In 2011...

"I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder."
-G.K. Chesterton

In 2011, I will bask in gratitude. Gratitude... that's my word of 2011.

Flickr photo from Bahman Farzad.

Why gratitude?
Over Thanksgiving Break I was blessed by reading The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. Happiness is my lifetime goal (and always has been!). And, her journey to find happiness was eye-opening for me. One of the most important ah-ha moments I had was in Chapter ??, when she focuses on gratitude as an alternative to negativity.

I consider myself a rather optimistic person; however, lately with the stress and constant presence of schoolwork, I have found myself slipping into the "glass-half-empty" mindset more often. And, I'm just not ok with that. Even if there is just one drop left in the glass, my goal for this year is to think, "I'm thankful that there's one more sip that I get to enjoy!"

How gratitude?
Inspired by Gretchen's action plans and Christine Kane's "Do-Have-Be" model, I have brainstormed a few ideas to keep "gratitude" at the top of my mind.

1. Think "gratitude." When I sad/angry/mad/frustrated/[fill-in-the-blank-negative], my goal is to think of something to be thankful for.
2. Wear "gratitude." I will be designing a bracelet to wear everyday to remind to fall back on my word when I feel myself moving in the wrong direction.
3. Share "gratitude." I will be sending notes or letters to two people every month to tell how they have inspired me.
4. "Gratitude" marathon. The month of March--a difficult month in the life of a teacher-- (and maybe again in the fall) is designated as 31 days of gratitude. I'll photograph something everyday that makes me smile. [Inspired by this.]
   

When I told Rob about my resolution, he asked, "is this for when you get mad at me?" I answered truthfully, "Really it's easy to be thankful when it's you. And, it works, too. I'm hoping it works in other situations, too."

Sure, there are plenty of other little things that I want to do this year... simplify, organize, learn to work the manual settings on the camera, make friends, re-find joy in my job, host a party, be creative, and more. But, I'll be content just to be grateful for what I have, and what I am able to do. In my book, gratitude leads to happiness.

Winter wonderland...

"The first fall of snow is not only an event, it is a magical event. You go to bed in one kind of a world and wake up in another quite different, and if this is not enchantment then where is it to be found?"
-J.B. Priestley

One of the greatest highlights of the weekend was waking up to a snow-covered yard on Sunday. These South Georgia and Florida kids haven't seen much snow, so we quickly put on all of our many layers of clothes and headed out the door.

And, because I'm totally enthralled by the discovery of Animoto... here's another video montage of the memories.

Christmas Wrap-up...

"Probably the reason we all go so haywire at Christmas time with the endless unrestrained and often silly buying of gifts is that we don't quite know how to put our love into words."
-Harlan Miller

A little bit of drama, a little bit of love. Mix it up and you get the average holiday celebration at my in-laws. Here are some of the highlights:

Christmas Joy...

"I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month." -Harlan Miller

'Tis the season of peace. 'Tis the season of hope. 'Tis the season of love.
Merry Christmas to all of you from the two of us!
Wish we were celebrating with you!!

Let there be peace on earth...

"Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time."
-Laura Ingalls Wilder

We've been in South Carolina for three and a half days, and finally this afternoon it started to feel like Christmas. Up to now there's been a lot of complaining, negativity, and just being annoying for the hell of it.But this afternoon while Rob and his grandpa were out on the golf course, the merriment, sounds and smells of Christmas finally arrived at my in-laws' house. I was kneading dough for our homemade rolls tomorrow. My mother-in-law was cutting out sugar cookies for baking. And, my father-in-laws' baritone "How Great Thou Art" could be heard from the living room.It may not last long, so I'm going to cherish these few moments of peace on earth.