Dare #1 - 2013: Gratitude

When it comes to life, the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude. Gilbert K. Chesterton 

A new year begins! Welcome to 2013. Hope and pray it is a good one for you and you feel 'daring'...ready to take on the 3 dares a month (with a bonus 4th one thrown in on occasion).

The first dare of the year will actually be something I hope you will do every day, or at least every week throughout the next 12 months. Yesterday, you were dared to get ready for it...you still have time. All you need is a notebook and pen, or jar/box of small pieces of paper and pen.

This dare is inspired by Ann Voskamp, a Canadian writer who a few moons ago was dared by a friend to make a list of 1000 things she was grateful for. Her list continues to this day with notebook after notebook filled, a book written and published, but more than that, her heart and life changed. You can check out Ann's story and beautiful thoughts and photos at http://www.aholyexperience.com 

Following Ann's challenge to write a list of 3 things every night (in that notebook or on the paper and pop it into your 'gratitude box/jar') I took up the challenge on my birthday last year and have just ticked over 300 on my list.

And what I am finding is that as I walk through the day looking for things I am grateful for, I see them. It lifts my spirits. It causes me to look beyond the dull, routine, negative and see so much more to be thankful for. And as I remember them as I get ready for bed each night, as I write 3 things down and then whisper my thanks to God for  His blessings, it is the best way to finish a day.

So Dare #1 for 2013...start your gratitude journal/jar or box. Every night, or at the end of each week, look back over the day(s) and make a list of at least 3 things you are grateful for.

Here's a sample from the past 100 days I have kept my journal: a dinner that worked, flexibility to change plans, a fresh strawberry sneakily picked, getting a ticket rather than being in an accident, curly blonde haired imp, fresh water, kangaroos grazing in my front yard to welcome the dawn, Christmas trees and decorations, kind words spoken and kindnesses shown, sand between my toes, thoughtful friends offering their help, smiles and laughter over things you can't even remember a few hours later, everything that is Fraser Island (ok, not the march flies), the first star at night, raindrops, raspberries in ice cream, a baby growing in my tummy, a husband who expresses gratitude, fairy lights, hope............

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

Blessings - Kirsty

PS - for those of you loving the current age of technology, feel free to keep your list on your phones, iPads, etc... Ann even has a 1000 gifts app you could download for free:)

PPS - please leave a comment below or on the I Dare You FB page.....you might even like to share your first 3 gratitudes for 2013 sometime this week.