Growing up, my family always had a tradition that revolved around the month of November. This tradition has been in place since I was a little kid, and while I’m in college now, I still try to continue this in my own way. For every day of November, we would write something that we are thankful for up on the chalkboard on our pantry door. By the end of the month, the board would be filled with things that we had to be thankful for. While I do think it’s important to focus on thankfulness beyond just the month of November and the holiday of Thanksgiving, this practice helps you really reset and focus on the things that you’ve been blessed with. It also encourages me to always find the good in each day, even if I don’t feel like there’s much to be thankful for on a bad day, there is always something.
Philippians 4:6 states, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Psalm 100:4 states, “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.”
These two verses especially have been impactful on my heart and have encouraged me to go to God first with what I’m thankful for. Opening up prayer and conversations with Jesus in this way radically changes the way you view everything you’ve been blessed with and the ways that God has moved in your life.
I’d like to encourage you to take the time today and daily throughout the next month (and even beyond!) to write down things you’re thankful for. While it seems like such a simple practice, this can change your perspective and shape the way you view your circumstances. I’ve made a list below of 100 things that I am be thankful for today (in no particular order), and I’d encourage you to make you own list! Happy November, friends.
Jesus and my relationship with Him
Quality time with family and friends
Joe and the way he loves me so well even from far away
Alpha Chi Omega
Sunsets
Dale Hollow Lake trips with my people
DOGS
The ability to work out and exercise
Freedom of speech + my ability to have this blog
Capstone College of Nursing and the incredible faculty there
Photography
Saturday Mornings
Olivia Burgess’ laugh
Church of the Highlands
Delight Alabama
Chipotle burrito bowls
Lake Lure, NC
Lavender lattes
Walks along the beach
Shopping days + Sleepovers at Nonnie and Poppie’s
The way the house staff at AXO goes out of their way to make me gluten free food
Olivia Kegley’s encouragement + intentionality
When the skies are so clear at night you can see all of the stars
The gift that FaceTime is to Joe and I
Snow days
Country concerts in the lawn at Klipsch in the summer
Airport reunions
Jordan Axel’s heart for Jesus + leading others closer to Him
Oversized sweatshirts
The Enneagram + the way it has taught me so much about myself
The way my mom mentors me in photography and just about every other area of my life as well
Books
Gluten free cookies
Alabama football games
Picnics
My Dad’s work ethic + love for his family
Trips to Disney World
Bouquets of peonies
Nashville, TN
Tatum Madden’s jokes and her ability to always put a smile on my face
Movie marathons
Jeep rides down back country roads with the top down and the doors off
Eric Church’s music
Weddings
The way Lucy loves everyone with all she’s got
Polaroid pictures
Heart to hearts over coffee
Greys Anatomy
Worship nights
Writing letters
Katie’s way she makes everyone feel special + the gift Jesus has given her in dance
Hearing other people’s love stories
Italian gelato
Meeting new friends
The feeling when you get a new planner
Our family’s Yuletide Christmas tradition
The way Hannah Conrad listens so well and gives the best advice
Friendship bracelets
Cuddling with Manning + Margo after being gone for a long time
Bonfires + smore’s with reeses
Getting the window seat on an airplane
Ashley’s pure joy + love for life
Mani-pedi’s
Sunrise breakfast dates
Fall candles
Celebrating birthdays
The way Papa has demonstrated true love and commitment so well
The ability to travel the world
Handel’s ice cream
Road trips with friends
Cowgirl boots
NYC at Christmas time
Genna’s spunk and adventurous spirit
POTR
Sunflower fields
Riding four-wheelers
Younglife camps
Tanslee’s loyalty and how well she gives tough love
Getting my hair done and how healthy and clean it always feels afterwards
Popcorn and ice cream at Nonnie and Poppie’s
Seeing dogs on campus at UA
Discovering new music on Spotify
Kylie’s goofiness and way she is always so completely herself
Sleeping in without an alarm set
Amazon Prime
Coming home to our house decorated for the holidays
Cold showers after a long workout
Family game nights + the memories I have of those from my childhood
Kelly’s consistency and the way she brings out the best in everyone around her
When you hear an old song you used to love that you forgot about
Spontaneously going to a concert
Discovering a new podcast
Looking through old pictures
Julianne’s love for others and ability to make everyone feel welcome and included
Surprises
Alabama’s warm weather
White Christmas’s in Indiana
When strangers hold the door for you
Pinterest
YOU ALL!!!!
Thank you all so much for following along and supporting me and reading my blog posts. I hope that this inspired you to make your own list of things that you’re thankful for and to focus extra on gratitude during this month. There’s so much to be thankful for and just taking even a little bit of time out of our day to acknowledge it can completely change your perspective and increase your gratitude. Happy November!!!
