Friday, November 5, 2010

Giving Thanks Challenge


I have so much to be thankful for, but my life has certainly had its share of sadness and difficult times.  However, when I look at the big picture, the wonderful things, have way outweighed the bad. I know that I said no more new challenges in 2010, BUT this one does not involve reading books. 

The challenge just involves some introspective reflection, and what a perfect time of year, to reflect on the year, and on our life in general. Leah from South Breeze Farm is hosting this challenge, but I actually learned of this one from Hello, My Name is Alice.

The challenge is simple.....(30) days in November, (30) reasons to feel thankful -- (1) each day of the month. If you decide to join, a few days into the month like me, just catch up.

November Thankful List
  1. I'm thankful for everyday new day. (Life is just so short and unpredictable).
  2. I'm thankful for good health.  (I lost one brother to heart disease and the other one to cancer. My mother died of cancer as well)
  3. I am thankful that I was blessed with (2) healthy babies. (Both are now healthy adults who make me incredibly proud)
  4. I am thankful for my loving husband. (3 times is a charm; he adores me and I feel totally loved)
  5. I am thankful to have a job that I like. (bibliophile and library job makes for a good fit)
  6. I am thankful for a nice home in a safe area.
  7. I am thankful for our pets. (being able to give a nice home, and food to (4) cats that could have remained homeless, makes my heart glad.)
  8. I am thankful for having more than enough food. (it's a good feeling to give extra to the less fortunate at this time of year) 
  9. I am thankful for my freedom. (Thanks to all the brave men and women who risk their lives to keep us safe) 
  10. I am thankful for the change of seasons. (looking forward to the first snowstorm.....weekend preferred)
  11. I am thankful to America's Veterans. 
  12. I am thankful for free access to some wonderful public libraries.
  13. I am thankful for technology advancements (when I was 10 year's old, a transistor radio and a calculator were huge --now, I think, how would I live without my computer and iPhone --what's next?) 
  14. I am thankful for 60 degree weather in New England in November (this weekend was gorgeous)
  15. I'm thankful for hot baths and fine wine.
  16. I am thankful I have had a chance to visit (27) states, and (6) countries
  17. I am thankful for my sense of humor. (it's helped so much in work and rough times)
  18. I am thankful for having more than enough.
  19. I am thankful for a warm fire on a cold night.
  20. I am thankful that our cat Buddy's vet visit today cost us $250, instead of $1,100 like last year.
  21. I am thankful for individuals who help with animal rescue. 
  22. I am thankful for having an introspective nature.
  23. I am thankful for living my life without any regrets.
  24. I am thankful to have lost another 1.5 lbs this week (14 lbs in 9 weeks). 
  25. On this Thanksgiving Day, I am thankful for family, friends and you.
  26. I am thankful for (3) more days off from work. 
  27. I am thankful for being here today to celebrate my son's 33rd birthday. 
  28. I am thankful for not having any stress in my life recently.
  29. I am thankful for having all the desserts gone from our house. 
  30. I am thankful for wildlife (critters big and small).

23 comments:

  1. This is a wonderful list! We have the same thing to be thankful for on Day 5. :D

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you for telling me that I am such a creative blogger....the inspiration comes from several years of teaching elementary students up to college-preparatory and a little bit of silliness! I also owe my creative mind to my 3 furkids, of course!
    Now, I may be creative but I don't "get" things right away such as this Giving Thanks Challenge....I love the idea but please tell me if I am supposed to add to your list or start a list on my own and then post all 30 things I'm thankful for at the end of the month....Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sounds like you have a lot to be thankful for :-) I'm thankful everyday for my health, my husband and my library career, too :-)

    ReplyDelete
  4. If I decide to join this one, I'll be able say that I'm thankful for people like you, Diane, who often inspire, motivate & charm me!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love this challenge! It's nice to be reminded of how lucky we are from time to time.

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a great idea for a challenge. I am thankful that I can say the same things.

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a lovely thing to do - my nana always used to say we should count our blessings one by one.

    ReplyDelete
  8. This sounds like a good exercise...I also call it having "an attitude of gratitude."

    Certainly this is a perfect month to reflect on the wonderful blessings in our lives.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I am thankful for so many things I think I would need a longer month!

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a wonderful idea and list! I am thankful for much as well.

    ReplyDelete
  11. What a wonderful challenge and a great list you've got there!

    ReplyDelete
  12. How lovely! I would agree to giving thanks to all that you have.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I love this challenge and the opportunity for all of us to remember all of the things we have to be thankful for.

    ReplyDelete
  14. So far, all priceless, amazing blessings to have in your life, Diane.

    ReplyDelete
  15. What a wonderful and positive challenge. I love it!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Such a wonderful list of things to be thankful for. "Life is unpredictable" is sure true!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Great list and post.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Diane, your November Thankful list is a good one! Enjoy the month!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Great list! I'm thankful for everything I have right now!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I'm glad you stopped by Ruthi Reads! and now, though it's late, I'll be working on my Giving Thanks Challenge post. I'll return with the link for you when it's up and running.

    Thank you blessings & a bit o' sunshine!
    http://abitosunshine.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. Letting you know I've taken the Giving Thanks Challenge:
    http://abitosunshine.blogspot.com/2010/11/giving-thanks-challenge.html

    ReplyDelete
  22. Thanks so much for following my blog. I am now following yours. I love the idea of the "Giving Thanks Challenge". I wish I would have known about it sooner! One thing I am thankful for is the amazing people I meet through my blog. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Just wanted to hop over and thank you for taking part in the Giving Thanks challenge this month. Looks like you have a great list going - which proves you are blessed! =)

    - Leah

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for taking the time to visit and double thanks for any comments. If you ask a question in your comments, I will try to reply to it here, or by email if your settings allow me to do so. Thanks again for visiting.