I was listening to the radio a few weeks back and it was just around the United State celebration of Thanksgiving and the announcer said something about being thankful everyday not just on Thanksgiving. I began thinking about that and then something that profoundly changed. I realized while I am truly grateful, I am not always living out that gratitude. As I pondered this thought I decided to do something about it and I am calling it
THANKS LIVING!
I have found that when I take time every day to see what I have to be thankful for I am happier. My family is happier-when I take time to realize what wealth of blessings are in my life I find joy! I want to share that joy with YOU! I want us always to remember the things big and little that I have to be grateful for each day.
It is with that thought; I am proposing a year- long endeavor. A journey of Thanks Living. I know it is hard to keep up with things so I hope to encourage you with some great prizes and fun challenges that will additionally serve as a way to teach some basic design principles.
I will begin posting the challenges Jan 2012 - a Year of Thanks Living... but there is a little PREP work, so for these last few weeks of December, I would love to see you use a journal/ notebook and begin to create a habit of Thanks Living.
Use your daily journal and create a list of Thanks Living-- as simple as ONE sentence that reports at least ONE thing to be thankful for each day (this will be the first "challenge" to begin your thanks living list and perhaps decorate your journal if you would like to. An altered journal is not required, just fun! ).
In your list, you may be thankful for your family, but in your sentence please describe WHY you are thankful for them.
I will do my very best to remind you every day on the boards to simply write one or two things each day that support your Thanks Living!
Beginning in January-WE will:
3. Of course, everyone will POST ALL Thanks Living layouts so we can learn from eachother!
At the end of the year:
The 12+ layouts you create will then be combined into a "year-long" Thanks Living album (of course you can add more layouts if they chose, but a minimum of 12 layouts.)
Each month I will by random drawing of each participant award a prize. Also at the end of the Year, we will chose a grand prize winner from anyone that completes at least 6 of the challenge layouts.
While it is not required, it would be very beneficial for the players to be members of CLUB CK (easy free membership) . Creating Keepsakes Magazine has been a blessing in my life for many years! I want to be sure to say, that as always, Creating Keepsakes Magazine will serve as a great deal of inspiration for this challenge and I hope to bring a warmth and sense of community into your lives as we all share together in our journey of Thanks Living.
I look forward to this challenge with all of you. We will be having some very special prizes along the way. I am so excited
Blessings my friends!
e
PS-- I blinkie is on the way! Thanks to the amazing people at CK!
I HAVE DECIDED TO LINK EACH CHALLENGE BACK TO THIS POST SO IF YOU ARE NEW YOU CAN FIND THE CHALLENGES... REMEMBER IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO START A LIFE OF THANKS LIVING SO JUMP IN NO MATTER WHEN IT IS..
Thanks Living Challenge # 1 - Principles of Lines
Scrappy=Happy MY NEW BLOG CHECK IT OUT HERE!
Erika - I am so excited by your new challenge. I know I often get wrapped up in the little things - and forget to be thankful every day. THANK YOU!!!!
2012 cards: 33 2012 LOs: 75 2012 Christmas cards: 35 Throwdown goal: 31/50
wow! this sounds awesome! thanks for doing this erika! what a great way to start the new year and carry it throught the whole year!!
Kelly http://blsd2scrp.blogspot.com/
I think this sounds AWESOME! Its so easy to get caught up in everyday things and forget what is truly important! I can't wait to try and do this everyday and make sure the people around me know how much i am thankful for them not only one day a year but everyday! Thank you Erika im looking forward to playing along!
Casey
Check out my blog: http://caseroo7.blogspot.com/
Wow Erika! What an incredible idea and doable. Thank you, and I know what I will write for today! I am looking forward to the first challenge. Is this what you needed to know if we wanted to be a part of?
Devra My Blogs : My Creative View Beach Girl At Heart
YTD Completed LO's: 93 Throwdown Lottery 31/50
WOOOOOOOHOOOOOO Erika!!!!! I am excited to see what you have been working on!!! A journal...............what is that????? I have never used one???? This will be a learning experience for me!!!!! I will get a journal Sat. when I visit town and keep it on my desk sooooooo I remember to write in it every night! Can't wait to see what's next!
MY BLOG: http://cozienookhomestead.wordpress.com
2012 Pages Completed: 59
2012 Cards Completed: 15
Throw down Lottery Goal: 16/30
This sounds like a great idea! I hope I can keep up with it all year!
Spending Freeze 2011: 365 days! One full year of NO scrappy spending for myself!!!!
2012 goal: 140 Layouts
Throwdown Lottery Challenge: 0/20
Sounds fabulous! Thanks Erika!
Throwdown Team P3! Goal 30 -- complete 9
This sounds great -- I'm looking forward to it! But I so stink at being consistent in a journal. :-D
Andrea
My Blog: http://ladyofthelakeslog.blogspot.com/
Throwdown Layout Lottery: 59 of 50 completed and posted
A question -- is this in addition to or replacing the Issue Challenge?
Sounds fabulous! I even have an extra composition journal left to alter.
Your blinkie doesn't seem to be working though
Laura
http://happinessequalscreation.blogspot.com/
Very cool idea Erika!! This will be a little out of my realm of comfort, since most of my layouts focus on my kids and not my feelings in general, but I am looking forward to it!!
BLOG: The Paper Doll
Moongirl: Sounds fabulous! I even have an extra composition journal left to alter. Your blinkie doesn't seem to be working though
Blinkie is forthcoming.. it is being made.. or at least I tried and failed and Jennafer Martin was kind enough to get me one going! THANKS Jennafer
Erika H: Moongirl: Sounds fabulous! I even have an extra composition journal left to alter. Your blinkie doesn't seem to be working though Blinkie is forthcoming.. it is being made.. or at least I tried and failed and Jennafer Martin was kind enough to get me one going! THANKS Jennafer
Gottcha! I thought the empty/no photo spot was a bad connection
Ladyofthelake: A question -- is this in addition to or replacing the Issue Challenge?
in addition to the ISSUE challenges.. AND this is a monthly challenge verses a weekly challenge... I don't think I could ever stop the ISSUE challenges.. they are too much fun