A few Novembers back, some people I know took the 30-day Gratitude Challenge, that is they named one thing they were thankful for every day through the thirty days of the month.
It’s a cool idea. The thing about these kinds of events is that it makes you dig below the surface and recognize things you weren’t even consciously aware of about yourself.
An exercise I call “99 Things I Am Thankful For,” can help you in all kinds of ways, too. You get a sense of what’s important in life, where your priorities lie and what brings you joy.
What you’re thankful for.
For a writer, it can also help you find your personality. Your distinct voice.
I keep this list on the wall by my computer screen. When I need a break from writing, it reminds me of all the things in life I take for granted. So, in a way, it’s a gratitude list, too.
99 Things I Am Thankful For
- Squirrels eating peanuts
- 1930s screwball comedies
- The smell of a bold roast coffee brewing
- Time for writing
- My juggling balls
- Opportunities to teach something new, to anyone
- Day car trips with @bobWP
- A good supply of watercolors
- Black licorice
- New car smell
- Foggy fall days
- Snow globes
- Fountain pens that write thick, gloppy letters
- A first grader’s missing-tooth grin
- 20th-Century classics
- Crows
- The smell of new-cut firewood
- Paper to make snowflakes with
- Walks in the woods
- Ella Fitzgerald songs
- Chances to see my daughter perform in a stage play
- @bobWP’s laugh
- Anyone’s laugh
- Red-sky sunsets
- The smell of daffodils
- Bubble wrap to make popping noises with
- Lap time with Chester the cat
- My breath on a cold day
- Homemade veggie pizza
- The New York Times
- My Pavarotti & Friends for Bosnia Concert CD
- The beauty of the Manhattan skyline
- The beach on a stormy day
- Judy Collins’s version of “Send in the Clowns”
- Slightly tart wild blackberry pie
- Canadians
- Hitchcock movies
- Flannel pajamas
- Canada geese flying low over the water
- The sound of rain on the roof
- The smell of a cedar tree
- Veggie spring rolls with red chili sauce
- My network of writer friends
- Improv comedy
- A house to live in
- Access to health care
- Squalls coming off the ocean and soaking everything
- Scented marking pens
- Double tall, slightly dry, nonfat cappuccinos
- Getting the letter “Q” in a Scrabble game
- Chocolates that have caramel centers
- Central Park in the spring
- NYC’s antique book shops
- Globes
- Loud thunderstorms
- Penguins—real or drawn
- The sound of a baby’s laugh
- Enough pens for journal writing
- Poets
- World maps
- Good health
- Memoirs
- Molasses cookies
- Christmas trees
- A crackling fire—crackling or otherwise
- Art produced by 5-year-olds
- Hot Tamales (the candy)
- People who adopt rescue animals
- Documentaries on the making of movies
- Bald eagles
- Sunlight on stained glass windows
- Mentors I have had
- Artichokes
- Scented candles
- Cousins who find me and reconnect
- Double shots of espresso
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- The sounds of backyard birds
- Baby raccoons
- The smell of asphalt after a summer rain
- Snow falling on cedars (not the book—actual snow falling on cedars)
- Playground slides (when no one is watching)
- Scottish bagpipes
- Icy puddles I can step on to hear the cracking sound
- Trenchcoats
- A ferry’s foghorn
- My Kindle Reader
- The chance to experience a star-filled night in Mali
- Notecards with Impressionist art
- Libraries
- The Washington (DC) National Zoo
- The cartoons in The New Yorker magazine
- Old clocks
- Having learned to cook (finally!)
- Snow angels
- The song “Danny Boy”
- Tree houses
- Bubble blowers
- Sounds of a children’s choir
Are any of these on your list, too?
Any that aren’t on my list?
What a great idea, Judy. I’m going to do this tonight. We have a lot of things in common.
It is always amazing to me the things that people have in common and we do not know it. I think I could have gone on with at least ten more things after I reached #99. We should all publish our lists on our own blogs. That would be fun!
I loved reading your list, Judy! We like many of the same scents like chopped firewood, molasses cookies and asphalt after rain–to name a few. Sometime I feel like I’m so blah and well, boring. Maybe putting a list together will remind me of ME!
Making a list like this shows us just how unique we are. And I think it showed me that I see the world through all my senses, having a number of sound/smell/touch things in there, too. When you finish your list, hang it up so you can be reminded of all the things you cherish!
I love all your list, but have three additions for it: Vanilla (taste and smell), smell of fresh baked bread (especially with butter) … and shoes!
Well, fresh-baked bread would be right up there for me, too. (Not so much the vanilla and the shoes.) Hmm. I’m thinking I could probably do a Part 2. Great to see you here again, my friend.
Nice to talk again. I’ve missed our weirdly wired exchanges!
Yes, that’s a great idea. I used to keep a gratitude journal and would write 5 – 15 things everyday that I was grateful for. I’ve stopped the practice so your challenge is great for reminding me of how blessed I am.
I just wrote 99 things I love. Did you really take ten minutes to write that whole list? I took 16 mins and my list was not as detailed as yours! They were mostly just single word nouns. I guess I type slowly.
This IS close to a gratitude journal, isn’t it? On the ten minutes, I just made that my reader challenge. I’d say it took me more like 15 minutes.
Glad you were up to the challenge!
I am taking you up on the challenge. Stay tuned 🙂 Cheers! Kaarina
That’s great to hear! Please keep me posted on that. Am heading over to your blog next to read your new post.
I DISLIKE many things on this list (I particularly hate Scottish bagpipes) and yet we are friends. It just shows you don’t need to have everything in common to have a connection with someone.
Valerie,
Exactly. And it would be boring if we all loved the same things, wouldn’t it? Some of the things I love do break out more on the sad side (bagpipes, foghorns, etc.). I wonder why that is?
Love this idea! Making a note to set timer later today, so stay tuned 😉
Good to hear, Sandi. It is always interesting to compare different people’s lists. Have fun!
I love this idea! Moreover, we have a ton in common. This list makes me remember many, many fine times. I will definitely take you up on the challenge, although I doubt very much I will dash it off in 10 minutes. Feels more like something to savor, revisiting the past and planning the future.
That’s one of the best parts of this isn’t it? Finding common ground with other people. I like the slow, deliberate approach you are suggesting. Each thing on your list deserves some attention.
Good luck with that list!
Gratitude is a feeling that can arise in no matter how valuable they have done for us, but simply because we were pleased.
Exactly. It’s really about being grateful for all the small things, isn’t it?
The idea of the list has come to my liking, I’ll do something similar for myself. Your blog is interesting. A lot of necessary and useful information. Your example is inspiring.
Glad you found it useful. 🙂