Counting

I typically refuse to set New Years resolutions. I just know in the past, and from so many people around me, they don't stick. If someone wants to do something, or not do something, a New Years resolution probably isn't going to stop them. You have to really decide you want to change a certain thing more than how badly you want to be comfortable...and that doesn't happen necessarily on January 1st.

I'm not knocking people for making an effort and setting resolutions. I think that's better than not even trying. And some people do carry them out, which is even better. I just haven't had good results in my own life. Big changes have happened when I just finally got fed up with the way things were...and that can happen in any month of the year. 

This year is no different...I didn't set any resolutions. Exactly. I happened to come across a challenge, a dare I think it was called, while reading Ann Voskamp's blog. (Yes, yes, I'm a little obsessed with her writing right now. It's just so needed...just makes sense of things that didn't make sense before.)

Anyway, the dare is simply to count 1000 gifts throughout the coming year, usually 3 specific things each day to look for and document (although there's plenty more if you're really looking)...like for example yesterday was "something I'm reading, seeing, and making". The point is just to be aware, to notice, to be thankful for the everyday gifts that make you aware of the One who gives them.

So I decided to try it. I don't want it to be about checking three items off my list and making sure I've gotten that done. Even if I'm not meeting the daily guidelines, if I'm being more aware of the daily graces I'm so used to hurrying past, I'll call it a success.