I am trying to avoid social media these days. Mostly because it is a time sucker.
A while back, I started posting "three things that made me smile today." I loved doing these posts. It helped me to find those small, ordinary things that I was grateful for in my day.
Gratitude journaling has many benefits such as lowering stress, improving attitudes, and increasing happiness. Although I haphazardly keep a gratitude journal, I enjoyed posting these on social media.
As I was deciding what slice of my life to share today, I thought this would be a great way to capture those small moments that I am grateful for.
Three things that made me smile Monday:
- The smell of cocoa butter--I have been massaging the muscles behind my knee and the bursa sacs with cocoa butter, and while at first, I didn't like the smell, it now reminds me that through pain comes relief.
- Reading aloud to my students--I don't do this often enough, but we are reading a whole class novel, and I have been reading aloud some of the chapters. Even middle schoolers enjoy this!
- My husband--with my knee injury, my mobility is limited, and I am unable to go up and down stairs. My husband has been pulling double duty by doing extra things around the house. I am so grateful for his help!
Writing this slice of gratitude made me smile and ended my day on a positive note!
I am grateful to Two Writing Teachers and the other teacher-writers as we
share a slice of life during the month of March.
I love the power of three!
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the gratitude this post depicts and like the format (which I hope to borrow). I too keep a haphazard gratitude journal in a google doc that is OLD but filled with magical moments and great hope for the power of this life to bring small joys. In reality, it is the small moments and small acts of kindness that enrich life in the greatest of ways.
ReplyDeleteI hope you said to your husband that he is on your gratitude list. I miss reading aloud to students.
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ReplyDeleteI have a jar of Palmer’s on the table beside my recliner- the smell of it does take getting used to. I used to read aloud to 5th & 6th grade classes- they loved it, too. One year we did an abbreviated version of a Mock Newbery- we would read the first few chapters, then vote whether to continue or go to the next book. If we moved on, anyone who wanted to read more put their name in a drawing to borrow it. Competition was fierce when we voted on winners. But of course the best on your list of three- your helpful hubby!!
What a lovely list! I especially love reading to students, too! :)
ReplyDeleteI love gratitude journaling. And I’m saving this idea for the “I don’t know what to write about” day that is sure to pop up.
ReplyDeleteLeigh Anne, this is a perfect way to write a slice of life, in gratitude. Especially in your pain, you have looked for the silver lining and the small good things that have come about even from an injury. All the best as your knee heals.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this format that seems to have so many benefits. It is also brief enough to write daily. I hope you feel much better soon. I did not know about this remedy; "I have been massaging the muscles behind my knee and the bursa sacs with cocoa butter " it is interesting and I would really like to find out more about it.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of publishing three things that make you smile. If forces us to concentrate the the good that happens top us. arjeha
ReplyDeleteLeigh Anne, I love how you incorporated what the cocoa butter now means to you. I would love to think more about my joys mean to me.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great practice and I enjoyed the view into your day. The photo at the top made me smile- good choice.
ReplyDeleteI love the simplicity of being thankful and joyful with three things each day! I just might have to borrow your idea!!
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