Month: November 2024

Day 20 Gratitude Challenge

The picture at the top of this post was taken on March 1, 2020. On that day, the Augustana Vikings suffered a heartbreaking loss in the conference tournament. It also marked the beginning of my incredible streak. Since then, I have logged at least 10,000 steps for 1,725 consecutive days, which is equivalent to 4 years, 8 months, 3 weeks, and 4 days.

Maintaining this streak hasn’t always been easy, and in recent months, I’ve questioned whether it’s worth continuing. Despite facing illness and challenging weather, my commitment has never wavered. Most days, I complete about half of my steps either by walking outside with my dog or indoors on a treadmill.

Throughout this journey, I’ve lost a significant amount of weight, improved my medical lab results, and enhanced my overall health. Achieving a streak like this requires both luck and willpower. I am proud of my accomplishment and will continue this streak for as long as I can.

Good health is often taken for granted until it’s lost. While your health may not be perfect, if you can read this, you have your sight, which is a valuable gift. There is much in life that is beyond our control, yet every day we make countless choices about how we care for our bodies. Today, treat your body well by drinking more water, eating nutritious foods, taking deep breaths, and incorporating physical activity into your routine. Additionally, consider tonight as an opportunity to give yourself the gift of more sleep. Create calming bedtime routines to help relax your mind.

Day 19 Gratitude Challenge – The Picture

Four years ago, as I was completing the first gratitude challenge, I made two posts in Facebook.

One was about gratitude see below. I think these words are still applicable.

Today we are to consider the challenges we have faced in our lives. What can I find to be grateful for for in those challenges. While there are many examples, there is a present challenge that exists. How to survive during a pandemic. The present challenge requires me to view the world through a different lens and focus on what matters. I have intentionally tried to direct my energy toward things that matter. I am grateful that the pandemic has caused me to look at an approach life differently.

The other post from that day is at the top of this one. When I took that picture and made that post, I was not aware that my life was about to undergo a dramatic transformation.

I looked at that picture and immediately realized that something needed to change. My health and weight were out of control. That day, I started researching options and quietly began my transformation. Ultimately, I lost about 60 pounds but have since gained back around 15 of those. What’s interesting is that I find my current weight unacceptable, even though it is still lower than my original goal.

So, today’s challenge is to be grateful for your challenges and difficulties.

Day 18 Gratitude Challenge

Today, embrace state of gratitude all day, no matter what comes your way

I often find Mondays more challenging than other days. I enjoy my weekends and feel grateful for the nice weather we had this past weekend, which allowed for long walks outside. However, as we move closer to winter, I realize that the weather may make this more difficult.

I won’t go into detail, but recently, I learned that someone I care deeply about lost their significant other. Although I haven’t always believed this or practiced it, I’ve come to realize that it is during the darkest times that we need gratitude the most.

Today, practice gratitude throughout the day, regardless of the circumstances. Did you know that when you maintain a positive mindset, your brain can be more productive than when you’re in a negative or neutral state? Embracing gratitude can quickly shift you into a positive state of mind. Commit to being grateful, even when facing unexpected, unwelcome, or unpleasant situations. Don’t allow your circumstances to determine your attitude; choose gratitude instead.

Day 17 2024 Gratitude Challenge

Over the last three days, at least one family member—whether it be my brother, nephew, sister, or grandma—had a birthday. Today marks what would have been my grandmother’s 125th birthday. She lived for 97 years, leaving behind a lasting legacy. Birthdays should be celebrated.

Social media often faces criticism and condemnation for being a source of many societal problems, and much of that criticism is justified. Observing the comments of friends, family, and others before and after the election has been both interesting and disappointing. We can and should strive to do better.

