I’m breaking my self-imposed blogging hiatus this week to announce my November: Thirty Days of Gratitude Project. I did this last year on Facebook; this year, it’s moving to the blog.
What is it? Well, I started it because I was annoyed by the Christmas advertising and store displays that appeared before Halloween. I think that such promotions encourage us to think past November to Christmas and gift-giving, and we overlook or give short shrift to Thanksgiving.
I have always loved Thanksgiving. When I was a kid, we always had two Thanksgiving dinners: one the night before Thanksgiving at my great aunt and great uncle’s house (my great aunt was like a grandmother to me) with the big family crowd, and then one with my mom, brother, aunt, uncle, and two cousins. The food was amazing, and we always laughed a lot.
In addition, Thanksgiving is a time to express gratitude for the wonderful lives we have. Even when facing adversity, there is comfort in being with family and friends. I try to always express gratitude for the blessings in my life, but Thanksgiving is a day specifically set aside for just that.
So, upon being inundated with Christmas stuff before Halloween, I thought: what if I didn’t succumb to the Christmas promotions yet? What if we took a breath after Halloween and focused on being thankful for a whole month? I was encouraged when I saw this ad:
And, with that, the Thirty Days of Gratitude Project began.
Please join me, starting on November 1. Each day, I will talk about something I am thankful for – small or large, silly or serious. In fact, you can grab a button to show you are participating, too:
A "recovering lawyer," I turned in my power suits for power tools and a life of DIY. I believe in merging old and new to make a house a home.
A great reason to break your blogging hiatus! I’m in! Not sure if I’ll use Facebook or the blog yet, but what a fantastic idea… love it!
I’m in too!
Count me in. I think this is great! Either on facebook or my blog, I’ll find something to be thankful for each day of November. ~ Angie
I am in!!! This is so great! 🙂
Love it! I’m in!
I try to thank the Big Man each day for at least one thing I am grateful for. I love this idea and I will be participating too!
Jenny
love it! I’m in
Great idea, I’m in too.
here here!!! I’m with you. I love Thanksgiving…always have…first it’s about my Mom (now 89 years young) who makes the best stuffing in the world and would make my mouth water just thinking about it in October. But first and foremost, i love Thanksgiving because it’s all about family, getting together, the groaning board laden with everyone’s best dishes, no expectation but enjoyment of the day. I am joining along and will post the button to my sidebar. I don’t blog every day but will add each blessing to each post. I am over from Storywood Designs blog. Nice to meet you. 🙂
Great, Lynn! Welcome! I’m so glad you are joining us. It’s very nice to meet you, too. I’ll check out your blog – can’t wait to read about what you’re grateful for.