30 Days of Gratitude Challenge

Maybe you’re familiar with the feeling. When “having it all” is still not enough. You have all the fundamental blocks of what a good life is supposed to have: A safe and comfortable home, a fulfilling job that pays the bills, friends and family who love you, memorable moments that are worth remembering. And yet, it still feels like it’s not enough.

And it’s not that I want to sound ungrateful. Yet, truthfully, I probably am. I take so much of what I have for granted. That needs to change.

The Gratitude Challenge

You may recall when I highlighted the latest book by Dr. Josh Misner, Put the F**king Phone Down. In it, he reminds us that gratitude is a matter of perspective. It needs to be a conscious and intentional decision. One of the personal challenges he puts forth in the book is:

Each and every single day of your life for the next six weeks, write down five things you are grateful for at that moment, and do this at the beginning of your day.

I’ve made these sorts of gratitude lists several times before, but this exercise is a little different. The idea is to make gratitude into a habit, and that means writing something down every day.

If you do the math, there are 42 days in six weeks. Multiply 42 days by five things, and you end up with a total of 210 gratitude-worthy items. Since I want to do this as a 30-day challenge (rather than six weeks), I’ll need seven items each day to achieve the same total of 210 things.

A Daily Dose of Gratitude

So, that’s what I plan to do; I’ll update this blog post accordingly every day this month. And that’s with no repeats. Okay, let’s capture a pocketful of sunshine…

November 1

1. We went trick-or-treating last night.
2. It didn’t rain. Actually, the weather was really nice.
3. The lamb popsicle at Vij’s lives up to its reputation.
4. Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is marvelous.
5. I live in a safe, walkable neighborhood.
6. I actually (try to) take weekends off now.
7. Aside from our mortgage, we are debt-free.

November 2

1. The stroopwafels from Costco are great with coffee.
2. Borrowing audiobooks from the library is really convenient.
3. The Good Place is forking awesome.
4. Visiting Addie’s preschool felt like we never left.
5. How to DAD brings a smile to my face.
6. Quiet Saturday mornings with the family are the best.
7. I love Addie’s insatiable sense of humor.

November 3

1. I am thankful for pineapple on pizza. Controversial, I know.
2. The 10-pack of Timbits is just the right amount of Timbit.
3. A good cup of coffee at home only costs me about 25 cents.
4. Vancouver is filled with cheap sushi that’s actually pretty good.
5. Addie has picked up on the word “doodle” and it’s beautiful.
6. Scholastic is still a thing, including book fairs.
7. Susanne is a way better home chef than I’ll ever be.

November 4

1. I actually get paid for statutory holidays now. It’s weird.
2. We went to Science World yesterday…
3. And I didn’t feel obligated to vlog or blog about it.
4. It really doesn’t get much better than Phnom Penh chicken wings.
5. My flexible schedule allows me to enjoy lunch with friends.
6. Where was I before the convenience of Arca-Swiss plates?
7. The autumn colors are beautiful.

November 5

1. Online shopping is so convenient.
2. Flashfood is such a good deal for short-dated groceries.
3. The hot lunch program at Addie’s school supports local businesses.
4. This cheap Chromebook has a surprisingly good keyboard.
5. Keanu Reeves is a gift to humanity.
6. My monthly cell phone bill is less than $50 (before tax).
7. There’s still “leftover” Halloween candy for the dad tax.

November 6

1. Waking up before everyone else can be so tranquil.
2. There’s nothing quite like a hearty multigrain bread.
3. Ultrafiltered lactose-free milk is easier on my stomach.
4. I am grateful for the local blogging community.
5. I’ve made many blogging connections these past 14 years.
6. Everybody knows everybody. It’s truly a small world.
7. The news briefings on Google Home are convenient.

November 7

1. Vancouver air is at its best in the autumn. So crisp.
2. I am grateful for the relative stability of my freelance career.
3. Eggnog latte is back. (Yes, it’s a bit early.)
4. Hank Green did a video on moral philosophy and The Good Place.
5. The Green brothers, as far as I can tell, are good people.
6. These Puma sweatpants from Costco are really comfy.
7. Looking forward to my RMT appointment!

