I rarely quote scripture mainly because I’m not as well-versed in it as I ought to be, but I came across this the other day and it took a seat, niggled at my brain and decided to stay: “Wherever your treasure lies, there your heart will be.” (Luke 12:34). It got me thinking about my treasures and this month of gratitude in which many of us stop to count our blessings.
Usually when I hear the word “treasure,” I think of gold coins and jewels – a pirate’s bounty. As the word applies to my life, however, my greatest treasures are, of course, my children, my husband and my extended family and friends. Wherever my family is, that’s where my heart resides. I think this is probably the case for many of us. For me, the people who matter most in my life are my anchors. Without their love and connection, I’d flit about my landscape grasping at scudding clouds. The world would truly seem a somber, desolate place.
I noticed on Facebook that my sister-in-law has been posting almost daily about what she is grateful for. What a wonderful way to acknowledge our treasures — the people, events, opportunities and quiet moments we often take for granted, particularly during this month of our national Thanksgiving. Even if you don’t want to shout it out to the world, here are other ways you and your family can express gratitude now and throughout the year.
Gratitude Journal. When I’m having a day where nothing seems to be going right, where everything feels like a hassle and my “treasures” are driving me bonkers, I find it helpful to sit with my gratitude journal and write three or four things that I’m thankful for. Sometimes it’s hard for me to come up with three things if I’m feeling especially annoyed. Nonetheless, this is an excellent exercise that helps me firmly yank those trivial, irksome issues out of the well-tended garden of perspective. Unfortunately, I don’t write in my gratitude journal nearly as often as I should.
Blessings Jar/Wreath. Write something you are thankful for each day and drop it into a family “blessings” jar. Engage the whole family in the project and go through the jar on Thanksgiving day with your family. Or as a mom suggested in my MOPS (Moms of Preschoolers) group, create a wreath that each member of the family can stick their blessing on throughout the month. She makes a foam wreath that she covers in burlap cloth and gives her family paper cut like fall foliage for them to write on.
Dinnertime thanks. Begin your evening meal by going around to each family member and having each person say something that s/he is thankful for that day.
Thank you notes or email. Sometimes it’s also nice to extend your thankfulness directly to the people who have made a difference to you, whether that day, the past few weeks, or months, or even, years ago. A friend of mine just sent me a note of thanks that filled my sails. I can think of several people who I should send a note to, as well, for their thoughtfulness, support and kindness.
Prayerful reflection. If it feels right to you, consider a prayer of gratitude to your higher power before your turn out the lights tonight.
If nothing else, reflecting on our blessings helps us grow more resilient to our challenges. Today, take a moment to go over your day even if you need to dig a bit to unearth the gems. You may be surprised. Did anyone, perhaps even a complete stranger, offer a kind word, an understanding smile or a helping hand? Was the sunrise especially beautiful this morning? Did your child give you an extra long hug before school? These daily gifts can be easy to overlook, shrouded in the shadow of the more miserable moments when it feels like life is kicking us around. The ability to glimpse those golden, glittering splashes of light through the murky shadows is sometimes just the shake a frustrated, despairing spirit needs to re-energize, regroup and move forward.
What treasures are you thankful for today? Do you have a special way of reflecting on the gifts in your life?
