Practicing Gratitude in November

Focusing on Gratitude This Season

November is a special month. The fun and spookiness of Halloween are over, and the anticipation of the upcoming holidays hangs in the air. It also happens to be the birth month of our oldest kiddo, who we are so thankful for.

Our William. We are so thankful for him.

Last week I ran in my second marathon. Completing the race was the result of several months of training, and during the hours spent alone on the road I did a lot of thinking and reflecting on how to be a better mom, wife, teacher, and friend. It’s funny how several hours with no one to talk to results in this! The countless miles helped me come to two important conclusions: (1) I am a better person when I feel healthy and happy, and (2) Most of my happiness comes from actively practicing gratitude by making a choice to look for the positive in each experience and to learn from the challenges in my day. It’s easy to get caught in a rut of focusing on the negative things in life that stress us out, but I find I am so much happier when I choose to consciously focus on the positive.

Finishing my first marathon last year. I was so thankful that I accomplished my goal of finishing the race!

So, in an effort to practice gratitude as a family this month, we are adding to our Gratitude Tree every day in November.

The “tree” is just some simple branches in a vase on our front entry table. You can pick up branches like these in the floral section of any craft store, or you can order them online. I like THIS SET and THIS SET. I ordered these LEAVES, but you could go with different options like THESE or THESE. Each night this month, every family member chooses a leaf from the basket and writes down something they’re thankful for. It can be an object, a person, a place, or an experience. The only rule is that there are no repeats.

This is what our tree looks like after a few days.

This is what our tree looks like just a few days into the month.

Look at some of the sweet things on these leaves!

I love the feeling this gives everyone as they enter our home through the front door.

This was our oldest’s first leaf. Our family cottage in Michigan is our favorite place and so special to everyone in our family.

Sweet Benny, our youngest. Reading these just melts my heart.

Caroline loves our dog so much. I’m not surprised that this was her first leaf.

This one made me cry when I read it. It really is all about life’s simple things.

Each night before bed, every member of our family fills out a leaf. After only a few days, I have to say that it has been such a special experience for our family. Throughout the day, our kids mention different ideas they have for their leaf that day.

Benny working hard on his leaf for the day.

I can’t wait to see what everyone will write as the month progresses. I hope that this practice will become a family tradition each November, but more importantly, I hope that it will help my children to focus on the positive in their lives. I am truly thankful to be their mom, and thinking about how thankful I am for them helped me finish Saturday’s marathon.

– Meg

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