From My Perspective: November, A Month of Gratitude

November, of course plays host to Thanksgiving. For me, it's a sign that "fall" is really here. There is a quote I've seen over the last few years that says, "The trees are about to show us how lovely it is to let things go." Maybe that's why I think of fall as more of my new year, and a time of year that signifies new beginnings. What better way to start anew than to let go of the old?

As I began writing my column for this week, it occurred to me that with the weight of 2020, (and for a lot of us, this year has been very heavy), I noticed myself being weighted down, feeling grumpy, and often unable to let things go. To put it in very simple terms, I haven't been myself, and, by myself, I mean my positive-natured, happy, grateful self. Not to make excuses, but it has felt increasingly difficult to be those things in the world we're living in today.

That said, it reminds me of something I wrote about a couple of columns ago. It said something to the effect of, "Something, namely me, needs to change if I want it different somehow." What better way to jumpstart my desire for change than a month dedicated to being thankful as it leads to Thanksgiving?

If you're a friend or follow me on Facebook (Tammy Daugherty Jordan) or on Instagram (@goldieknotsmt), during the month of November, you'll see a daily quote on gratitude, along with a note about something I'm grateful for each day. I also went out and purchased a brand new journal – a gratitude journal, to begin my journey back to myself.

If you're not familiar with, or have never heard of a gratitude journal, let me explain. Several years ago, before I moved to Lincoln, I read a book by Rhonda Byrne called "The Secret." Most people have heard of that book, but she also wrote another book entitled "The Magic." That second book was life-changing for me. The basic gist, without giving too much away, is that in order to get the things we want in life (money, job, relationship, health, etc.) we first need to be grateful for the things that we have. Each day, for 30 days, there are exercises to help a person with specific areas they want to see improvement in. One of those exercises is to write 10 things you're grateful for each day, and the author mentions writing them in a journal. I dubbed mine "My Gratitude Journal" and proceeded to write in it for years...until I didn't.

When I started writing my daily gratitude list it was hard, I mean really hard. I would write things like "I'm grateful I woke up this morning," or "I'm happy and grateful I have food to eat." But, by starting with what seemed like things we should always be grateful for or other small things, I found myself feeling grateful for more. The key word in that last sentence, feeling. Studies have shown that feeling grateful gives off positive energy, which in turn brings more things to be grateful for. Yeah, for those folks who have a hard time wrapping their minds around the whole "Law of Attraction" element, this probably sounds like crazy talk. Let me briefly tell you my story, because I wasn't always a believer. In fact, my now ex-husband would probably have, and actually did, call me a cynic.

When I was first introduced to the Law of Attraction in the mid-2000's, I was broke, (while working three jobs), had a troubled child, which made for a troubled family, was in the beginning stages of a divorce and was about to lose my home. There was nothing in my circumstances at the time that screamed, "Be thankful for me." I mean not a darn thing, and finding something, like I said, was really hard.

Fast forward to me writing in that journal consistently, every day, for a month, then two, and so on. Things truly changed. Not all at once, and not all for the better, but in most things I saw improvement. I found myself going through my days looking for things to be grateful for...no traffic on my way to work, someone bought me lunch, a move to Montana and a fresh start, the ability to pay my rent, purchase groceries, send my daughter to Europe for her graduation present and other things.

Was this all because I was more grateful? I'd like to think so, and here's why: because when I stopped having an attitude of gratitude and appreciation, I found myself grumpy, cynical, tired and snarky. Some things began to revert, like not enough money, bad relationships, arguments with my kids and far more. My opinion? Being grateful brings me peace, makes me feel happy, and gives me reasons to look for more good.

So, no matter where you are or what's going on in your life, maybe, for the month of November, you can try to find the things to be grateful for. It's 30 days. Grab yourself 30 sheets of notebook paper or a journal if you feel compelled to get one. Then, write 10 things you're grateful for, each day for the whole month. See if things change and note if you feel any differently at the end of the 30 days. Ask yourself if it made you more hopeful or brought you more peace. My guess is if you stick with it for the month, you won't feel the same on November 30th as you did November 1st. I challenge even the cynics to give it a try. Seriously, what could it hurt? If, at the end of the month you find that you still feel the same, you haven't really lost anything except a little time writing some gratitude notes. But, if you do notice a difference, imagine what making it a daily practice could do for you and your future.

So, what are you grateful for today? Write it down and go from there.