Category: Gratitude Challenge

Day 23 Gratitude Challenge

Today is the annual day of gratitude in the United States. The first national day of Thanksgiving was first declared by George Washington in 1789. Yet, it was during the civil war that it seemed to take hold in the United States. My hope is you all will take time to reflect on all that is wonderful in your life.

Today, many of us will gather with family and friends to watch football, tell stories, eat turkey, and enjoy our blessings. The challenge for today is to read the below statements, watch the WKRP Thanksgiving Episode (which is loosely based on events in South Dakota), love your friends and family, and be grateful for all you have.

The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature that they cannot fail to penetrate and even soften the heart which is habitually insensible to the
ever-watchful providence of Almighty God.
In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign states to invite and provoke their aggressions, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere, except in the theater of military conflict; while that theater has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.

Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defense have not arrested the plow, the shuttle, or the ship; the ax has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege, and the battlefield, and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.
No human counsel hath devised, nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.

It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefullyacknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American people. I do, therefore, invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a Day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens. And I recommend to them that, while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows,
orphans, mourners, or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty hand to heal the wounds of the nation, and to restore it, as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes, to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility, and union.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the city of Washington, this third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the United States the eighty-eighth.


Abraham Lincoln
By the President: William H. Seward. Secretary of State.

Day 22 Gratitude Challenge

I wasn’t alive when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. I have talked with many that were. It is a day they will never forget.

Today marks the 60th anniversary of his assassination. One could write extensively about the events of this day. It was a tragic day in American history.

There are two parts of today’s challenge. First be grateful for democracy and elected officials. Our democracy only works if we have good people willing to serve. Write a note or make a call to at least one elected official thanking them for their service. Second, today is a pay it forward day. Buy coffee, breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a snack for at least one person today. This can be somebody special or a stranger.

Day 21 Gratitude Challenge

It’s a busy week but I always have time for gratitude. In today’s environment, it often to find fault with where you live. Perhaps the weather is less than ideal, or the politics, or the economy, or some of the people. Yet we choose to live here. Why? If you look around, there many great things about where you live. My city has nice parks, bike trails, and Sioux Falls. There is wonderful art downtown. We have many very good restaurants with a wide variety of choices for differing tastes. Our airport has nice connections to major airports for the times I want to travel. Sunsets are often stunning. What are you grateful for in your hometown? Make a top 10 list and share it with others.

Day 20 Gratitude Challenge

It is easy to think of the wonderful things that happened in life. Sometimes we may need a gentle reminder of all that we have. For most of this challenge, the focus is on good things and good actions in life. This is intended to serve as a the gentle reminder of the good already present in life.

However, we all know that life is all rainbows, puppy dogs, disco dancing, and Viking wins. Life is full of challenges and sometimes the Vikings lose. This gratitude challenge was born from one of those times in 2020. The Fall 0f 2020 was one of the darkest times in my life.

But as the saying goes, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Today, take time to think about the challenges you have overcome in life. Be grateful for the challenges, the lessons they have taught you, the skills you have gained, and t he resilience you have built.

Day 19 Gratitude Challenge

It’s hard to believe that four years ago, I took and posted a picture that changed everything. It was during my first gratitude challenge.

I remember being in my backyard and taking the picture. It was an unseasonably warm November day similar to yesterday. I decided to post the picture with some clever words related to my teaching in a hoodie. Early in my teaching career, I was strictly a suit and tie person. So to teach class in a hoodie was out of character. But this was also at the height of the pandemic, and I was teaching online, so everything seemed out of character. Attached to the post where the following words:

I’m teaching class today in my @augievolleyball hoodie Why?

  1. Because I love the coaches and players
  2. Because I can!
  3. It’s a great day!
  4. My @augieutennis hoodie is worn out
  5. It’s the only Augie hoodie I have
  6. My mom will probably appreciate a picture of me.

What followed was unexpected. As I looked at the picture, I barely recognized the person in it. I knew something needed to change. It is amazing how motivating a picture can be.

I decided to lose weight and take control of my health. I began the process alone, I told no one what I was doing. I set a goal weight which I thought was ridiculous. Over the next five months, I lost approximately 60 pounds. Though I have gained a few pounds back, I am still 50 pounds lighter than this picture (interestingly I am at the original goal weight). I am healthier. I feel better. I have less pain. I sleep better. For all these things I am grateful.

The challenge today is to give thanks for unknown blessings already in their way. Bonus challenge is to pay it forward. By a stranger coffee or a meal. Have a great day!

Day 18 Gratitude Challenge

Yesterday was a great day, I had chances to help people at work. I had great conversations with friends. I had a date with my wife at a restaurant we had not been to before.

But as wonderful as yesterday was, many of my conversations involved things that were not pleasant. One conversation talked about the dynamics of a dysfunctional relationship . Another conversation was about how to deal with aging and ailing parents. And yet another conversation dealt with the struggles of ailing spouses.

As I reflected on the day, I focused on all that have. Yet, I also thought about the situation of my friends. Like my friends, my life is not perfect. It would be easy to focus on the imperfections and flaws. Yesterday, I chose gratitude rather than negativity and it made all the difference.

Todays challenge is to do focus on health. Starting small by being grateful for air in my lungs, a beating heart, the gift of senses, and the ability to move with little pain. My health is infinitely better than it was four years ago when I started this challenge and for this I am grateful. I take time today to focus on your health and be grateful for what you have. If you can improve your health, do something today.