November 8

1. Modern Mama included me in a list of Canadian dad bloggers to follow!
2. Raffi made a song featuring Greta Thunberg. For real.
3. Apparently, I’m known as the tech and food guy. That’s cool.
4. I just received a care package from Disney on Ice.
5. I won Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 for Nintendo Switch!
6. Disney+ is coming next week!
7. I just picked up Malcolm Gladwell’s new book from the library.

November 9

1. I slept in until 10 a.m. this morning. It was glorious.
2. I then spent the next two hours playing Mario & Sonic with the kid.
3. The #5DadsGoWild crew always have each other’s backs.
4. It looks like my koi-eating otter t-shirt is ready for pickup.
5. News briefings on my Google Nest Hub keep me informed.
6. My Nintendo Switch Online account expired, but I qualify for the free trial.
7. We’ve made a good dent in our Christmas gift shopping already!

November 10

1. Look! It has pockets!
2. Oh, the madness and joy of Sunday brunch.
3. Some good food options are coming to the neighborhood.
4. I’ve had this one comfy ACG fleece for 20 (?) years and it still holds up.
5. Life-work balance is finally looking better.
6. Online banking is so convenient.
7. I actually have employer match on RSP now.

November 11

1. I am grateful for this country’s veterans.
2. I am grateful for the Chinese-Canadians who served so we could gain the right to vote in 1947.
3. I am grateful to live in a country where I am free to be who I am.
4. I am grateful to live in a country where I feel safe.
5. Pineapple buns are awesome.
6. Apparently, I’ve averaged 8 hours of sleep each night for the past week.
7. The “Amazing” Brentwood is slowly opening.

November 12

1. The Mandalorian delivers!
2. Gargoyles is every bit as good as I remember it to be.
3. I think my Chinatown Otter t-shirt is ready for pickup.
4. They fixed Sonic the Hedgehog.
5. The long weekend was quiet and (mostly) relaxing.
6. I can cast Disney+ to my Google Nest Hub.
7. Coffee and a donut to start my day.

November 13

1. My home office provides some separation from home life.
2. The local bloggers I know really look out for one another.
3. At least a couple of them give me a kick in the rear when they know I need it.
4. It’s going to be a busy few weeks with events, and that’s okay.
5. Reconnecting with old contacts under new circumstances breathes new life into those relationships.
6. I was told that I’m a very good listener.
7. I was also told that I smile a lot, and that smiling is contagious.

November 14

1. My varied experience means I’ve made some varied contacts over the years.
2. Particularly among the local community, this has led to many “worlds are colliding” moments.
3. That new Motorola RAZR is super slick.
4. I am very grateful for my extended health insurance.
5. There’s a Facebook party tonight with $5,000 in prizes.
6. This marks my 20th year of blogging, depending on your definition.
7. McDonald’s has $1 for any size coffee again.

November 15

1. I started my morning with coffee and The Mandalorian.
2. My new fitness tracker has a guided “relax” breathing exercise.
3. Vancouver is home to some of the best cheap sushi.
4. Two media preview events are next week.
5. Addie gets along with all her kindergarten friends.
6. We’ve more or less gotten lunch prep/packing under control.
7. I have spoken.

November 16

1. The Food Ranger’s enthusiasm for street food is infectious. Mmm…
2. Compliments give me the warm fuzzies. Thank you, Janette.
3. Grandma went out with Addie and they came back with breakfast for us.
4. “I want a hippopotamus for Christmas.”
5. We live in an era of abundant choice in entertainment.
6. You are never too old for a Disney movie.
7. I have fond memories of traveling with my family as a kid.

November 17

1. We just spent the morning playing some Rock Band on the Xbox.
2. She likes Def Leppard, apparently. Sweet.
3. I chose this life and this life chose me.
4. Christmas jazz cafe music is the best background music.
5. We live in a supportive and generous community.
6. More bubble tea is coming to the neighborhood.
7. I’m pushing 40, I wear nerdy t-shirts, and that’s okay.

November 18

1. I am grateful for quiet walks in the neighborhood.
2. Modern tools make it easy (or easier) to collaborate.
3. Lavender Earl Grey chocolate bundt cake fresh out of the oven.
4. It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.
5. The Roku remote can control my TV’s volume.
6. Private listening via mobile with Roku is awesome for parents.
7. Random memes are random and I love them.

