I have heard it takes 30 days to create a habit.  After 30 days of practice, it is supposed to be easier to do whatever it is you are practicing than to not do it. 

In 2010, I decided to walk through the cold into the warmth of spring with a friend of mine.  On one of those walks she told me about Project 365 which is actually a photograph a day but she was thinking of doing a grateful picture a day.  I thought this was a great idea.  I was walking through some stressful times and that sounded like a smart thing to do.  That year I didn’t start on the first day of the year, so it was only 358.  I printed a book of all of my daily grateful photos with their caption.  Here is my note in the front of that book:

It is true.  I am forever changed. 

Today, I have practiced daily gratitude for 1,409 days since that first day in 2010.  That is a lot of gratefuls.  There were some pretty awful days in there.  Today was a little rough to be honest.  The thing is, my mind can’t help but reach for all that is right in the midst of whatever else is spinning around me.  Things have a way of spilling over into one another…work, hobbies, kids, other people who think this way too, church, just all sorts of overlap in many directions.

It seems to be more now.  So I am grateful…so what?  Now what?  I love many words, but lately LOVE WINS just keeps rolling through.  It really does.  If I realize all that I have, then it seems time to practice love just for the sake of love – with no thought or need of what is expected in return.  This is the message I have heard from more than one source.  Can you imagine how cool that feels?  For friends, for strangers, for colleagues, for family, neighbors, whomever – for ourselves.  What if we put it all out there because that is who we are and what we need to do with no worry or fear about what is to be returned.  That is not for us to worry about.

So far, I have to tell you it feels pretty good.

These leather cuffs are just one little example.  It all started for my son.  Then I was able to do for others.  Then each time I shared my story and it resonated with someone else it was just the coolest thing.  So now, in this month where so many are posting gratefuls for each day – 30 days, it is pretty exciting to think about the ripples in the works.  If by chance you would like to wear these words and help to remind yourself beyond this bountiful month of gratitude right into the rush of December and beyond, Encore Boutique will gladly hook you up in a friendly and delightful way. 

Most importantly, my wish for you today is that you feel fully the weight of each and every blessing bestowed upon you and your worries roll off your back like rain or scatter to the floor as you sleep.  You are loved beyond measure and exactly as you were intended to be.  This world needs just what you have to offer.

All my love,

DZ