A while back, I had written about starting to record a few things each day that I was thankful for, and seeing whether doing that seemed to have any point. I'm not sure when exactly that was, it was either near the end of summer or the start of fall, but now it's the start of winter, and here I am still faithfully recording each day at least 3 things that I am thankful. I don't anticipate that changing anytime soon, either.

When I first started, it was as a bit of an experiment, to see whether or not it really made a difference. And I have to admit, at first it felt a bit trivial. However, I decided to give it a little longer, and set a few ground rules for myself, like choosing to write at least 3 things I was thankful for, but not feel pressured to write more. I know for a fact that there were a couple days where I was just thankful for a cup of coffee, for the sun shining through the leaves walking between classes, or having a good laugh with a friend-- nothing endlessly deep, but things that had genuinely made my day better. And soon I started to notice something that I think is really cool: during the day I was noticing myself thinking Wow, I am so thankful for this, I can't wait to write it down tonight. Things that previously I probably would have passed by or taken for granted, I had started actively noticing and being thankful for.

Even today, as I was settling down in a room in the library to write this, I was feeling pretty overwhelmed, because that's simply how Sundays are if I am going to stay on track in my classes and allow myself to have fun at times. But as I glanced out the window, I suddenly saw these beautiful snowflakes timidly falling, with an evergreen tree towering up into the big grey sky. And I couldn't help but stop, smile, and think about how thankful I am for these big windows in the library that make all the homework and studying a little more tolerable. Instead of stressing about homework, for a moment, I felt peace.

I have found myself stopping, slowing down, and appreciating things more than I may have otherwise, especially when I'm feeling down or stressed. I remember I was having a bad day last week, and was in a pity party of sorts when I was walking back to my dorm. It was frigid out, dark, and I was sad. But then suddenly I saw the soft glow of the streetlamp, and the flakes of snow falling oh so gently, and the quiet stillness of the night air felt more like a blessing suddenly, and not so lonely as before. And I was so thankful for being witness to such a beautiful moment, that I wasn't so focused in on myself anymore, and I felt a bit better.

So I choose to continue to make the effort each night to think of at least 3 things, big or little, that I am thankful for each day, because I am noticing a change in myself that I really like. And I challenge you to try this as well, especially if you never have before, or if you've given up on it-- give it a few weeks, but soon you may start to notice little things in your day, and find yourself smiling a little more, with a little more joy in your heart. And sometimes that can make all the difference.