Today I am thankful for thankfulness.

11.30.2020

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Looking back at this past month, I’ve been thankful for a lot of random things – everything from Tupperware and Clorox wipes to sky blue pink sunsets and fire pits. I’d like to think that I would have been attuned to these blessings without this month-long practice, but honestly I don’t know that I would have. When I’m intentional about noticing things in my life for which I’m grateful, the more of these things I tend to see. That doesn’t mean there are more or less blessings there. It just means that when I’m paying attention to them I get the chance to enjoy them.

I’m a pretty happy-go-lucky person, but one thing I’ve learned about myself over many years of self-reflection, is that for me there is a distinct difference between being happy and knowing joy. Happiness is my default emotion. My emotions may go up and down throughout any given day, depending on the circumstance, but most of the time I land on happy. But joy … joy is different. It's bigger. And deeper. Joy is a gift that’s available to me in any given minute. Sometimes I choose to pick it up, unwrap it, hold it, and admire it. Sometimes I walk on by. Joy takes a conscious effort for me to be present and appreciative. But when I do stop to smell the roses (or laugh at the squirmy wormies) I can’t say I’ve ever regretted it.

So, I’m thankful for thankfulness. I’m thankful for all the joy-filled moments that I got to experience this month, just because I paid attention. I’m thankful for the practice of finding blessings in the mundane and ordinary. And, I’m thankful for a brilliant God who sprinkles joy masterfully into my life. I really, truly am thankful for it all.