Capturing Gratitude

Thank you to Two Writing Teachers for creating a place to share our Slice of Life. Read more slices or add you own here.

A little while back Terje at Just for a Month, sent me a tweet challenging me to capture gratitude by listing 100 things I am grateful for.  I kept putting it off until I read a tweet Sunday.  This tweet intrigued me.  I followed the link to the story of Brittany Maynard. Brittany was a young woman who had a terminal brain tumor and chose to end her life on her own terms before the cancer did it for her.  This story grabbed my heart and did not let go.

This post is not about what she did.  It is about what she said.  I am sure being face to face with one's mortality would be the catalyst to change and the inspiration to very deep thinking.  As I read her obituary, I was mesmerized by her profound words.

It is people who pause to appreciate life and give thanks who are happiest.  If we change our thoughts, we change our world!  Love and peace to you all." ~ Brittany Maynard

Her words made me question whether I am pausing or am I racing through this one life I have.  Am I assuming the people in my life know I am thankful, or am I letting them know before it is too late.  I like to think I am a grateful person, but I know there are many times when I do not pause.

Reading Brittany's words gave me a nudge.  She knew her days were numbered.  I know my days in this life are numbered too.  The only difference is she made the best of those days she had left.  She chose to change her world by changing her thoughts.  

Today, I pause.  

                        Today, I thank.  

Today, I reflect.

                        Today, I challenge you to do the same.

Here is my list of 100 things I am grateful for...in no particular order.

1. my husband of almost 25 years
2. my daughter
3. my son
4. my sisters
5. my brother
6. my niece
7. my nephew
8. my mom
9. my grandma
10. my grandma's noodles
11. the time I had with my mother and father-in-law
12. my log cabin-like house
13. sunny days
14. blue skies
15. pool days
16. the four seasons
17. comfy pants
18. books
19. reading glasses
20. flannel sheets
21. silent snowfalls
22. smiles
23. fresh peaches
24. a clean house
25. writing days
26. reading days
27. Slice of Life
28. fellow bloggers
29. my students
30. my principal
31. my teacher-friends
32. falling leaves
33. the smell of freshly cut grass
34. Twitter
35. bubble baths
36. EJDs (my high school friends)
37. new notebooks
38. technology
39. sticky notes
40. yellow highlighters
41. uni-ball pens
42. porches
43. quilts
44. rocking chairs
45. vacation days
46. vegetable soup
47. pillows (I sleep with three)
48. country music
49. book stores
50. first fire of the season
51. snow days
52. khakis
53. my PLN
54. sunsets
55. sunrises
56. cold drinks 
57. sleeping in
58. black-eyed susans
59. God's grace
60. my health
61. the beach
62. sunscreen
63. freedom
64. my spiritual journey
65. hot showers
66. our local produce market
67. comfy shoes
68. holidays
69. laughter
70. electric blankets
71. doctors
72. medicine
73. our middle school Fellowship of Christian Athletes
74. Next Chapter Book Club
75. people with disabilities
76. life lessons
77. people who can sing
78. homegrown sweet corn
79. homegrown strawberries
80. my teacher's bible study group
81. sweatshirts
82. freshly baked bread
83. the smell of coffee
84. mentors
85. McDonald's french fries
86. celebrations
87. watching my daughter coach basketball
88. watching my son play his guitar
89. cleansing rains
90. passion
91. the color green
92. family dinners
93. the smell of Christmas trees
94. opportunities
95. conservative values
96. giggles
97. sprinklers
98. my ability to cook
99. memories
100. words

This month I have joined fellow bloggers and @teachthought for a November challenge - Teaching Through an Attitude of Gratitude.  This month is a wonderful time for reflective thankfulness, but after reading Brittany's story, I want to have an attitude of gratitude not just for this month, but every day.