November 19

1. The Vancouver Christmas Market media/influencer event is tonight!
2. Rediscovering my old YouTube videos and seeing how far I’ve come.
3. Coming to terms with using incomplete sentences and that’s okay.
4. I don’t have to “book” time off to attend various influencer events.
5. I no longer feel compelled to buy something when big sales hit.
6. Somehow, I’ve now made a career out of writing about writing.
7. We are exactly one month away from The Rise of Skywalker.

November 20

1. I feel valued and appreciated in my work.
2. It’s a beautiful, sunny day.
3. Looking forward to all the holiday festivities these next few weeks.
4. I hit 10,000+ steps yesterday.
5. The little LED mini light for video works very well.
6. Wireless all the things.
7. Tupac still resonates with me to this day.

November 21

1. My new fitness tracker has a stopwatch function. It’s like Timex Indiglo all over again.
2. It also has a “relax” function for a guided breathing exercise. That’s been good.
3. This Vancouver Christmas Market video turned out better than I expected.
4. Our first parent-teacher conference was a success.
5. Addie has adapted very well to kindergarten and is an enthusiastic learner.
6. Off to the Aurora Winter Festival VIP Media Night tonight!
7. And it looks like the weather will cooperate too.

November 22

1. You couldn’t ask for a better friend than Stacey.
2. Looking forward to a busy and fun weekend.
3. Jury duty is a privilege.
4. The Mandalorian gets better with each episode.
5. Free coffee refills.
6. The Tesla Cybertruck is peak Elon. Does it have a frunk?
7. Having some quiet working time in the middle of the day.

November 23

1. I don’t have to choose between paying for heat or food.
2. Gearing up for another busy weekend.
3. Weekend breakfast is best breakfast.
4. No snow so far. (Except during #5DadsGoWild)
5. But, I’m stocked up on salt from last year anyway.
6. We got to the movie theater early!
7. Mobile ordering is super convenient.

November 24

1. Coffee dates with a great kid.
2. Sitting on the floor, playing LEGO (with the same great kid).
3. Working from home is an incredible privilege.
4. Taking weekends off has been a welcome change.
5. The kid is quite the creative and complex storyteller.
6. Lost in the Woods “music video” is on point.
7. She’s been asking for more cuddles lately. My heart melts.

November 25

1. It’s nice to feel connected.
2. It’s nice to feel needed and/or useful.
3. Afternoon naps are truly glorious. Even on the floor.
4. Condensed milk and stove-top espresso.
5. Invited to another secret Santa this year.
6. An embarrassment of excess for entertainment options.
7. Survived a busy week, largely unscathed.

November 26

1. “You are a great editor! Dang! Thanks!”
2. “They’re really lucky to have you.”
3. We’re really fortunate that we own our home.
4. Parental help is the only reason why that is/was possible.
5. We also have access to reliable childcare when we need it.
6. A date night about every month or two has been a pretty consistent thing.
7. She was really enthusiastic about showing me around her classroom.

November 27

1. I hit my daily step goal yesterday without taking a walk specifically for that purpose.
2. Google Opinion Rewards has been paying for my Disney+ so far.
3. Microsoft Rewards has been paying for (some of) my Starbucks habit.
4. People think of me for their upcoming projects.
5. The new Financial Confessions series by TFD’s Chelsea Fagan.
6. Invited into another Secret Santa gift exchange this year!
7. “Careless Whisper” cover by Seether?! How did I miss this?

November 28

1. Sometimes, I can choose not to work. And that’s okay.
2. Comfy wool socks are comfy.
3. I can work in said comfy wool socks. Like right now.
4. It’s another beautiful sunny day in Vancouver.
5. Transit strike averted (at least for now).
6. Celebrating 20 years together next month.
7. I don’t feel the Black Friday shopping compulsion.

November 29

1. Disney on Ice was terrific.
2. Found a great (free) parking spot too.
3. My blogger friends are good people.
4. Sleeping in, if only for an extra half hour.
5. Addie has expressed some interest in arithmetic.
6. Hot coffee and a warm toasted bagel in the morning.
7. I’m not enduring the crowds for Black Friday.

November 30

1. Happy and enthusiastic first “lesson” in arithmetic.
2. She loves to sing. And she’s so emphatic about it.
3. So many Christmas and holiday events around town!
4. The cozy and comfortable corner of our sectional.
5. Affordable variety of food is only a short drive away.
6. Life, all considered, is pretty good.
7. Thankful for Dr. Josh Misner, inspiring me to complete this 30-day gratitude challenge.

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