"You can become everything God had in mind when he created you. There's no limit to your full potential once you recognize and put into practice the secret to a joy-filled life. Despite your past and regardless of your current circumstances, your future can succeed even your wildest expectations. There is only one catch: You must learn to think like God thinks."
Of course Philippians 4:8 is the one that states:
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
One of the principles that this little book talks about is developing an attitude of gratitude...of thankfulness...and joy. I've decided that I'm going to jump in with both feet on that to be more thankful of the things around me. I'm challenging myself to find 5 different things to be thankful about each day for the entire month....yes, that really will be 140 things! It should be easy, right? The book pointed out some very thought-provoking things. Something that really struck me was the list of things we had to be happy about. That list pointed out the fact that we focus on all the parts of our body that aren't working...all the aches and pains. We should instead be thankful for so many more parts that are still working. O.K., so here's my list for today, February 1.
1. I'm thankful for spontaneity. There was a free day at our local children's museum. So we packed up the kids and headed out to spend a fun evening together. The kids really had a wonderful time, and it was great to watch them learn through play. (I'm hoping to purchase a season pass for our family in the future.)
2. I'm thankful for great books and literature. I could read all day, if given the chance. I just LOVE to read! (I know...that's the teacher in me talking!) I have several books going right now. Of course I'm anxious to start The 4:8 Principle I'm also reading a book called, Writing Motherhood. It is a book that I am enjoying very much all about writing your story as a mother. I'm planning to start this very soon. It's the kind of project that will be ongoing throughout the years. I'm also reading Peter and the Starcatchers. I just LOVE this exciting adventure tale of Peter...before he became Peter Pan. It's the first book in a series of four. It was recommended to me by a student who is reading it in my classroom. I've actually been listening to it on CD to and from work each day. I LOVE that Baby Girl also loves to read. Some days she literally spends all day going from one book to the next. (And she is already saying...without prompting...that she wants to be a teacher. We'll see!)
3. I'm thankful for journals. I have so many journals from childhood. Journals of my stories, of my poetry, of my daily life, prayer journals, and now two very special ones that I started before each of my children were born. I use them to document little stories from their lives. These are stories that will be lost if I don't write them. I know I could not EVER remember them all. So when something ordinary or extraordinary happens, I write it down so I won't forget. Someday...a long time from now...I will pass these on as gifts to my children.
4. I am thankful for my job.To work with so many amazing people is a dream come true. I am loving my new job and I can say without a doubt that this was the right move for our family. I am working with top-notch teachers that challenge me to be better. And that is a good thing.
5. I'm thankful for our beautiful weather today. Despite the crazy cold up north, we were basking in perfect mid-seventy temperatures. It was so perfect. I was soaking up every minute I could of being outside.
I am so blessed.
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