Author: HarrisGroup

JMH Blog

2024 Gratitude Challenge Day 3

“Mindfulness is the ability to be aware of what’s going on around us and in our bodies….it is the continuous awareness of our bodies, our emotions and our thoughts.” Thich Naht Hanh

How did Day 2 unfold for you? Were there any little details or standout moments that truly grabbed your attention? It’s so important to take a moment to acknowledge and celebrate those small, beautiful aspects of life that often go unnoticed. They can make all the difference!

I wandered outside for a refreshing walk and stumbled upon a group of fishermen reeling in a stunning catch. The thrill in the air was palpable, and it was a joy to witness their excitement firsthand. I’ve included a picture of their impressive haul at the top of this post—don’t miss it!

Today, embrace the present moment with mindfulness and gratitude. By immersing ourselves in the here and now, we free ourselves from worries about the future and reflections on the past. Let your focus shine on today.

2024 Gratitude Challenge Day 2

How did your Day 1 turn out? I found myself slipping into complaints a few times, but I quickly caught it and shifted my focus. Honestly, it made such a difference! Embracing positivity really turned my day around. How about you?

I apologize for getting this post out later than usual. I decided to embrace the joy of sleeping in. Last night, I attended a fantastic basketball game that stretched past my usual bedtime. Appreciating the little things, like giving ourselves the gift of rest is essential.

Today’s challenge is to embrace the beauty of life’s little things. Imagine how different life would be without them. With the weather promising to be lovely, I plan to take a long walk outside, observing the small and the big things around me.

Day 1 2024 Gratitude Challenge

Get ready for the fourth annual Gratitude Challenge! Today we embark on a transformative journey where each day will bring a new challenge to inspire gratitude. As you participate, take note of the profound effects it has on you and those around you. Consider inviting your family, friends, or coworkers to join you in this enriching experience. Although every person’s journey will be unique, by the end of this challenge, you can anticipate emerging as a better version of yourself—physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Exciting times are ahead!

While any time spent in gratitude is valuable, those who actively reflect on and record their feelings of thankfulness will experience the most profound benefits. I encourage you to embark on a daily journaling journey to capture your thoughts.

It’s important to acknowledge the negative things happening around us, but let’s not let them overshadow the positives. All too often, we find ourselves fixating on what’s wrong, and in doing so, we overlook the incredible moments and opportunities for joy that are right in front of us. Embrace the challenge of shifting your focus—your perspective can make all the difference!

Let’s embrace the challenge of day one with strength. It’s hard, if not impossible, to operate in a positive and a negative state at the same time. Don’t believe me? Sit or stand tall, put a big grin on your face, and try to feel unhappy.

For today, embrace a commitment to avoid complaining, whining, and negativity. Choose only positive words to express your emotions. At the end of the day, take a few moments to journal and reflect on how this challenge heightened your awareness of your words. Consider their impact on yourself and others. Did you observe a contrast between the power of positive words and the weight of negative ones?

2024 Gratitude Challenge

October 2020 was a particularly challenging time in my life. My wife, noticing that I was struggling, stepped in with immense love and support. She gifted me a 21-day gratitude challenge created by one of her coworkers. I’ve always appreciated the support she provides, but this gift truly stood out during a difficult period.

Initially, I was pretty skeptical about the whole idea. But my wife, always the optimist, encouraged me to give it a shot. On Day 1 of the challenge, we kicked things off with a strict rule: absolutely no complaining. Ironically, that was also the day my beloved Minnesota Vikings were set to clash with their arch-rivals, the Green Bay Packers. To my excitement, the Vikings came out on top! That victory sparked a noticeable shift in my mood and outlook, leaving me feeling surprisingly uplifted.

As I pressed on with the challenge, I noticed subtle changes along the way. However, it was towards the end that a significant breakthrough occurred. In the final days of the first challenge, I began a remarkable transformation in both my physical and mental well-being. It felt like a turning point, igniting a newfound energy and clarity I had never encountered before.

