What Do I Mean By “Count Your Challenges” During These 12 Days of Thanksgiving
This year, be thankful for your challenges. Give thanks for:
- The ups and down of life, which did more than cause you worries, they kept things interesting.
- The ups made us feel happy and
- the downs gave us hope, teachings and resilience.
How Has Your Faith Been Affected By Your Challenges
Think about your faith. Is it stronger? It probably is, because you were able to confirm for one more year, that no matter how big your challenges are/were/have been and how long they have lasted for, there’s light at the end of the tunnel.
Faith that isn’t challenged doesn’t grow and strengthen as fast. -Haydee Montemayor
And faith, is something that we can be thankful for.
Let’s Start Practicing Gratitude Right Now
I believe that it’s important to be thankful during the whole year but especially, during Thanksgiving.
- We should be thankful for the big things, such as our health, our family, our home, our income, our friends, and the love that we have, but most importantly, we should be thankful for the little things, which as you know, often end up being the biggest, most important things.
So, instead of spending too much time reading this post, I want you to spend this time instead reflecting upon what this year has been like for you now so that you continue cherishing it, and continue living it to its max.
How This Activity Will Work
You can either answer one question per day, from here to Thanksgiving Day and even after Thanksgiving because any day is a good day to give thanks or, if you prefer, you can answer all of these questions at once.
I highly recommend that you write down the answers to these questions either in your journal or even on app to take notes on your phone, so that you can fully process and record all of the ideas that will come to you as you do this activity.
In the future, you’ll be intrigued and fascinated by what you wrote.
Counting Your Challenges
In looking back on this year:
- What was the greatest trial you overcame?
- What was biggest fear you faced head on?
- What issue finally resolved itself this year?
- What lesson have all the recent challenges in your life taught you? Why do you think you went through what you did?
- Who are you grateful for that help you during this trying time?
- In what ways have these challenges improved your life?
Counting Your Blessings
Of course, I’m a firm believer that you don’t have to go through trials and tribulations to appreciate the good things in life. So take a moment to reflect upon the blessings that were given to you, like acts of grace. Looking back on this year:
- What was the greatest blessing you received this year?
- What was the kindest thing that you did for yourself?
- What was the greatest thing you did for others? (If you haven’t done anything yet, there’s still time).
- What was your favorite day this year and what was so great about it? What is the greatest memory you created?
- How can you express your gratitude to the people whom you most are thankful for?
- What lesson did love teach you?
Share The Gratitude
Depending on how public or private you are, you may share your answers to the 6 “count your blessings” questions above with your loved ones while sitting around your Thanksgiving table. I don’t think that you’ll want to share the answers to the 6 “count your challenges.” But if you do, go for it.
Instead of simply sharing your answers, encourage your loved ones to also participate. I think that you can learn a great deal about someone based on how they respond to these gratitude questions.
Who knows? Maybe one of their favorite moments may be with you, and if you didn’t take the time to share your ideas, you might not ever know it! And if they are a star in one of your most gratitude-filled moments, this is the perfect time to let them know how much they mean to you.
Either way, have a box of Kleenex available for all of your guests, you’ll probably need it.
It’s Your Turn To Share Your Wisdom, Or In This Case Gratitude Tokens
Before I invite you to share at least one response to any of the questions above, let me inform you that I’m very thankful for the people who read my blog.
Wishing you a Thanksgiving that provides you with the opportunity to reflect on all the beauty in your life!
