To Choose Joy ...

Is it just me ... or does it seem that our world has turned upside down?

From the news on tv to my Facebook newsfeed... daily negativity...

where do we turn to find something positive?



And this verse keeps coming to my mind...

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things

One of my favorite inspirations is Ann Voskamp of A Holy Experience.

(She's on all the social media outlets if you're interested in following her)

At various times, I've started her yearly "COUNT 1000 GIFTS"...

... so when better to begin {again}

than now ...

August 1 ... 3 gifts of white ...

Snow ... although I'm enjoying our summer season, I am always amazed by fresh fallen snow --- fluffy & pure perfection --- how awesome that no two snowflakes are alike --- nowhere in this vast world that we live --- from the beginning of time, God has made each snowflake unique

Pearls ... sentimental of the pearl necklace Dan bought me soon after we got married --- I know he sacrificed for that necklace because we sure did not have much back then

White chocolate ... I simply love white chocolate

August 2 ... 3 gifts eaten ...

Egg whites ... one of my most favorite foods

Salmon ... since my childhood of having canned salmon

Breakfast ... I've always loved breakfast food --- Dan & I have made it a priority over the past several years to have breakfast together as often as possible

Re-training our minds & hearts can be a daily challenge in this world of ours ...

but I am choosing joy as often as I can

Negativity certainly exists in the world today ---

but we have the free will to choose the things we think about

What's on your list of 1000 gifts?