1000 Gratitudes

I am reading a book called, Living with Less so Your Family Has More by Jill and Mark Savage. What this book is not is a how to get rich quick, or how to have all the toys for less money. It is about learning to be content with what we have, and learning to live with less stuff, so we have more time to enjoy with our family and reaching out to others. It's about Gratitude. Chapter 4 especially (I'm actually only on Chapter 5) really drove some things home for me as to why I allow myself to become discontent.

1) I believe the siren call of advertising. Although we don't watch television, bigger, better, newer, is out there everywhere I/we look. Even some of the blogs I've read are always touting better, smarter, more fashionable, (more expensive).

2) I get "introduced" to something better. I'm trying to come up with an example of something I want (notice I didn't say need), but I honestly can't think of anything at the moment, so I'll use the example in the book. HD television. once you view a movie or show on an HD tv, it is very difficult to appreciate one's little ole colour tv that has served them well for so many years.

3) I get caught up in the comparison trap. This would be my biggest short coming, but I am learning that there is no comparison. A lot of it depends on priorities. What is a priority to me is far different than what is a priority to someone else. Sure, I like the "stuff" too, but for our family the stuff is not the priority, other things like our new daughters in the Philippines are what is most important.

Chapter 4 continues with how to find contentment.

1) Live beyond the temporary. Oh, this is sooo hard to do sometimes, but when we can think of the eternal, the temporary definitely takes second place.

2) Move from own to loan. "There isn't anything we have that God hasn't given to us. God owns it all; He's just lending some of it to us. He asks us to be good stewards -- or caregivers -- of what He has lent to us while we live on this earth. Psalm 24:1 (NIV) tells us, "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world and all who live in it.""

3) Learn to give. God gives to us so that we can give to others. Learn to tithe. Offerings are what we give to others over and above a tithe.

4) Praise God.  "God is worthy of our praise. He has given us so much." Participating in the Gratitude Community has helped me get out of a rut of ungratefulness to see that God has blessed me/us so abundantly.

5) Grow a thankful heart. Again, the Gratitude Community.

6) Live within your means.

7) Accept your circumstances. "Contentment isn't always about the material things we do or don't have. It's also about our lot in life. Live today fully! Don't wish it away or discount it because it looks different than you thought it would."

8) Accept your differences. (This is talking as spouses). "Our differences balance us out in many ways, but we end up trying to change each other because were not content."

Chapter 5 is about sacrifice. Hmmm, should be good... For now, here are my gifts from our Creator from the past two weeks:

An Ontario Government that thinks we're acceptable parents ;o).

A touch of snow to enjoy.

Indian summer days.

Foggy mornings that make us feel like we're living in a secret world.

A long walk with a friend and our hounds.

Squash prepared in a variety of ways. We love squash.

Celebrating birthdays.

Jena's zucchini cake recipe. We LOVE this recipe. Thank you for posting it Jena!

Chickadees at our bird feeder.

Visits with some of our church shut ins. It is so special to visit with them and share together.

Getting to spend an evening with a wonderful family that we met on Twitter. Yes, on Twitter! We DO have a mutual friend in common, so we all knew it was safe to meet.

A Gotcha Day for a family who is just home from the Philippines. What would I do without the blogging world ;o)?

A match for another family who has been waiting 29.5 months for their little one.

Catching up with a university friend! It was sooooo good to hear from her!

The Engineer is home safe and sound again from another business trip.

An addition that is slated to start hopefully sooner rather than later.

Meals that can be made quickly and are still healthy.

Newborn babies. Mmmm, I love those weee precious bundles of warmth.

The silence that pervades the house on school days. I used to detest it. Now I am almost used to it and in fact treasure it at times.

Looong Sunday afternoon naps.

A migraine that stayed away when I needed it to,

and didn't get bad enough to require a hospital visit.

My rice cooker. What a great little appliance!

Fun finds at the thrift store.

Turtle neck sweaters.

Super easy care kitchen hardwood flooring. (I will miss it when it's gone)!

A very busy week this past week. So glad it's over, but thankful that it was productive too.

Casseroles made and frozen for later use.

Children who make good decisions.

Children who work hard.

Christian music that our whole family enjoys.

Tissues for my endlessly drippy allergic nose. Cats and I do not get along :oS.

Sunshiny mornings.

Maple syrup.

Thanking God for His gifts to us #'s 856- 889.