Awe, November! A Time of Thanks & For Mamas to Lose Their Minds. . .
It feels as if we prepped for Halloween for months with decorations, brainstorming costumes and picking out the perfect trick or treating route for the kids. The crazy moments and fun adventures of Halloween are but a memory. All but leftover cobwebs and plastic spiders begging the answer of, “How the heck did we get that up there to begin with?!” AND the bags of candy to promise the onset of the true Holiday Season. November! November 1st brings an explosion of Christmas lights and decor in almost every store across America! And if hasn’t already happened with Halloween, the pressure starts to build for parents. And mamas. . . we start to lose it. Ha!
Christmas decorations, lights, shopping for presents and honestly, where on earth are the kids (or husband) NOT going to find them this time? Figuring out what to get everyone on your list, who to put where, and how to create some sort of organization when you have visitors in your home. . . the list goes on. Our minds become a constant land of chaos. . . . Not to say these things aren’t important to many of us. But is it the most important? (And hold on a sec. . . what happened to Thanksgiving!?)
I for one have definitely found myself losing it down that rabbit hole more than once! But, the one thing that I absolutely love about November is that it’s a Time of Thanks. In the same breath, it’s a time to start reflection. I know many say, reflection is for January. I say, “Why wait?” At least the last couple of years, I’ve really found myself reflecting this time of year and truly counting my blessings, or at least trying to. . .
Even when it’s a hard year with stress and challenges piling up, taking the time to reflect and find things I’m grateful for each day has been HUGE. I was impressed to learn that November is actually recognized as a time of thanks throughout the world.
“A grateful heart is a magnet for miracles” – unknown.
“A grateful heart is a happy heart” – unknown.
“The struggle ends when the gratitude begins” – Neale Donald Walsh
It’s no secret. . . gratitude can lead to so much happiness in our lives. In turn, it can lead to less stress and a healthier life. Why do we leave it to just one month!? This year one of my biggest goals has been to be more mindful of having a grateful life. Some days this is much easier said than done. On those days that I truly stop and try to fill my heart with thanks, I have noticed a big difference in my energy and how much my stress level decreases.
My goal this November is to carve out a little time each day to be thankful, to truly count my blessings. That’s my November Challenge. What do you think? Want to dive in with me? Write it in a journal or perhaps on post-its and put them up around the house. Fold them up and put them in a jar to look at later. Whatever works for you. What are you grateful for? And what changes may you see in your life if you can fill it with gratitude?
I’d love to hear about the blessings in your life. Comment below and let me know what’s in your heart. Rather than the crazy stress of the holiday season quickly approaching, let’s focus on those things we’re grateful and happy for in our lives. I’d like to start with this. . . I am grateful for my family. I am grateful for food on the table and a roof over our head. And I am truly grateful for each of you! You, reading and subscribing to my blog. . . You make up a big part of my Classy Mama Bear Family and I am more grateful for each of you than you’ll ever know. And if you’re not already subscribed, be sure to subscribe below (or on the side if you’re on a computer). I’d love to add you to the Fam!
XOXO,
Classy Mama Bear
