There's really just one criterion she gives herself: be specific.
It's been about a year since I read her book, but the theme keeps nagging at me--what would it look like to live a life that's truly grateful?
I was curious. But I also knew I needed ways to practice this thankfulness on a daily basis. Voskamp had her journal. I needed something concrete, too. And, specially, how could I incorporate it into my teaching? Because that's basically my life right now.
This semester I'm trying out two ways to be thankful as a teacher. Now, mind you, the semester has only just begun, so I hope this post isn't premature. But, I've already started to see a change in my attitude...
Discipline #1: Two Students a Day

So, I needed a way to narrow down my focus somehow. I bought a spiral notebook with index cards and wrote two students' names on each card. Every morning, I flip over a card and see two students whom I purpose to be thankful for that day. Some mornings, I see the names and think, "Well that's easy! These kids are awesome." Some days it takes me a while to come up with specific things I'm thankful for in those students. But I'm liking the challenge. And I do think it's changing me for the better.
Discipline #2: One Good Thing

Part of the reason I'm sharing these two disciplines is because now that I've put it out there, I have an even bigger motive to stay consistent. I hope I can continue these practices through the end of the year, and then reflect and see if they've changed me. Time will tell...
Love this, Rebecka. I'm going to do this too!!! :)
ReplyDeleteYou just made me feel significantly more normal, Kailee! Let me know how it works for you/what ideas you have to make it better. Aaaand, you should totally be writing for the one good thing blog!
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