“Gratitude bestows reverence, allows us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world.” – Sarah Ban Breathnach
This quote opens up the third chapter of One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. I started re-reading this book in November to prepare my heart for Thanksgiving. Ann describes the the moment a friend challenged her to write a list of a thousand things she loves, to name one thousand blessings – one thousand gifts. And so she began The List.
The chapter is stunning, inspirational. I remember reading it years ago for the first time, letting her words enter my thoughts for a day and moving on to Chapter 4.
But my heart won’t let me move away from it in this season. I have not wanted to leave this chapter for weeks, just taking in words and moving on like I did before. This time I wanted to do the work.
The Work of Naming Gifts
What if I took the time to name the goodness of everyday moments, the gifts that I see around me and in the community I lived in?
What if an entire community did this — practiced the naming of gifts, of seeking of what is good, what is pure, what is lovely and admirable — and wrote, spoke, and shared those things? We could create a murmur of thanksgiving, of joy and light and love, fully living wherever where we are at. The hope of it puts a smile on my face.
Developing habits takes real work though. And it sounds flowery even to me. To write down little gifts, even the one I experienced this morning, the quiet moment of putting my favorite lotion on my legs after a hot shower, well, it seems… unimportant, petty, childish even.
But seeing gifts, forcing yourself to slow down and be thankful for it all – to be present in a moment in order to see the present, the gift, in front of you – well that is the resolve of a strong mind. Nothing weak, childish or petty about it.
The Narrative of Joy
The naming of everyday gifts is really a choice to rewrite a narrative of joy, instead of discontent, in our lives.
We know self-talk and thoughts can take us in so many directions if we let them. Thoughts can leave us bitter, unhappy, anxious. Perhaps our default is self-critical or others-critical. Perhaps our default is to chime in, adding only to the “bad” instead of speaking life and hope. Sometimes our default is silence, adding to nothing. Taking those wild thoughts captive, holding it under the light of love and hope, is work towards writing a new narrative, a narrative of joy and peace, recognizing what is good.
I’m inspired after listening to one of my favorite podcasts, The Next Right Thing, episode titled Naming the Narrative. She shares a story in the beginning about this very thing. Yes, this is exactly what we are doing. Writing a narrative of joy.
A List of December Gifts
So this December 1, I will name the Gifts, one gift for each day in the month of December. Will you join me? Follow I Heart Warrenton on Instagram or Facebook, as I share what I see when looking through the lens of gratitude. I invite you to share what you see too – hashtag it #IHeartWarrenton #DecemberGifts #1000Gifts
May our December be a month of true joy that comes from a heart of thankfulness.
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