos
- Steps to Christ
- A gentle breeze in the tree outside my office window
- Getting things done without stress
- Unshakeable faith
- Jumpsuits
- The anticipation of reading a good book and getting into bed on the early side
- Enjoyable hobbies
- Clean, just-put-away laundry
hi there, fellow sapling 