One hundred weeks of wonderful people getting together and writing what they are grateful for is nothing to sneeze at. I don’t know if this has ever been done but it certainly doesn’t surprise me that Lizzi and her magnificent co-hosts have managed it.
I am certainly grateful to have been a small part of this generous and caring community. For a time, I would sit and write a post about all of the good things that had happened in my life even at the end of the weeks when I couldn’t imagine doing it. I would sit in a bleak state and wonder what in the wide world would possibly end up on the page.
Then the magic would happen. Whatever sparkly magic Lizzi sends out over the interwebs would slither in and suddenly, I was writing. And writing. And writing. Good thing after good thing after good thing. Many people said it over the weeks I spent as a participant, and then a co-host: The best time to write about gratitude is when you really aren’t feeling it. All you had to do was begin…with one word.
The Ten Things of Thankful is more than just a link up. It is an exercise, making each of us dig in and find the good, share it, rejoice in it. It is the movement of a community, built person by person to raise each other up, encourage, support, and celebrate.
Connections have been made here and that is what makes it so very special. It’s not about gaining followers to your blog, Facebook, or Twitter. It is about people…caring about one another, interested in each others’ lives, and invested in friendships made.
It is a living, breathing, and beautiful community.
I have a lot to be grateful for in my life but today I just want to say how thankful I am to have met some of the most fantastic people in my life right here. I’ve never met any of you face to face but I’ve read about your highest highs and your lowest lows and I’ve shared some of the best and worst moments of my own with you. I hope I have managed to support you with the same sincerity and grace that you have shown me.
One hundred weeks! I hope it stays alive and well for one hundred more….times ten.
And then some.
Photo credit: Gratisography
FRIST! ! ! !
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I have so enjoyed when you’ve been part of this, in whatever capacity, amd I think you’re marvellous and a wonderful and integral part of the TToT gang, DA 💝
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Thank you, EG. I hope to be here more and more. I forget how much it helps my general well being when I make it a part of my week. It is very, very special.
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Keep coming back. You KNOW I’m still angling for you to come back to us PROPERLY one day.
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Lovely post. I also feel privileged to be part of the community as well. Even if Lizzi did get FRIST! ARGH! LIZZI!!!!!!!
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Lizzi’s tough to beat at FRIST! It’s the time zone…or the fact that she flies all over with her pixie dust.
It is indeed a privilege to be part of this in whatever capacity that may be.
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Sandy, how did I miss that this was your blog? Did you know I switched names? I kind of lost track of you for a bit… so nice to see your smiling face!
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This whole thing is so awesome. You guys are amazing.
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They are indeed.
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I agree with you. Though this is the TEN Things of Thankful, this blog hop is not about counting, but it is about community. I’ve gotten to know some amazing people because of this weekly link-up.
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Aside from being reminded to count your blessings, the people are the very best part!
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You’re here! Glad you joined us, dear Sandy! We are family, I’ve got all my sisters (and Clark) with me….
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And cousins, Dyanne! 🙂
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yeah… like ‘a sister of another gender’* I’m proud to be representin the people of Y Chromia here at this here TToT bloghop here.
*this sounded way more clevererer… in my head, than in print
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I am! I wouldn’t miss the 100th! It was so much fun to catch up with everyone this week. I have to make it back more often. I miss you all so much!
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Once a part of the TToT, always a part. I never could have imagined the life this hop would take on when it started 100 weeks ago. Even the people who don’t participate, but simply read other people’s lists are affected. It is a marvelous idea Lizzi had.
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Well thank you, Christine! The staying power of the TToT alone is testament to the good that does. It’s a marvelous idea Lizzi had, yes, and picking her co-hosts was just as brilliant. I was so glad to catch up with your family this week. They are all growing up way too fast for me…I can only imagine how you must feel!
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I’m glad I’m here and I’m glad Lizzi’s mojo has bred gratitude all over the place. And connection. So many wonderful people, especially you.
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Thank you, Val. Lizzi did a good thing and we should thank her for making it possible to meet people we may not have otherwise. I connected with both you and Jen through this hop and it’s been wonderful!
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You make so many good points here, especially that TToT is an exercise – one where we get to practice a very important skill. Seeing the good around us.
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It has helped me pull myself out of some rough emotional spots, I can tell you. And I’m not the only one. As I wrote in the post, I can remember many weeks coming here and reading that people really didn’t want to write this week, had no idea what they had to be thankful for but thought they’d at least try. It was amazing to watch them fill the page each and every time. Amazing!
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Lovely Sandy,
I am so glad that you added your awesome this week. I love everything that you write andm iss you when you are not here. Jax. The End.
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Ahhhh…Jax. You do know the way to my heart, don’t you? Thank you so much for that comment, Pattie. It means more to me that I could possible express.
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I was happy to have overlapped with you briefly as cohost.
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Thank you, Sarah. I enjoyed it too! Y’all are a lively group!
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*grumbles about if she had it her way it would be a longer overlap and might even start again*
**doublegrumbles that this subject gets skirted**
***sighs***
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I’m only joining in for the second time and I am feeling as I read everyone’s posts that I have been very fortunate and stumbled into something really special. I agree with you that it’s a great exercise to look for things to be grateful for when they are hardest to find!
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You have most certainly stumbled upon what is probably one of the most lovely communities on the internet. Stick around and I promise you will make friends and find support in abundance. I’m glad you’re here.
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Well said. I feel the same way about our supportive, caring community. 🙂
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I’ve been lurking for a while – but finally dipped my toes in! It is a great group – and so much to be thankful for!
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I should give this a go – I’ve heard great things about the transformative power of gratitude, so it certainly couldn’t hurt. However, I’m not sure I am disciplined enough to wrote a thankfulness post once a week (I tend to rebel against authority – even when the authority is me). I may have to start with baby steps
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Just come when you can make it. It’s a no-obligation hop 🙂
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