Gratitude Photo Journal Challenge

I have over the years enjoyed a photo challenge on Facebook or Blogger, a way to motivate me to take more pictures of every day life, to remember, to appreciate, to document. I just did one in August, and a few weeks in I was challenged by a friend to take a photo everyday for a month where the photos weren't just a check mark on a list but there was a reason for them, photos that could uplift me and maybe others, and so the Gratitude Photo Challenge was created.

It is not joy that makes us grateful. It is gratitude that makes us joyful. -David Rast
I truly believe that. It has been proven true for me in 2013.

I do already keep a daily, one sentence, gratitude journal but I thought this was a great project for a month, because I am a very visual person, visual reminders of my gratitude would be very impactful. Also, I write in my journal at the end of my day, to end on a positive note before I go to bed....which is great, but with this new challenge I find myself starting out my day actively looking for something to be grateful for so that I can be sure to photograph it! It is only day one and already my outlook at the beginning of each morning is transforming.  I am so looking forward to this for the month of September!

I'd love it if anyone else interested joined us! Regardless, feel free to follow my Gratitude Photo Journal Challenge here.

Birthday Blessings

What a pour out of blessings this last week, I will try to remember them all!

A friend who would rather send bday greeting early than chance not sending them by my day.

A coincidental gift of wild flowers from the farmers market.

A purposefully early bouquet of carnations.

A husband who noted things that have made me really excited lately.

A new journal! :D

A thoughtful gift, an attempt to give me a rainbow.

Another coincidental gift, a freebie from Home Run for my help bringing it to Winnipeg.

A cake, my favorite flavor, made just for me.

A phone call from mom and dad (card and gift in the mail!)

A phone call from nieces singing me happy birthday.

Another gift of flowers.

A poem, but also the gift of how someone sees me.

Many greetings throughout the day, but not just simple 'happy birthdays', genuine words of appreciation for my existence.

Birthday money spent on Etsy! Yay for jewelry!

Belated birthday greetings from people far away.

A reminder that God rejoices in this day He made, that He anticipated the day I would come into existence eagerly, and that He delights in me.

A very good birthday.

Thankful Thursday

It is days like these I am thankful for:

My sister's successful surgery this morning.

Medical advancements.

Living in a country with some of best medical advancements.

The percent of risk was in our favor.

People who pray when you ask.

Living in a country you can ask for prayer on a public social media site.


My family.

My own health.

Thank You Notes

Dear Tami,
Thank you for sharing my birthday weekend with me! It really does make birthdays that much more special, knowing that whether we are together or apart during those days, having this bond of celebration with a wonderful sister like you.  Happy Birthday, and see you tomorrow!

With much gratitude, love and affection,

Lori

Thank You Notes

Dear staff at Boston Pizza,
Thank you so much for completely ignoring us when we took my MIL out for her birthday dinner. Not even taking a drink order in the first 10 minutes, when the restaurant was only half full, made just the loveliest impression on us. I'm so glad you cared as much for us as we did for you, and decided that not acknowledging us as we left was better than a sad farewell.  Not even airmiles could make that worth it.

Sincerely,
Never coming back.

Thank you Notes

Dear God,
Thank you for staying true to your word, that you don't give us more than we can handle.  I was coping but didn't know how much more of this I could handle, as you well know. It isn't going to be easy just because they are no longer around, but it isn't going to be as hard as it was, or as bad as it was going to get.
You have my utmost gratitude.

Luv Lori

Thank you Notes

Thank you High Gas Prices,
Thank you for making me much more conscious of my RPMs so that I am not wasting the liquid gold in my gas tank, and therefore in turn creating a much more relaxed drive.  I didn't realize the correlation between road rage and RPMs before this so I am grateful that lining the oil companies pockets with my money hasn't been a total waste, there IS some cost-benefit for me!

With the appreciation of a-car-crash-victim-who's-injuries-helped-discover-a-cancerous-tumor-because-of-the-accident,
Lori

Thank You Notes

Dear Jodi,
Thank you for having a birthday in February, in the middle of the gigantic chasim of family oriented holidays in our calendar year, which otherwise might result in a 3-4 month hiatus from gathering together. That would just not do.  I need to get my darling fix.
And how appropriate it's near Valentine's Day, because it reminds me how much I love having you for a sister! Happy Birthday, and see you tomorrow!

With much gratitude, love and affection,
Lori

Thank You Notes

Dear 2011,
I know it is still really early in our relationship but I am really taking a shine to you! You have already produced many things I am in favor of; less stressful work, needed but unexpected apologies, a balanced approach to being vs. growing, 4 workouts (the first since August!), some really great 'light bulb' moments, and general feelings of rejuvenation. 
There is the small matter of the nose bleeds however, they are very much unappreciated, but that is probably something I should take up with your team member January, not you.
Keep up the good work!

Much Appreciation,
Lori

Comfort & Joy

Here is a glimpse of the things that brought me comfort and joy this 2010 holiday season.

Thank You Notes

Dear First Day Back At Work (yesterday),
Wow, you were so NOT as horrible as I thought you would be.  Despite coming back after 10.5 days of not checking emails, and coming back to month end due TODAY, you were not nearly as stressful as most days leading up to my holidays.  And it doesn't hurt that you happen to include a few people who kinda like me and already made me feel like the office's resident super girl in the first few hours of the new work year.

Thanks!

Much love,
Lori