On August 20, a high school friend of mine nominated me for the "5 Days of Gratefulness Challenge" on Facebook. Now, being one to never back down from a challenge, I gladly accepted.
The TASK: For 5 days, on each day, I had to post three specific things that I was thankful for. It could be big, small, something tangible or a specific circumstance - as long as I was grateful for their existence in my life. After each post, I had to nominate other people to do the same thing, eventually causing a huge chain reaction of gratefulness across the masses of social media.
Here's the gratefulness that poured out from my 5 days:
Day One:
#1 - I am thankful for my husband, Alain. Though it pains me that he's travelling more on business, I know that he sacrifices his time and unceasingly works himself to the core simply because he loves his family to no end, and wants to make sure that we live a good life. I have never met a man more hard-working and dedicated than him, and I am blessed to call him my husband and the loving father of our daughter.
#2 - I am thankful for our little Sophia. Even at 3, I am amazed at how she sees the world with such an immense sense of wonder, curiosity, imagination, and creativity that she continuously shows me every single moment that I'm with her. And to think, I have the privilege of loving her more and more each day as her mommy.
#3 - I am thankful for girlfriends - especially the kind that you could never live without, whose friendships have stood the test the time and/or distance and still remain as strong as ever. Thank you for being with me to laugh, cry, pray, and of course, to help me maintain some (in)sanity when opportunity presents itself.
Day Two:
#1 - It's a rare luxury, but I was able to sleep in past 8am today, and it made all the difference in my world. Especially knowing that I have one week before it's back in the classroom, it was nice to have a bit more rest and recharge this morning.
#2 - Gentle summer breezes - they always seem to come at the right place at the right time. And when you least expect it, it feels like God's giving you a subtle nudge saying, "Hi... It's Me."
#3 - My hubby JUST landed and we're about to go pick him up at the airport! WOOT! Even with a delayed flight and later pick-up time, I'm just thankful he's safe and sound on Canadian soil again, and hopefully staying put for at least another week or two
Day Three
#1 - Thankful for the days that I don't have it all together... because they help me appreciate the days when I do have it all together a whole lot more.
#2 - Having time to eat dinner together as a family. With work, school, play, and all "busy-ness" in between, it's lovely to have some time to turn all devices off, pause, reflect, and communicate with loved ones at the dinner table.
#3 - My parents and aunts who are always there for me and my family. Whether I'm in dire need for some good, home-made Filipino food, or in need of a last-minute babysitter, I am thankful and blessed that they're not too far away, and willing to lend a hand.
Day Four
#1 - I'm thankful for days with no schedules, no plans. Sometimes a day spent in PJs can be a beautiful thing.
#2 - Doing 4 loads of laundry today. This means that my family has clean clothes and sheets for the next week and onwards, and as an added bonus, they smell mountain fresh. Far too often do we overlook and take advantage of our everyday luxuries and the simple pleasures in life.
#3 - Spontaneous family movie nights with Alain's famous chips and dip. Tonight was a double feature of "Mulan" and "Back to the Future" - you just can't go wrong with that.
Day Five
#1 - I am thankful for my church family at HFBC, and with it, the freedom to worship, praise, fellowship, and pray without feeling judged or scorned for my faith in God.
#2 - For the gift of (good) music and the ability to read it. Doesn't matter if I'm playing the piano or belting a tune out to my heart's content (especially when no one is looking), so much joy can come out of a simple melody.
#3 - For times of solitude and inner reflection. Finding peace of mind is becoming more and more a rarity in this busy world we live in. When I'm able to sit in the quiet, whether it's to pray, reflect, read, or just be still and let everything just fade into the background, these moments are just golden.
#4 - (Go big or go home, right?) I am thankful for my job. With one week left of summer, I'm getting pumped to see how the new school year will unfold and anticipate the good and the "challenging" I'm going to encounter. Teaching is a profession that is certainly worthwhile, and yet one of the most humbling professions as well. I'm grateful that at the end of each day, regardless of whether it was brilliant or just full of trials and tribulations, I can still say that I love doing what I do.
#5 - This gratitude challenge has been quite the positive and thought-provoking experience. It has allowed me to be more mindful of the things (big and small) I should be thankful for and complain less (in general) - because really, every circumstance is a blessing whether we choose to see it that way or not. There is a season for everything, and even the most humbling of challenges can be a positive experience.
It was amazing to see how many people responded from the challenge, and even more how much positivity exuded from this whole experience. Initially when I accepted to do the challenge, I got a lot more than I bargained for - a more humbled perspective on seeing the world, and a new desire to appreciate more and complain less. And just think, if this could all come out of how only one person sees blessing and gratefulness in just 5 days, imagine what could unfold if everyone did the same?
So, if you're reading this, what are you waiting for? Go out there and get your THANKS on!
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