But this post is not about the problems of social media. I choose to disregard and ignore most of the negativity on social media. I prefer to focus on positive aspects. Whether sharing pictures, interesting news articles, thoughtful quotes, or funny thoughts of family, vacations, nature, sporting events, or my dog,

Since my last birthday, I have made a daily effort to wish all Facebook friends a happy birthday. Each day, I take few moments to wish my friends a happy birthday. Additionally, I take a moment to reflect on our connection and express gratitude for these people. It has been a fantastic daily habit.

This post explores the connections between birthdays and social media. I use social media to connect with friends and build positive relationships.

Today, the challenge is to use social media to strengthen relationships and express appreciation, gratitude, and recognition. You might wish your friends a happy birthday or scroll through your list of friends and reflect on wonderful memories. Let’s be grateful for how we are connected.

Day 16 Gratitude Challenge

Today is a short post. I have many things to be grateful for in my life. Today is a pay-it-forward day. When you pay it forward, you potentially set off a chain reaction of kindness.

Who will you pay it forward to today? Small acts of kindness, whether it’s buying someone a coffee, treating a weary mom with young kids to lunch, or helping someone with their groceries, can create a ripple effect of positivity. Look for opportunities throughout your day to brighten someone else’s experience. Simple gestures, like offering a warm smile, making eye contact with a greeting, or holding the door open, can make a significant difference. Embrace the countless ways to share kindness and inspire others.

Day 15 Gratitude Challenge

Death is inevitable. It leaves a trail of sorrow for those left behind. There are so many unanswered questions. Yet, one thing is certain . My brother is dead. We buried his remains today. Jason Harris

I wrote the quote above just over four years ago on the day I buried my oldest brother, Jeff. I vividly remember writing those words and can still feel the pain, anger, sadness, and confusion I experienced. I will always remember. I don’t believe you ever forget the pain of losing someone you love so deeply.

The five stages of grief—denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance—are commonly understood as a sequential journey, often thought to unfold in a specific order. However, since the loss of my brother, I’ve found myself navigating these stages in various sequences and sometimes experiencing them all in one day. Most days, I come to a place of acceptance, though it’s a difficult journey, and I embrace that feeling as best as I can, knowing it’s a part of the healing process. Yet, I often wonder: is it truly possible to fully heal from such a profound loss?

Today marks several significant events. It’s the 15th day of the gratitude challenge, which means we’ve reached the halfway mark. It’s also 10 days past the election. Most importantly, today is my brother’s birthday; he would have been 64.

Today’s challenge invites us to transform a negative experience into a positive reflection. Let’s take a moment to think about those who are no longer with us. It’s natural to feel a mix of emotions, and acknowledging the impact they had on our lives is important. We can hold on to the gratitude for the moments we shared with them, cherishing their memory. Although we may not be able to thank them directly, we can honor their legacy and the positive influence they brought into our lives. This act of remembrance allows us to celebrate the love and lessons they imparted, keeping their spirit alive in our hearts.

Day 14 2024 Gratitude Challenge

How did the stacking go yesterday? Did you notice anything different? Perhaps you felt more gratitude or had a better attitude? If you read the news, it’s easy to focus on the negative aspects. A key goal of this challenge is to find the good, stay positive, and be grateful.

A significant aspect of this challenge requires you to focus on others rather than just yourself. Today, that changes. What are your strengths? Attached to this post is a photo I took a few weeks ago at a professional tennis event. I have a passion for capturing action shots in sports, particularly in tennis. Some people have mentioned that my pictures are quite good, and I believe this is a talent of mine. I am grateful for the opportunity to take photographs like this.

Take time to reflect and be grateful for the strengths, talents, and gifts you have. Reflecting on the strengths, talents, and gifts that you possess can be a powerful exercise in gratitude. Often, we might overlook our unique qualities, assuming that what comes naturally to us is commonplace.

If you are unsure about your strengths, seek feedback from friends or colleagues; they may see talents in you that you haven’t recognized. By embracing and celebrating these qualities, you’ll be better positioned to leverage them, allowing you to make a more meaningful impact on the world around you.

