Moments of Beauty: A Peek Into My August Gratitude Practice

Hello my lovelies! Some of you may remember that last month I started a gratitude practice. We’ve all heard about the far-reaching benefits of gratitude (it’s been found to boost happiness, strengthen relationships and more) but keeping a gratitude journal can seem like just one more thing to do. Since accountability can help cement a new habit, sharing my list is a good way to boost the chances that I will continue making gratitude a regular practice in my life. Why don’t you join me?

I had an idea that recording my list on twitter would be a quick and easy way for me to keep up with what had been a spotty-at-best practice, but after testing it out for about a month I’ve decided it’s not for me. Instead, I’ve been keeping a running list in my bullet journal, and I’ll share a segment here each month.

Here are a few little moments of beauty I captured this August…

Little pink baby cheeks and toes on a wee niece.

Finding independent bookstores wherever I travel. It feels like home.

Sand and sea as far as the eye can see.

Big wedges of watermelon on the deck, juice dripping down arms.

Being with so many favorite people, all under one roof.

Heirloom tomatoes from my mother in-law’s garden, carefully packed and driven all the way down the eastern seaboard.

5pm on the deck of our rented beach house, icy G&T in hand.

Finding a Little Free Library specifically for children’s books!

Learning to run.

Waking up at first light, dawn on the beach, just me and the dolphins.

Sunrise over the ocean, all quiet where the wild horses roam.

Fresh heirloom apples, first of the season from our favorite farm.

Honey bee crossing! Homemade sign declaring the presence of a thriving hive.

Saturday morning, fresh coffee, stack of cookbooks. Listing favorite recipes to make this fall.

Escaping town for the cool blue of the reservoir, lush green trees, lizard spotting with my son.

Finishing a book that feels so satisfying you can’t imagine picking up another one.

Camping with old friends. No cell service. Lots of stars.

Look for themes to boost your joy.

Looking back at this list, I’m noticing nature, fresh seasonal foods, and books. (No surprise there, hah!) If you make your own list, reflecting on any themes that crop up can be illuminating: if there are certain things, people, or experiences that tend to light you up and bring you joy, why not make room for more of the same? Intentionally choosing to do small things that make us happy (and increase feelings of gratitude) is a wonderful way to gradually move your life into alignment with your truest callings.

What are you grateful for? Feel free to link to your own gratitude list in the Comments.

Moments of Beauty: July Gratitude List

We've all heard that gratitude can do us good — expressing a thankful appreciation of what we receive has been shown to boost happiness, improve health, strengthen relationships, and help us deal better with adversity. In an effort to develop my own gratitude "muscle", I've started keeping a gratitude list. But instead of writing a list on paper, I'm tweeting gratitude. Since I nearly always have my phone within reach (for better or for worse...) this has actually felt easier than past attempts. I've simply been recording the little moments of beauty and meaning, as they occur to me.

Each month I'll be sharing my list on the blog, and I invite you to do the same if you feel inspired to join in. Now, on with the list...

In July I am grateful for...

Trader Joe's coconut cold brew on ice in my favorite blue mason jar.

Having a child old enough that I can bring a book to the park — and actually sit back and read.

Knowing there are wise women like @corrigankelly out there in the world sharing their gifts.

Spending a summer Monday morning learning magic tricks with my son.

Afternoon sun, making everything it touches gleam like liquid gold.

Running for 20 minutes — without walking once — for the first time ever.

Picking flowers from our front yard to press: California poppy, rose, lavender, and sage.

Enriching my life (and my reading list) with the bookish community that is the Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club.

Ice-cold beer with a wedge of lime, a fresh stack of books from the library, and the whole weekend stretching out ahead.

Beautiful silver-haired lady riding her bike - fast! - by the shoreline, pure bliss.

Our Sunday night agenda: Quick pickles, grass-fed beef burgers on the grill, watermelon for dessert. Yes.

All the July tomatoes.

There are over 25 (what!?) Little Free Libraries now in my hometown. One of these days I’ll take a walking tour of all of them.

Standing in my kitchen, snap the stem away, inhale: the scent of tomato vines brings me right back to my grandfathers garden.

Peeking into all of the beautiful front yard gardens in my neighborhood. Summer flowers abound.

Finding a fairy door, carefully constructed and complete with spiral staircase and deck, attached to the side of an oak tree.

The moment my husband comes home, hops off his bike, and unloads a secret treasure trove from his bag: piles of juicy, perfectly ripe stone fruit from the farmer's market.

photo: LUM3N on Unsplash

What are you grateful for? Feel free to link to your own gratitude list in the Comments.