This past summer, I learned that the creator of the challenge unexpectedly passed away. Her memory has inspired me to take part again, even when I considered stepping back. I’m excited to embrace the journey starting November 1! Are you ready?

4 Years

As I post this, I will be on a reflective walk to remember a difficult time.

This is a story that many people have heard before. It all started on September 4, 2020, when my oldest brother tested positive for the Covid19 virus. This was a time when there were no known effective treatments or vaccines available. He had to isolate himself until he was no longer showing any symptoms. According to common wisdom, if you could make it through 11 days from the diagnosis without experiencing major symptoms, chances were that you would be fine. September 15 would be Day 11.

For the most part, I received good reports about my brother: oxygen levels were good, temperature was mostly good, and no breathing problems. I remained cautiously optimistic. We just needed to get to day 11.

On the afternoon of September 14th, I received a report that my brother was feeling a bit agitated and had a slight fever. He was given something to help reduce his temperature. I was disappointed he still had a slight fever as I wanted all symptoms gone. Unfortunately, this would be the last report I received.

At approximately 2:00 am, I was awoken by the sound of the doorbell and my dog’s barking. When I opened the door, I was met by a local police officer who delivered the unfortunate news that my brother had passed away in his sleep. Regrettably, he became the 200th person in South Dakota to succumb to COVID-19.

It’s been four years since this happened. This day brings up a lot of emotions, but most of all, I feel an overwhelming sense of sadness. I mourn the fact that my brother spent the last 10 days of his life in isolation. I grieve for the many who lost their lives to this virus. It’s heartbreaking that a virus became a tool for political gain. But above all, I miss my brother dearly. Although I didn’t visit him as often as I should have, he was always in my thoughts.

Memories of A Legend

A few days ago, I was saddened to hear about the passing of Phil Donahue. He was a trailblazing figure in the realm of daily television talk shows for close to three decades. Renowned for his timely and thought-provoking content, Donahue’s shows were not only engaging but also often sparked important discussions. One of his signature trademarks was conducting interviews while strolling through the studio, creating an interactive and dynamic atmosphere. His show was also known for actively involving the studio audience and taking phone calls from viewers.

Even though Donahue was talented, he wasn’t my preferred choice as an interviewer. In the photo above, Donahue is shown alongside my all-time favorite interviewer, my mother. I can still recall my mom’s infectious enthusiasm as she eagerly prepared for her trip to Chicago to meet and interview Donahue. After her return, her excitement remained as she vividly described the entire experience.

My mom had a real talent for connecting with people, whether they were everyday individuals or celebrities. Some might call me biased, but I truly believe she was even better at it than the famous talk show hosts. Luckily for me, being a mother was her true passion, and she excelled at that, too.

Even though I miss her dearly, I’m filled with immense gratitude for everything she brought into my life. The photo of Phil Donahue captures the same sentiment, radiating warmth and thankfulness. “With Gratitude”

Day 30 Final Day of Beautiful Things

This experiment started 30 days ago. It has been 30 days of searching for something beautiful. Today, while walking my dog along the bike trail, we saw a small white-tailed deer. It stood and stared at us before gracefully walking away. It was a moment of beauty.

Day 29 Beautiful Things

On days 1 and 2, I shared images of adorable ducklings. Today, I revisited them and was amazed by their growth and transformation over the past month.

Day 28 Beautiful Things

Life’s most beautiful moments are often the ones we least expect. During my walk today, I stumbled upon some vibrant red leaves on the ground. When I turned around, I saw this tree.

I don’t remember ever witnessing a tree in full autumn colors in the middle of August. Despite being unusual, it was truly breathtaking.

Day 27 Beautiful Things

Day 26 was an absolute whirlwind! While I didn’t get to spend as much time with my wife as I wanted to, I had some fantastic business meetings and organized a few meals with people who mean the world to me. There’s nothing quite like spending quality time with those you hold dear.