Day 13 – 2024 Gratitude Challenge

For the past 12 days, I have challenged readers to embrace gratitude. Gratitude encourages us to focus on the more positive aspects of our world and lives. Below is a list of the challenges completed so far.

  • Day 1 – No Complaining – It doesn’t do any good anyway
  • Day 2 – Be grateful for the little things in life
  • Day 3 – Be mindful all-day
  • Day 4 – Reflect on favorite memories
  • Day 5 – Express gratitude to the people who impact your life
  • Day 6 – Write a letter of gratitude to someone who positively impacted your life
  • Day 7 – Resist the urge to buy unnecessary items and consider giving to a charity
  • Day 8 – Smile at yourself and others all-day
  • Day 9 – Focus on what you appreciate in nature
  • Day 10 – Commit an anonymous act of kindness
  • Day 11 – Thank a veteran for their service
  • Day 12 – Ask what is good about your day

Today’s challenge is to combine any two previous challenges. For example, you could merge Day 8 and Day 9 by smiling while appreciating nature. You might also consider smiling all day without complaining. The choice is yours, and any combination is acceptable. The important thing is to spend part of your day focused on gratitude.

Day 12 -2024 Gratitude Challenge

Yesterday, I had coffee with friends, worked out, shared lunch with them, and watched college soccer (see above picture). It was nice to have a “free” day. I am grateful for everything I did yesterday.

One key element of the gratitude challenge is intentionally shifting your focus toward gratitude and positivity, rather than dwelling on negativity. This approach doesn’t imply that you ignore unpleasant aspects of life; instead, it represents a powerful realignment of your attention. Emphasizing gratitude can significantly enhance your overall outlook.

People often underestimate the impact of the words and phrases we use. Today, I will return to work, and I suspect some people will ask, “How was your weekend?” or “How was your day off from work?” These are well-intended questions that typically elicit basic responses such as, “Fine, thanks! And yours?”

The challenge we face today is to ask better questions and truly listen to the responses. What if we changed the question to, “What’s good today?” This simple shift is likely to elicit interesting replies that could lead to memorable conversations. Asking “What’s good today?” encourages each of us to focus on the positive and share uplifting thoughts. If someone asks how you are today, consider responding with just one word: “Grateful!”

Day 11 Gratitude Challenge

In 1918, at the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month, an armistice between the Allied nations and Germany took effect, officially ending what was known as “the war to end all wars.” While World War I officially ended several months later, it sod not end all wars.

My grandfather served in World War I. My father had his service during the Korean War deferred and served during peacetime. Many other relatives of mine have also served in the United States Armed Forces.

I’ve shared this story in the past, but it truly deserves to be told once more. Nearly two decades ago, I found myself in Washington DC with my wife and oldest son on a peaceful Sunday morning. As we wandered down to the new World War II memorial, I was filled with a sense of reverence. Just a short while after our arrival, a bus filled with World War II veterans pulled up. The sight of those 80 plus year old men having come to honor their shared sacrifices, moved me deeply.

As the veterans stepped off the bus, each was given a rose. It was a moving sight to witness many of them gently place the roses at the memorial, choosing spots that clearly held deep personal meaning for them. I took a photo of a gentleman walking slowly with a rose in hand, carefully deciding where to place it. Yet, what is etched in my memory is the poignant image of him and a few others standing together, reluctant to leave, tears in their eyes. The weight of their emotions in that moment was truly powerful.

I will never fully understand this gentleman’s journey during World War II, but my gratitude for his service is unwavering. I also deeply appreciate every veteran who has fought for our freedoms.

Today marks a well-deserved day off for many of us, a moment to relax and recharge. But let’s take a moment to reflect on what this day truly represents. It’s a chance to express our heartfelt gratitude to the brave individuals who have served our country, safeguarding the freedoms we hold dear. Their sacrifices have paved the way for us to enjoy our liberties, and today, let’s honor their commitment and valor.