Living Fully Right Where You Are

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ann

Eucharisteo- grace, thanksgiving, joy.

That is the word that the book, “1,000 Gifts; A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are” by Ann Voskamp, revolves around. I have been very, very slowly making my way through it. It has changed so much for me being a mom of little ones. I find that my days can feel so mundane. I feel like each day I can wake up to the exact same list of things to do, over and over, with only slight variations. It can feel daunting at times, and dare I say it, boring! This book was a breath of fresh air to me.

Ann Voskamp dares her readers to live fully right where they are. To embrace the word Eucharisteo and give thanks for all the small or big things they encounter, which in turn, turns into a life of joy. I think every person in the world could use a bit more joy…am I right?  Her “formula” for joy and living fully is so simple. Just start naming what you are thankful for.  She did it in her own life by starting a journal of things she was thankful for, and not stopping until she hit 1,000. Here were just a few that she wrote down:

1. Morning shadows across the old floors.

2. Jam piled high on the toast.

3. Cry of blue jay from high in the spruce.

16. Leafy life scent of the florist shop.

18. Wind flying cold wild in hair.

22. Mail in the mailbox.

54. Moonlight on pillows.

55. Long, lisped prayers.

56. Kisses in dark.

243. Clean sheets smelling like wind.

244. Hot oatmeal tasting like home.

Just like the simple, day to day things above, she encourages her readers to do the same. To stop. To notice. To appreciate. To give thanks. It’s beautiful. As she writes, she includes her own real- life stories that are heart-wrenching and hard. You cry with her and sympathize and in the next breath see the beauty of giving thanks in this messy life we live. It does have strong, Christian beliefs throughout, but is a great read and very challenging.

If you aren’t much into reading, my husband and I watched a movie last night about the same kind of thing called “About Time.” I don’t want to give away the movie, but if you want something that will help you to stop, really LIVE your moments, and see the beauty, this is it! 

Apart from the book and the movie, it’s a daily challenge for me to see through the mundane of my day into the beauty of it. Some days are easier than others, but I have been motivated to start a journal of my own of things I am thankful for. I know that I desperately need joy in my days. It’s what keep me sane and at peace with the busy flow of life. I will leave you all with a few things I’m writing down today:

Morning snuggles with a sick baby who only wants his mama

Bananas for when making breakfast is just too much

Waking up sore and with no room because our whole family slept in our bed last night

Clean clothes folded and stacked high by a hard working husband

A messy house showing me it is busy with sweet, precious, little ones

If you get a chance today, jot down a few things you are thankful for. You won’t regret it.

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