At the beginning of the year, I shared with y’all my word for this year that would hopefully impact my life and cause a permanent change in the way I think and handle each day. That word for me is Grateful. Check out how I started my year incorporating that word into my daily life here if you missed it before.
My goal was to read Ann Voskamp’s One Thousand Gifts Devotional: Reflections on Finding Everyday Graces daily. I read it last year and absolutely fell in love with the style of writing and knew that it would be perfect to kick start this journey.
I find myself looking forward to what the next day will teach me and how I can learn from it and the leading of the Holy Spirit as I read. Ann encourages readers to make a list of things they are grateful for challenging them to list 1000 gifts total.
I started a list last year but because I am so particular about things, I decided to start over with a new list. My husband Mark gave me a new journal in my Christmas stocking that has a beautiful leather cover with a cute little closure on it. I knew I wanted to use it for something special when I saw it and not just to write random notes and doodles on.
I decided it would be perfect for keeping my list. I am such a hands on pen and paper kind of girl that I love having my list written down. You could also keep a list on your phone. There is actually an app called 1000 Gifts for doing just that. The app also has encouraging quotes from the book.
Even if I don’t have my journal with me and think of something that I want to write down, I type it in my notepad on my phone and write it in the journal later.
The more things I write down, I have noticed that it becomes more addictive to me to want to think of even more things. I find myself throughout the day, noticing those small things even more and wanting to write them down. For me writing them down makes them more real causing me to appreciate them even more.
The other fun part about a list is that you can visit it later and remember those things again. If I hadn’t written them down, then I probably wouldn’t be likely to be grateful for it as much.
Let me know in the comments below, if you are keeping a list as well and how much it has impacted you. If you aren’t keeping a list, then don’t think it’s too late to start now. It is never too late. It will absolutely change your life and your way of thinking.
I will be back next month to share a little more of my own journey and what I learn this month. See you then and as always, enjoy the little things!
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Lovely idea. I would like my own list!
You should really start your own. You will be amazed at how it changes your point of view every day and becomes so addictive.
I love the idea of keeping a list
Thank you! It has been so much fun and helpful to me.
I love your journal! That looks like a great devotional too!
Love this idea. I might have to do this for myself. Thanks for sharing this with us Bethany :).
I hope you will. I have truly loved it so much!
This is a great idea! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much! I am so glad you liked it and hope you will give it a try.
I just found your site. I am sitting here listening to God’s stormy weather. Rain and thunder. I am so looking forward to making a list. It will be so much better than just praying thank You for Your many blessings. Will check out Ann’s book also. Going to start the goal journal also. I all about making lists.
Oh I am so glad to meet you! Thank you so much for stopping by. It brings joy to my heart to hear you say how much this has impacted you. It becomes addictive making the list and looking everyday for those blessings. I just love her book and devotional. I know you will too. Let me know how it goes for you in a few weeks.