Gratitude Check | Pad Patter 8.9.15

[scrapsandsass]

I used to have a group of friends who would check-in with each other via email, or in person if we had a chance to get together, and do a little gratitude check. It started when we took a trip to Europe and had a long list of crazy and unexpected travel problems/challenges. To keep our spirits up and focus on the "adventure" aspect rather than the problems, we'd all take a turn to say what we were grateful for as a good reminder to enjoy what we could in each moment. We kept it going for quite awhile after we got back from our trip, and it is always good to see when one of us posts something online and we can remember to be thankful. It has always helped me to find the silver lining.

So since our household has been dealing with some tough challenges lately, I thought I'd do a gratitude check here.

I'm grateful for TLP and all of the amazing people and opportunities for creativity. I'm so thankful my grandma is still going fairly strong at 95 and I have her in my life. I'm thankful that we caught the water leak in the bathroom (that required we unexpectedly tear the entire thing apart) so that it was somewhat contained and we can renovate. I'm thankful that my brother lays tile for a living and can give us advice/information and/or help us with the bathroom project and we can help him when he's between jobs. And I'm grateful that even with some of the health problems we've encountered lately, that we are still mostly lucky/healthy.

What about you? What are some things you are grateful for this week? Do you have any sort of a regular gratitude practice/gratitude journal that you maintain?

 

[carilyne]

I usually try to find good in everything but I could use a gratitude check this week.

I too am thankful for TLP for support when I feel down and need encouragement. I'm thankful for my family. That the hubs and I have worked things out to be tolerable even enjoyable though it's far from perfect. I'm thankful I found a community of introverts and highly sensitive people (a new personality trait I guess you would call it) and that I'm not feeling so crazy now. I am very thankful for AC. I'm thankful for my son who is gaining a positive attitude again and another who will someday find a job.

 

[KarenW]

I'm grateful for the internet. My 19yo daughter has headed over to Europe for 4 months and although it has only been a few days since she left, we have had many quick messages about where she is. Very reassuring.

I'm also grateful that I have nothing big to plan for, the first time in months. Feels like a holiday, just doing normal stuff that has no deadline.

 

[IntenseMagic]

I am grateful for the opportunity to be a Guest Polly this month and be able to work with designers and scrappers that I so admire! I am grateful that I've been able to spend a great deal of time with family this summer, being able to go places and do things that we were unable to do last year. I'm also grateful that I have the time in the summer to do all the things that I want to do. I could go on and on! Even with the occasional things that come up and go wrong, we are so incredibly blessed!

 

[gonewiththewind]

I don't keep a journal, but this is something that I do all the time when I find myself complaining internally (or externally). Somehow I feel that the scales need to be balanced. For instance, I complain about the laundry all the time, so I feel that I need to be grateful, for electricity, for hot water, for machines that do the work for me, that I have said machines right in my home, that we have enough money to clothe ourselves to even make laundry . . . you get the idea.

It is a practice that is well worth it and has seen me through many dark days.

Here are just some grateful thoughts and prayers of thanksgiving for today:

I'm grateful for the last few days I have with my daughter before she leaves for college. I'm grateful that school is starting back for my son as it will be nice to have work hours uninterrupted by "Mama, I need . . . Mama, could I have . . . Mama, can we . . . " I'm grateful for the long summer hours we've had to be lazy and hang out. I'm grateful that while I'm having a lot of back pain, I don't have a full time job that I have to commute to, and can work around the worst times. I'm grateful that I can still walk and dress myself. I'm grateful that my birthday is coming up. I'm grateful that the weather will soon begin changing, and I'll relish that first morning when the air doesn't feel like a wet blanket covering my face. I'm grateful that my husband is so supportive and kind, even though sometimes he drives me to distraction. I'm grateful for my furbaby Holly Belle, who always seems to know when I'm feeling low and in pain. She finds the best times to cuddle. I'm grateful for air conditioning. I'm grateful for pajamas and not wearing bras. I'm grateful for my Mama and my Daddy, my siblings, my friends, all of whom support me day in and day out.

 

[jaye]

I am grateful that I have been able to provide a pretty good life for son on my own and that I moved back to my hometown to raise him. I am also very grateful that I have a great kid (even if he drives me crazy sometimes). I'm grateful for my brother who is also my friend, he 'gets' me. I'm grateful for quiet mornings with my coffee and quiet evenings. I am grateful that I have a job I still love even if it frustrates me sometimes.

 

[jenn mccabe]

oh love this. no , i don't do it often enough.

i'm grateful we are healthy. i am grateful we found something fun that my teenage son loves to do ... and loves to do even with his parents (kayaking together). sigh. i am grateful for summer ... and having a few weeks off to enjoy with family before hitting the books hard again in Sept. i am grateful for my garden ... it gives me a sense of joy and pride in such a simple way. and right now: i am grateful for a relaxing rainy cool morning with coffee (we needed the rain) and TLP.

 

[littlekiwi]

I'm grateful for having a great doctor who could see me this week to diagnose me & prescribe me the right drugs to get well

I'm grateful for understanding lecturers who acknowledge the fact I'll be back as soon as I am able

I am grateful for assignment extensions being granted

I'm grateful for classmates stepping up and taking notes for me