This has been a horrific week in our world, full of violence and heartbreak and loss of life. At times like this I often struggle with expressing gratitude – not because I’m not grateful (quite the opposite, in fact), but because my trivial little lists seem so meaningless in the face of such tragedy. Still, I believe in this practice, no matter what. Peace begins in my heart.

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!
- Celebrating 16 years of marriage with Peter.
- Receiving sweet and generous anniversary gifts and wishes from family.
- Our vibrant, up-and-coming, and constantly evolving neighbourhood – streetscape improvements, community activities, buildings being purchased and restored, new businesses opening, established businesses thriving – the list goes on and on. So glad and grateful we chose this part of town when we moved to Windsor.
- The opportunity to be a part of a drawing class and learn new skills.
- Sharing fun social times with friends.
- Having a three-day weekend every week.
- Continued transparency and hopeful news from our Canadian government, this week in the form of ministerial mandate letters released to the public.
- Acts of kindness and compassion in the midst of turmoil.
- Love.
Now it’s your turn!
How to get involved in the Gratitude Linkup
Note: This linkup will be open for the entire month, so feel free to add as many gratitude posts as you choose to write in November!
- Write and post a gratitude list in your own blog.
- Click the “add your link” button below and share your gratitude post.
- Click “get the InLinkz code” below and add the linkup code to your post.
- Visit and comment on some of the posts listed in the Gratitude Linkup.
P.S. – Here’s some background on why I started the Gratitude Linkup.

Twitter: vinithadileep
November 15, 2015
I agree, no matter how terrible the world appears, there always will be something to be grateful for. And if everyone start to spend 5 minutes to list what they are grateful for then I am sure the whole world would be at peace now!
Vinitha recently posted… Diary of a broken heart!
Twitter: alphabetsalad
November 16, 2015
Very true indeed! I do wish they would.
Laurel Regan recently posted… Today’s Gratitude List + November 2015 Gratitude Linkup
Gratitude starts in the heart and at home. These tragedies makes me stop, reflect and be thankful for the little things!
Cyndi recently posted… Your Thanksgiving Table – The Centerpiece
Twitter: alphabetsalad
November 16, 2015
Very true!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Today’s Gratitude List + November 2015 Gratitude Linkup
I like this practice. I’ve decided I will do a gratitude post!
Tam Warner Minton recently posted… Fab Photos Friday: Fishy Friends in Cozumel
Twitter: alphabetsalad
November 16, 2015
Wonderful! I hope you’ll consider sharing it on the linkup. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Today’s Gratitude List + November 2015 Gratitude Linkup
Twitter: awellstyledlife
November 15, 2015
Counting my blessings and keeping a gratitude journal had gotten me through some pretty tough times.
Jennifer recently posted… How to Hit Your Style Sweet Spot: Book Club
Twitter: alphabetsalad
November 16, 2015
That’s excellent, Jennifer. It certainly does make a difference.
Laurel Regan recently posted… Today’s Gratitude List + November 2015 Gratitude Linkup
Twitter: ajaybpai123
November 15, 2015
Well said. Wishing a happy anniversary to You and Peter. With all the turmoil, the acts of kindness which shines through is the only ray of hope the entire humanity has at the moment. However, I wonder, if these acts of kindness are sufficient to keep each one of us alive.
Ajay Pai recently posted… The Blue, White and Red – I am safe
Twitter: alphabetsalad
November 16, 2015
Thank you! I have to believe that the good will overpower the bad.
Laurel Regan recently posted… Today’s Gratitude List + November 2015 Gratitude Linkup
Twitter: writercat
November 15, 2015
So much tragedy and sadness in the world lately. Hard to comprehend and we wonder where it’s all leading. In the meantime, I am so grateful for my little life here in my little corner of the world. I am so grateful to live in peaceful Canada and hope it always stays that way. I liked reading your list and am glad you had a good week. Hope next week will be a good one for us all.
Twitter: alphabetsalad
November 16, 2015
I hope so too, Cat. We are fortunate indeed to live in Canada.
Laurel Regan recently posted… Today’s Gratitude List + November 2015 Gratitude Linkup
Twitter: peppylady
November 15, 2015
Able to laugh with friends.
Coffee is on
peppylady (Dora) recently posted… Oh Well. I Can’t Say I Care
Twitter: alphabetsalad
November 16, 2015
Definitely something to be thankful for!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Today’s Gratitude List + November 2015 Gratitude Linkup
Twitter: shilpaagarg
November 15, 2015
Such senseless killings around the world… truly tragic and sad. But all these make us all the more thankful for the blessings in our life! Congratulations on your anniversary and wishing you many many more! And your new PM is like a breath of fresh air. have been reading such good things about him. More power to him!
Shilpa Garg recently posted… He is #madeofgreat
Twitter: alphabetsalad
November 16, 2015
Thank you! And I hope our PM and his cabinet continue to do good things for our country.
Laurel Regan recently posted… Today’s Gratitude List + November 2015 Gratitude Linkup
Twitter: parul2411
November 16, 2015
I feel what you are saying. But at the same time, we need to grateful for things at out end.
Lovely list! Congrats again on 16 years of love 🙂 Sounds so fabulous!
Parul recently posted… Lensational – Empowering women through creativity
Twitter: alphabetsalad
November 16, 2015
Thank you very much!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Today’s Gratitude List + November 2015 Gratitude Linkup
another great list Laurel – and congrats on your anniversary. Wishing you many, many more to come x
Leanne recently posted… do I have the right to write?
Twitter: alphabetsalad
November 16, 2015
Thank you so much!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Today’s Gratitude List + November 2015 Gratitude Linkup
Happy Anniversary 😀 I am celebrating my 3rd anniversary today 🙂
The stories of acts of kindness that I read in last few days are so touching. Makes me believe in humanity again.
rajlashmi recently posted… The Husband Histrionics – II
Twitter: alphabetsalad
November 16, 2015
Thank you, and Happy Anniversary to you!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Today’s Gratitude List + November 2015 Gratitude Linkup
Hi Laurel !
Congratulations for your 16th year anniversary, wish you all the love, joy and peace in your life !! glad to read your post, thanks for this uplifting post, amidst heartbreak, loss and violence… I appreciate you for sharing 🙂
G Angela recently posted… My Gratitude List – November 17, 2015
Twitter: alphabetsalad
November 19, 2015
Thank you so much! 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo A Day Challenge – November 1-18, 2015
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