Last year, my dear friend (whom I dearly miss as she has moved far, far away), Jennifer, sent out this great email. It was a challenge of sorts (I think in the email it was called a game…whatever). So…I’m going to start right now because November 1st started 2 hours and 24 minutes ago.

ETA Jennifer’s intro: Well folks, the trees are changing colors, the days are getting shorter, and you can just smell autumn in the air. It’s time for jackets and pumpkins and the November Attitude of Gratitude Challenge. Participation is completely voluntary. For those of you who have not played before, the challenge is outlined below.

HERE’S HOW IT WORKS:
Each day during the month of November you will send an email to me, at least (note – I will be blogging rather than emailing), but feel free to invite others to participate and you can send your gratitude emails to them, as well.

Each daily email will contain three “things” for which you are grateful.

Definition of “things”- the term “things” is used here to encompass a myriad of stuff including, but not limited to: a certain set of circumstances, an event, an inanimate object distinguished from a living being, possessions or effects, a deed or act, a product of work or activity, an idea or notion, a piece of news or information, a person, a memory, anything that makes you smile.

* The challenge is to come up with three ORIGINAL “things” each day. Try not to repeat entries.
* Your email should be sent by midnight each night. If you miss a day or two, no biggie, but you have to make it up, no skipping! (Note: For some of you, this may require accessing your email account on a more regular basis.)

WARNING OF POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS!!
Please note that challenge participation may result in any or all of the following:
– you will be surprised at all the Lord has done for you.
– angels will attend
– you will feel help and comfort
– you may find yourself singing as the days go by
– your doubts will fly

To get you started, here is my list for today, November 1.

1. As much as I have whined about the grad school application process (and I am sure to whine about grad school itself), I am so grateful for the opportunity to even have grad school be an option. There’s much more I could say about that, but seeing as how I have 163 more things to come up with in the next month, I’ll leave it there.
2. I am grateful for deadlines. As stressful as they can be, eventually, they are gone. Today, for instance, is a deadline for two of my applications…and I am done with them (with 21 hours and 32 minutes to spare…go me). Deadlines were made for people like me. Without them, I would worry and correct and worry and reread and worry (and eventually die) trying to find exactly the right word, or the best presentation, etc. As it is, I am done with two applications. I felt good about 6 of the 8 essays, after several rewrites, many of which happened tonight.
3. I am grateful for my sister, Erika. She has been my cheerleader through this whole process. Don’t tell her, though. She kind of likes to think that she’s a jerk. Even tonight (this morning?), when she called me back after multiple frantic phone calls, she still had great advice. And her advice about my two crap essays. “Well, it’s only one at each school. And at least this way they’ll know that you didn’t pay some else to write them.

Funny thing, this gratitude stuff…I really could go on and on, but I will pace myself. I will say I’m super excited for tomorrow to come so I can post some more.