Tomorrow is the final day of September. The final day of 30 Days of Nothing.
For four weeks, I’ve repeatedly checked the calendar. For four weeks, the days have dragged on, shaming me in the reality that we are up to our armpits in a materialistic world. And for four weeks I’ve shared with you a plan, idealism, frustration, reality checks, diminishing resolve and goals.
But a common thread that I haven’t shared is my growing gratitude. Spurred by Fruitful Word’s gratitude journal and Sting My Heart’s participation in Thankful Thursday, I’ve found myself newly, and acutely aware of our blessings.
Besides the tear-inducing stories that make me embrace my children and weep for our veritable fortune in good health, there are literally hundreds of miniscule blessings I experience each and every day. And they’re often cloaked in complaint.
Today I’ll share my gratitude.
the dirty car, the noisy kids, the messy house, the empty fridge,
the smelly dog, the chilly lake, the shedding cat, the yard to rake,
the blog to write, the rainy day, business to run, the days away,
slow computer, husband to feed, busy schedule, the books to read,
the bike’s flat tire, lunches to make, TV reception, full-stomach-ache,
food to cook, the grass-stained knees, mother to visit, siblings to see,
the lawn to mow, the clothes to wash, errands to run, teeth to floss,
Christmas shopping, homework to do, good friends to call,
And how about you?
Tell me, what are you grateful for?
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More about 30 Days:Pre-30 Days, Day 1, Week 1, Week 2, Week 3. For more participants in this project, visit Intent.
Tags: 30 Days of Nothing, blessings, gratitude, poem, Thanksgiving
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3:01 pm
The poem!
(I’m late again… but I had to say good morning…)
3:26 pm
[…] More 30 Days posts: Pre-30 Days Day 1 Week 1 Week 2 30 Days of Gratitude […]
3:28 pm
What a great post Kelly! There’s nothing quite as refreshing or important than to take time to stop and count our blessings. I remember the poem my mom had in our kitchen growing up about how not to complain of dirty dishes because it means we’re eating rather well. After the busy week I’ve had I needed the reminder to stop and count my own. Thanks!!
Hugs,
Holly
Holly’s Corner
3:40 pm
Cute poem!! And how true about the gratitude lesson!
Mary
4:53 pm
Thanks for sharing such a wonderful poem. It helped put things in prespective for me, about counting my blessings and to remind me what really counts!
5:52 pm
I’m totally in awe of you and your family for doing this. Yeah, we do take things for granted and although we think we are frugal, there are some things that we can definitely change.
I’m grateful for my healthy children and hubbie.
I’m grateful for a close knit family, my parents and siblings.
I’m grateful for this blogosphere, and the friends I’ve made.
I’m grateful that it’s Friday and I don’t have to do any more chores for a few more days.
Have a nice weekend. Betty
6:44 pm
There are many, many things I am grateful for so many things. I really try to think about the little stuff in life that make me smile. I think most of the time we just focus on the huge stuff.
Thank you for sharing this sweet poem
6:57 pm
There are so many things I’m thankful for, many of them that you mentioned. My family is most definitely at the top of my list. I’m lucky enough to have not just a wonderful family living here with me, but I also have wonderful parents and siblings that live nearby.
7:33 pm
Loved the poem! great post and what a life lesson for your kids
9:24 pm
Congrats on your new website.
Love the attitude of gratitude. Always makes me happy to remember the good in my life
9:27 pm
I love the new site as well. You are so talented. The poem and thoughts were beautiful. I am going to think about this and make me a list too.
12:37 am
My health, my family, my life.
3:29 am
Thank you all for your generous comments on my gratitude post.
I’m grateful to all of you!
1:34 pm
Wow…thanks for putting perspective in a life that really needs some lately!
Loved the poem too! You’ve inspired me to try one of my own…I’m linking you when I fing the time to actually sit down and write it. (busy weekend ahead)
Thanks so much for sharing!
7:50 am
[…] Kelly at Pass The Torch shares her gratitude list with us at the end of her family’s 30 Days of Nothing project. Very inspiring! […]
8:11 am
[…] And this week, Kailani’s Carnival of Family Life is hosted by Play Library. My 30 Days of Gratitude post is featured this week. […]
12:01 pm
Darn, I thought I had commented on this the other day..
Great post and poem, Kelly!
I might have to give the 30 days a try. I am trying to teach Anna to appreciate what she has, but we struggle with the results of spoiling an only child for 4 years (before Emma was born, we spoiled her because we were so happy to have her after 11 years of infertility). I am considering it, not as a punishment, but again maybe as a teaching tool for all of us.
2:18 pm
What a great poem! I wish I could do the 30 day thing but I know I’m not that disciplined! Thanks for sharing this with the Carnival of Family Life.
12:27 am
That poem is so perfect. You’re so very right. We all have so much to be thankful for.
9:41 pm
Abounding Moments Day 2
I found this post on gratitude that was part of the 30 Days of Nothing Project that ran through September. It sounds interesting. Quite a challenge. This post was written by one of the participants in the project at the end. I hope you enjoy.
30 Days o…
10:32 pm
[…] The theme for Kailani’s Carnival of Family Life this week is Thanksgiving, so I’m reposting the poem I wrote back in September for 30 Days of Nothing. The post has been Googled a lot recently, in preparation for Thanksgiving, I assume. So I thought you might enjoy reading it again today. […]