Day 17 Gratitude Challenge

It’s Day 17 of the challenge and it is Friday. I will admit that I am tired and a little cranky. It has been a long week. This is exactly when I need gratitude challenge and its call to action. If nothing else, the challenge is a daily reminder of choice. I can choose gratitude or not. It is entirely my choice.

Today, all you need to do is embrace gratitude all day. My agenda today is packed with appointments, some business and some personal. I am grateful for each one because it means I am alive and working.

Be grateful for your family, friends, bed, warm shower (unless you are into the cold plunge), coffee, food, water, music, podcasts, art, books, or whatever. Just be grateful all day…and try to be a little annoying about it. If someone asks you why you seem so happy, tell them you are grateful and list all the reasons you are grateful. Schedule hourly check-ins with yourself and others. Have a great weekend.

Day 16 Gratitude Challenge

Are you aware of what is going on around you? How much of life do you see? I spent some time today “observing” people. It was interesting how many weren’t actually present. It seems that more often than not our eyes are glued to an electronic device. I am guilty of this – just ask my spouse.

The power of human interaction is undeniable. Last weekend my wife and I visited our youngest son. We loved spending time with him. Yesterday, I had coffee with a regular group. It was a great conversation about various issues. Time spent with family and friends.

The challenge today is to pay attention to the people around you. Give sincere and genuine compliments. We never know what someone else is going through. Perhaps your compliment might be the thing they need to hear today.

Warning, this may be a more difficult than you think. If you don’t ordinarily pay attention to people, you will have to break that habit. Additionally, paying a genuine compliment (without being creepy) is harder than you think.

Perhaps start with your closest friend or family member. What is something you genuinely love about them? Example: My spouse always gives people the benefit of the doubt. Such a compassionate and optomistic approach. Avoid comments about physical appearance.

Have a little fun with this one. Also, don’t forget to incorporate three other challenges into your daily routine.

Day 15 Gratitude Challenge

Today is a very important day in the gratitude challenge. We have reached the midpoint of the gratitude challenge. If you have done the challenge every day, you should notice a change in your attitude, habits, and overall demeanor. This is something to celebrate!

But today is also import because today his birthday. He would have been 63 today. I can’t change what happened and I am still sad he is gone. I am writing about my oldest brother Jeff who died in September 2020 from Covid. The picture is me of the last ones I took of him. Today, be grateful for your siblings if you have them.

I wrote the below words in the day we buried him. I have slightly edited as some of it as Covid-19 is not the danger it once was.

“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.

If you ever met my brother, you saw the light in his eyes, his smile and his face. He ALWAYS smiled when he saw me. His smile was one of pure joy and it was infectious. I never knew what he was verbalizing but he let me know it was damn funny though his laughter. Jeff had a very serious side too. He often appeared to be in deep thought. Because of the communication barrier, I will never truly know what he thought about.

My brother was and is my foundation. He provided unconditional love. He never told me I should have visited him more (I should have). He never critiqued my gifts to him (some were bad). He just loved me and hugged me the same every time.

He is the reason I am who I am. He was born with a little too much DNA on his 9th chromosome. Without that extra DNA, I never get a chance to become his brother. He taught me more than I will ever be able to express. He taught me about love, forgiveness, compassion, understanding, respect, perseverance and perspective. He taught me that EVERY person has value.

Thank you to those who have reached out with condolences. Your words, thoughts and prayers are helpful. Many have asked how they can help. Here is how you can help:

Love and forgive those around you
Wash your hands regularly
Be kind to all
Be physically distant from each other (At least 6 feet)
Smile at somebody today

Finally, eleven days have passed since my brother died. It was ten days from his diagnosis of COVID to his death. It also took ten days for the state to officially acknowledge his death in the COVID statistics (take from that what you wish). This virus is not fake. It is highly contagious. It’s deadly. Don’t believe me? Today I buried my brother.”

Day 14 Gratitude Challenge

I often find Mondays a challenge due to numerous meetings and things that popped up over the weekend. Yesterday was no exception. I didn’t do as well as I could have following my own challenge. Plus I reread yesterday’s post and feel I left too much out. I try to keep these posts short and to the point. Yesterday’s post was too short for the points I hoped to make.

I want to elaborate on the key elements of this gratitude challenge. First, I hope to perform each challenge throughout the day on the day it is posted. It is essential to take the action as I believe action leads to change.

Second throughout the day (and hopefully every day), I take time to reflect on my actions. How did the actions impact me? Did my action impact others? How so? For instance, if I asked someone “What is good today?” Did that generate an interesting conversation?

Finally, and this is the hardest part for me, take time to record my thoughts. One can do this through a written journal, computer file, or a recorded memo. But writing it down forces me to process it. I prefer the written journal but often do it on the computer.

I will give a brief example of an experience today. After work, I asked my wife “What was good today?” I thought it was a slam dunk question because just moments before she was praising the brussels sprouts, broccoli, and vegetable medley I had prepared for dinner. Her response was “Nothing!” Our conversation improved from there but it was interesting. Our conversation focused mostly on all that we had which put both of us in a better mood.

As the other part of yesterday’s challenge, I limited my complaining, tried to be more present and mindful throughout the day, and thought about the positive impacts on my life. Overall, a win.

The challenge for today is to pick any three previous challenges and incorporate them into your day along with thinking about your own strengths and talents. What strengths and talents are you grateful for?

As implied above, it can be easy to focus on what we don’t have and/or want. We often take for granted what we do have. One of my strengths is my passion for photography. Most pictures posted in this blog, I have taken. But few know that I received the Outstanding Disco Dancer award in 4th grade…and based on my blog statistics, the number of people who know will remain low! Have a great day!