According to a 2005 article published online at Psychology Today, they list seven benefits of cultivating gratefulness. One that has significance for me right now is:
“Gratitude increases mental strength. For years, research has shown gratitude not only reduces stress, but it may also play a major role in overcoming trauma. … Recognizing all that you have to be thankful for —even during the worst times—fosters resilience.”
As we continue in this new pattern of life during the Coronavirus, I am trying to be especially mindful of scheduling my days to be intentional with activities for Mon Cœur (MC), productive projects for me and for the family. We’ve got to keep busy, continue to be social, if even from a distance, and find those silver linings in our everyday lives.
Continuing with my weekly gratefulness practice, below are five reasons I’m grateful this week.
Five reasons I’m grateful this week:
- Spring! What a strange winter we’ve had. Although I missed the snow this year, I really enjoyed the warm, first day of spring where we spent virtually the entire day outside gardening and playing. Our blueberries have woken up, slowly filling out their branches with green leaves. Our almond tree has been in full bloom for the past couple of weeks, and our daffodils and hyacinths are really coming in bloom now. The promise of warmer weather and the uncertain times had us outside planting our seeds preparing our early spring garden. We should have some salad greens, radish, and carrots ready starting in twenty days.
- Technology. Seriously. MC and I have not left the house since…we took Chouchou to the doctor at the beginning of March. We haven’t had visitors to the house, aside from a few family members passing though briefly. In short, we have missed human interaction. Fortunately, we have been able to keep in touch with family and friends near and far through video chat apps.
- Our chickens. They’ve kept us company out in the garden, helping weed and finding worms, and they’ve run around with MC close behind. They’ve also been laying which has given us something to look forward to each day – going to gather eggs, and a fun activity of predicting how many will be in the coop (two, always two, MC’s favorite number) and a counting activity as we place the eggs in the basket to bring inside.
- A cure for my sweet tooth. I like to keep a cake or brownie mix stashed for those times when I get a sweet tooth, and this week, I got one bad. I went to check what we had, and there was a brownie mix. MC enjoyed helping me mix and making little brownie bites. The smaller the brownies, the more we can have, right?
- Newly found toddler blogs and resources. These recent new blogs have helped to inspire me and give MC new, fun, educational activities to do. While trying to fill my days with purpose for the whole family, these blogs have helped me to do just that.
What I’m reading:
How to Homeschool – a Beginner’s Guide
Brittany over at A Healthy Slice of Life answers her readers’ questions about homeschool and gives realistic tips such as setting a schedule. She gives links to the best sites for worksheets, online resources for learning, games, and a list of helpful materials.
Virtual Learning Literacy and Enrichment Resources
Lauren blogs about books over at Happily Ever Elephants, and this past week she posted an article about virtual learning – literacy resources, learning and enrichment resources, and bloggers with activities to keep toddlers engaged.
Inquiry based learning & Breakfast invitations
Beth from Days with Grey has two great posts I read this week, and I’ve already tried the breakfast invitations with great success this week with MC. Read about that here.
What I’m listening to:
Side Hustle School
I’ve been binge listening to this podcast this week, since I’ve just discovered it. They have really great episodes with inspiring stories to help people looking to create a side hustle. This week is about how to find time for your side hustle.
The host, Chris Guillebeau, gives great questions in the classroom episodes to help really fine tune the approach to one’s side hustle. A bonus, he gives homework each week, so this week I need to make a “stop-doing-list” and a “this matters” list.
What silver linings have you found this week? What have you read or listened to this week that has inspired you?
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