Last November I participated in the 30 Days of Thanks from my blog. It was a great opportunity for me to publicly express gratitude each day for all the wonderful blessings in my life. This year I continue expressing gratitude, and thought I would share some things that I do that might be interesting to know.

1. The ABC Game: Sometimes I get down in the dumps about what is going on around me. It might be a disagreement with someone, or just feeling sorry for myself. Often this comes upon me in the middle of the night when things really seem so much worse. (That’s not just me, is it?) Here is what I do- turn it all around and think of the positive things in that situation and play “The ABC Game.” I take whatever the scenario is. Let’s say I have less than happy thoughts about someone. I give serious consideration to the wonderful qualities in that person and run through the alphabet naming a quality that person has that begins with each letter. “She is adorable, beautiful, clever, dear, ebullient, friendly, gracious, happy…” and you get the picture. Sometimes I have to go through the alphabet a time or two. Or three. But by the end of the exercise I am content and feeling good about the person or situation.
2. Gratitude Journal: At night before bed, crawl up in bed with a pretty journal book and nice pen and just start writing what you are grateful for that day. Even if all you seem to be grateful for is that it rained that day and you didn’t have to water. Once you start writing you will find that you really have a lot of things to be grateful for. I did this for a couple of months and it made me sleep better, because by the time I was through with the exercise, I was feeling positive and full of, well, gratitude! Try to write 3 things each night. (Of course you know what happens next…more good starts to come into your life. It always does.)
3. Do something unexpected for someone: In today’s world we are busy and often don’t take the time to really connect. One of the key motivators in my life is spending time with family and friends, so I take time to do so. It might be a phone call to someone I haven’t talked to in a while. It may be a card or letter. Over and over I hear people say how much they appreciate me making the effort to stay in touch. And I know when someone calls me up or sends me an email out of the blue how wonderful it makes me feel. So, take some time to spend time with those you love. Maybe throw a little party for your friends that you LOVE being around. I’m talking open the chips, store bought dip, and something to drink. Tell each of them how much you enjoy their company and what you love most about them. It doesn’t matter if they don’t know each other. After going around the room, each person will see these new friends as the fabulous people that you see.

Go on now. Express some gratitude!

Working from home is great. I’ve been doing it for 15 years. It gave me the wonderful opportunity to spend more time with my kids when they were growing up. My husband has worked from home for 20 years, so we have learned a very different life style than many couples. He’s the perfect work at home type. He gets up early and starts making calls and doing his paperwork, emails, etc. He does everything he needs to do in a very short time and then starts making calls if he is hitting the road. He makes great use of his time.

On the other hand, my day doesn’t go anything like that. I ease into my work day after breakfast, working out, Bible study and maybe some chores. I’m using a new Power Hour technique that seems to be going well. (As wife and mother it’s hard to not look around and be distracted by all the stuff that needs doing around the house.) So, I use my little timer set for 50 minutes and get to work fast on client work. As soon as the timer goes off I take a 10 minute break to walk in the yard and pull a weed or two, maybe knit a couple rows on my current project, or flip through a magazine. At the end of 10 minutes I go back to work again for another 50 minutes. I find that I am getting more done in a shorter time frame. Maybe it’s because I know I will get “me” time filled with activities that bring me joy. I do NOT use those 10 minutes to do chores, check email, or make phone calls. Only things that I consider fun. Now, if you consider chores fun, then by all means scrub a toilet or throw in some laundry!

One more thing that I started is my Gratitude Journal. Each night right before bed I take out a pretty journal book and nice pen and write a few sentences about what I am grateful for. It has really opened up my awareness and I am seeing the fruitage of this lovely new activity. During the day I find myself looking for good things and seeing how I can express gratitude for so much more happening, whether in my life, or the lives of others. You should try it!

What new things have you started lately that you want to share?

Today as I sit at my desk looking out the window at a completely blue sky, I am so grateful to work from home.  For almost 15 years it has provided me with so much freedom during my day. My children have grown up and gone, living in an environment where both parents worked from home. Often my husband or I can be found sitting in the garden in the backyard while talking on the phone. Or we can enjoy leftovers for lunch while watching a little TV in the den.

Being a business owner and working from home is just the best! I’m so thankful that my husband and I get to be around each other so much, even if he IS in the other room, talking loudly on the speaker phone.