Cultivating gratitude and accepting Ann’s Joy Dare in capturing One Thousand Gifts in 2012.
January 1: Three things about myself for which I’m grateful.
1. I do not have a terrible job record. I am a simply woman of many interests. (Thank you, Sissy.)
2. My heart is in the shape of a Horseshoe–the lake where I grew up.
3. That heart has belonged to the same man for over 40 years who continues to love me in spite of myself.
January 2: A gift outside, inside, on a plate.
4. Wild turkeys marching down the road.
5. A large window through which I can see wild turkeys marching down the road.
6. A gift from my mother who knew I love cats and pansies.
January 3: Three lines you overheard that were graces.
7. I love you, G-ma.
8. This food is really good.
9. I’m working from home today.
January 4: One gift old, new, and blue.
10. Glassware that belonged to my great-grandmother.
11. A canvas of a photo.
12. Aurora…Guardian of Dreams. “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you’ve imagined.”
January 5: Something you’re reading, you’re making, you’re seeing.
13. Re-reading Rumors of Water by L.L. Barkat and letting these words sink deep, “Let the me-that-I-am-right-now simply be.”
14. Making my bed–for a change.
15. His artistry in a flicker.
January 6: One thing in your bag, your fridge, your heart.
16. Two gift cards to Barnes & Noble.
17. Homemade strawberry freezer jam–taste of summer in a jar.
18. Joy, joy, joy, joy down in.
January 7: Three graces from people you love.
19. Grandgirl squeezes and sticky kisses.
20. A husband’s encouragement to be the me-that-I-am and the-me-that-I-am-looking-for.
21. The aloe plant still lives. The one my dad gave me a few weeks ago despite the fact I murder every one he gives me.
January 8: Light that caught you, a reflection that surprised you, a shadow that fell lovely.
22. From my porch.
23. Reflection of an empty Capri Sun in the bottom of a stainless steel bowl.
24.
January 9: A gift in your hand, a gift you walked by, a gift you sat by.
25. A sweet note from a friend.
26. The heady cinnamon-cider fragrance of a bowl of potpourri.
27. A grandgirl saying bedtime prayers.
January 10: A gift that’s sour, a gift that’s sweet, a gift that’s just right.
28. Finding ink marks on my sofa made by healthy little hands.
29. Finding the culprit asleep in her high chair.
30. Hearing the culprit try to sing, “Jesus Loves Me.”
January 11: Three yellow things that strike you as fresh mercy.
31.
32.
33.
January 12: Something above you, something below you, something beside you.
34.
35.
36.
Are you taking the dare?
Pray diligently. Stay alert, with your eyes wide open in gratitude.
~Colossians 4:2 (Message)
Yes, although I’m doing it privately in a new journal. I printed out Ann’s January page, and am using it to list the items before copying them into the journal where I can elaborate on them. It is like a mental rebirth. 🙂
Oh Carol. That’s a wonderful plan! It’s amazing, isn’t it. The more we see, the more we see.
Loved reading this and looking at the beautiful pictures! We are all so blessed, if only we’d see it!
Thanks, Corinne. It’s all in the matter of our focus, right?
Love these photos. Love you.
And now I’m wanting to go downstairs and see if the dining room table still bears the little black Sharpie scribble that Ayden left there back when the table was brand new and he was two. 🙂
Treasure that! And I’ll try to treasure the scratches in my antique headboard–that are in the form of Grace’s name that she left there when she was…um seven? 😛
My sister stood behind my grandparent’s end table and teethed on it. My grandfather was a master of finishes–a painting contractor–and grandma never let him refinish that table to cover the tooth marks.
We had an old family clock that we gave to our nephew. (I miss that clock.) The patterned glass in the front had been replaced with a mirror after my husband’s grandmother threw her shoe at her brother and missed.
Such stories behind our scars.
The stories redeem our scars, I think.
Oh, good point. And His scars redeem our stories?
Better point! THE point, even.
🙂
Isn’t it fun to have a daily joy hunt – to look for things specifically?
The little one asleep in the high chair is the cutest! Your photos themselves bring me Joy!
Thanks for sharing Sandra!
P.S. I have the same yellow dish detergent on my counter 🙂
Oh, Stacy. Thanks for coming by. I really prefer Lemon Joy! But our local grocery doesn’t seem to carry it any more. I always got such joy from using it. 🙂
I love this challenge.
Sandy, as always, beautiful pictures. What a gorgeous view you have from your front porch. How wonderful to see as much beauty and wildlife so near your home. You are very blessed, not to mention sweet grand babies so close.