July 28

I call it The Big Joy of Little Things, a way you can find happiness every single day and you have to give this a try. Seriously.

If you missed yesterday’s post, here’s how it works: name and claim the little things that happen, the ordinary things that make life better, easier, more delicious, more fun. Add those to the big things that are present most days, but are gifts nonetheless.

Don’t just gloss over these blessings and run off to tackle the next item on your to-do list. Instead linger on every good thing you have in your life. Say it out loud or write it down (that's important) and keep adding to your list until you can’t come up with another thing. Close your eyes and think deeply about how blessed you are and give intense, focussed thanks from your very core. Bask in those blessings and in your gratitude. If you are a Believer, lift your mind and your heart and connect with God as you give thanks. Doing this in prayer makes this experience even more intense for me. 

Spend at least a few minutes on this so you can go deep into your thoughts. Don’t rush it. Give the gratitude time to take hold of you. When I do this, the effervescent, positive effect lasts all day long. I feel like I am equipped with gratitude bumpers and, although things will inevitably go wrong, those bumpers somehow absorb much of the impact. 

My plan is to do this every day for a year. Every day gratitude and every day more joy. I hope you’ll come along and do it, too, and see what affect it has on you. Stop by here and tell us what you’re grateful for so we don’t overlook it in our own lives. 

To help you get in the habit of looking for the Little Things, I'll even send you reminders. Just add your email below. Then pass this along to others and spread joy and gratitude. God knows this world needs it. And maybe you'll end up on someone's gratitude list because of it.

Okay… now that you know how it works,  here we go. 

Day 1 of The Big Joy of Little Things and I hold up in grateful esteem...

1. Phone calls and texts that came from old friends who know my history and my heart.  

2. Birthday leftovers of peanut butter and chocolate ice cream, my favorite favorite flavor.

3. Stretchy skorts with enough spandex that I can still fit into them even after birthday ice cream. And they're so darned comfy!

4. Belly laughing at the hysterical things my boys said as we sat around the dinner table last night, enjoying being together. Bonus:  there was no fighting.

What things are you grateful for today? Say them out loud. List them. Linger on them. Feel deeply grateful. And share them here. They matter.