Now that I’m back from vacation and slowly (albeit rather reluctantly!) easing my way back into a normal routine, I’m delighted to restart a weekly tradition that has fast become an important and meaningful part of my blogging life – the Gratitude Linkup.
Taking these few minutes each week to verbalize gratitude for my many blessings, and then inviting you to do the same, has come to mean so much to me… because not only am I reminded of the good things in my own world, but also my life is enriched by reading about the good things in yours!
(If you’d like a bit of background on why I started the Gratitude Linkup, check out this post.)
How to get involved in the Gratitude Linkup
- Write and post an entry in your own blog containing your gratitude list for a moment in time.
- Share the URL to your gratitude blog post by clicking the “add your link” button at the end of this post and filling out the information.
- Share the Gratitude Linkup with your blog readers by clicking the “get the InLinkz code” link at the end of this post and copy/pasting the appropriate code into your gratitude blog post.
- Visit some of the blogs listed in the Gratitude Linkup and comment on their posts.
My Gratitude List
In no particular order, here is my own gratitude list for this moment in time. I hope that after reading it you’ll go on to write and share your own!
- My amazing hairstylist who gives me a cut that inspires me to say enthusiastically, pretty much every time I finish styling it, “I LOVE this haircut!”
- Safety on slippery roads.
- Cosy handmade knitted slippers – a gift from a lovely friend – to warm my feet on cold winter days.
- The fun and festivities I regularly enjoy with my dinner club friends.
- Between Christmas and New Year office closures, weekends, regular days off, and banked holiday time, being able to enjoy 17 days of vacation – time to travel, relax, enjoy, stay up late, sleep in, catch up, and just BE.
- Excellent Groupon deals that come along at just the right time.
- Safe and uneventful travel – by cars, shuttles, trains, airplanes, buses, and ferries – between Windsor and Victoria. No incidents or accidents, no significant delays or missed connections, and no lost or misrouted luggage!
- Meeting and chatting with two interesting, pleasant, and informative single serving friends on two different flights.
- Spending Christmas, and a fantastic (though far too short) week, with my family in Victoria.
- My parents, who went all out to make sure we were comfortable, happy, well-fed, memory-filled, and loved during our time in their home.
- My sister, who gifted and drove and hugged and created and gave of her lovely self.
- Revisiting treasured family Christmas traditions.
- My new Olloclip 3-in-1 lens and quick-flip case – gifts from my parents – which will help me take my iPhone photography to the next level.
- Being the overjoyed recipient of three brand new pieces of gorgeous handmade-by-my-sister jewellery – a bracelet, a necklace, and a pendant.
- Reconnecting, laughing, and spending time with old friends who we’ve missed since we moved away from Victoria.
- Eating West Coast sushi again!
- Visiting my favourite restaurant in Victoria (and quite possibly the world) – Pagliacci’s – for a delicious lunch.
- My new Filofax, and all the fun I’m having putting it together and organizing my life.
- Celebrating my 47th birthday.
- A Kiva gift certificate from a friend, so I can share my birthday celebration with someone else!
- Being completely spoiled by my friends at my birthday dinner.
- The volumes and volumes of love, kindness, gifts, and appreciation I receive from those in my life, well beyond anything I deserve or merit.
{ 14 comments… add one }
Twitter: alethamcmanama
January 5, 2014
Laurel, I have to say what is at the top of my gratitude list every day is I get to take another breath when I wake up each morning. There are, of course, even smaller things that make me happy, but that’s the one that allows me to just BE, as you said. Thanks for a wonderful post. I may not be able to participate in the Gratitude Linkup, but I do know you’ve inspired me with your gratitude list above.
Aletha McManama recently posted… This Is My Ideal Client
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 5, 2014
Great perspective – thank you for sharing, and for your kind words.
Wonderful list! You are blessed.
Patricia recently posted… Age doesn’t matter…
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 5, 2014
I really am.
Laurel Regan recently posted… Mindful Writing Challenge January 2014: Small Stones 1-4
Laurel, what a lovely thing to do! I’ll have to join the link up sometime soon. I’m very grateful for all the friends I’ve met blogging in the past year, including you!
Connie McLeod recently posted… Bless Your Heart: An Epilogue
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 5, 2014
Thank you, Connie – meeting you at BlogHer this year was such fun!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Mindful Writing Challenge January 2014: Small Stones 1-4
A lovely list. It made me smile! ♥
Kathy recently posted… Expectation Haiku
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 5, 2014
Thank you! I’m glad!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Mindful Writing Challenge January 2014: Small Stones 1-4
Thanks for the reminder! I use to keep a gratitude journal, and then I was blogging about things I was grateful for, but then due to stress and some complications I have been forgetting to be grateful….you have inspired tomorrow’s blog!
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 6, 2014
You are most welcome!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Mindful Writing Challenge January 2014: Small Stones 1-4
What a long and wonderful list! I have to say right now that I’m grateful for the uplifting and inspiring posts you share with us on this blog.
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 6, 2014
Thank you so much for your kind words, Elaine!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Mindful Writing Challenge January 2014: Small Stones 1-4
Laura, your list inspires me to look deeper than I did this go ’round. Having a bit of a rough week, so doing my list for next week will definitely be refreshing!
So glad your travels and time spent with family and friends went well and there were so many good moments
Life Breath Present recently posted… The Dawn of Christmas – Book Review
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 9, 2014
So sorry you’re having a rough week – here’s hoping things improve quickly. Good thoughts headed your way!
Laurel Regan recently posted… In Praise of Blank Books
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