Grateful & Link-Up
Dress: LulaRoe | Denim Vest: Old Navy | Earrings: Nickel and Suede c/o | Necklace: 9th and Elm c/o | Shoes: The Root Collective c/o (Use this link for 10% off your purchase!) | Bracelets: Alex and Ani c/o & Kendra Scott | Watch: Wristology Watches c/o (Use code “45” for 20% off your purchase!) | Ring: Kendra Scott | Bag: Target
I’ve been thinking a lot… A LOT about gratitude lately. I don’t ever, ever, ever want to take my life and all that I have been given for granted. I don’t ever want to just “go about my day” and not take pause for all the wonderful things that are in my life.
It’s so easy, too easy, to look at everyone else and long for what they have… for their life… for their stuff… It’s so easy to wish we were richer / skinner / faster / stronger / smarter / etc. Yet, when we really stop to pause and think about the LITTLE things that we are blessed with, the more grateful we become and the more peaceful and content we are with our own life.
A few months ago… maybe even almost a year ago now, I started a little gratitude journal. It’s nothing special or fancy… it’s just a little journal I keep with me at all times and when I think of something or I come across something I’m grateful for, I write it down in my journal.
Then, when I’m having a rough day, I go back into my journal and I look at all the things – big and small – that I have to be thankful for. It makes it a whole lot more difficult to feel sorry for myself or throw myself a pity party when I look at all the HUNDREDS of THOUSANDS of things that I have to be thankful for.
This is something I’m just trying to be so mindful of… something that the more that we become “hyper aware” of, the less likely we will fall back into old habits of “have nots” and “want mores.”
I’m sharing this with you because maybe you needed to hear it… maybe you need to start a gratitude journal – maybe it’s just the thing that will help you realize how truly loved, blessed, and special you are.
It doesn’t need to be fancy and the list doesn’t need to be over the top… I write down things as simple as “The way Lilly says the word “Fish,” or “The taste of a fresh batch of homemade salsa,” all the way to things like, “I’m thankful we are debt free,” to “I’m thankful for the beautiful house that my family and I live in,” and “I’m thankful for the gift of Jesus Christ.”
It can really be anything.
SIDE NOTE: I LOVE the zipper detail on the back of this dress! And I’m grateful for its POCKETS! haha! 🙂
But in all seriousness, I want you to take some time today to just write down 10 things you’re grateful for. If you want, feel free to share them in the comments! I’d love to start a “grateful” spree in the comments of this post! 
And, if you want to go an extra step further, share what you’re grateful for with your friends, your family, your spouse, significant other, etc. Tell THEM how much you appreciate them.
ANOTHER SIDE NOTE: Not sure what this move is… I’m thinking it’s the “Thriller” move??
What do you think? What are YOU grateful for? How are you trying to appreciate the little things in life?
Welcome to Let it Shine…..the new, revamped Funday Monday! After two years….we decided to rename our link up to something we felt would be a better fit. Thus, Let it Shine! Why the name? Because we want this link up to be just that…..your chance to let it shine. We’ll be sharing our favs here each week and on social media…….
/ Jeans and a Tee / One Dress /
Another place we will be showcasing our favs? The Let It Shine Pinterest Board! So, go ahead…..and Let it Shine!
Such a beautiful post!! You look gorgeous XO! Thank you for hosting.
#LINKUPWITHLISA
http://www.beauty101bylisa.com/2015/07/linkupwithlisa-24-boho-chic-knitted.html
I agree…life is short we need to appreciate it as it comes. Love the dress…the colors are fabulous!
Debbie
http://www.fashionfairydust.com
Your dress looks gorgeous!
Beauty by Miss L Weekly Fashion Link Up!
this dress is so pretty and i love how you paired it with a denim vest!
cute & little
I love your dress so pretty and full of beautiful colors:)
I’m grateful for your photography! It’s refreshing to see a fashion blogger who looks so happy and joyful.
I love that dress on you! It flatters your figure beautifully.
I love the idea of a gratitude journal. I am grateful for so many things but I never make it known!!
I love your dress, so vibrant!
I am grateful for my husband, and for the 3 wonderful months we’ve been married (and many years to come!)
You are adorable! And it’s evident from this post you are just as beautiful on the inside. Thanks for the reminder!
I do something similar each night when I do my devotion and it’s always fun to go back and read them. I’m grateful for you for sharing your story and helping me see there’s hope for me yet and for triFABB for introducing me to wonderful people and getting me out of my shell. Loved this post!
This post was perfect for me today! One I love the idea of keep a gracious journal, being a SAHM and feeling alone something this is perfect to go back and reflect one. Also You dress is adorable. I have said this before in a comment but you are beautiful and so comfortable in your skin, I love this about you! Have a great week!
XoXo,
Nicole
http://www.nicole-kelly.com
This is SUCH a gorgeous dress; I absolutely love all the colour/pattern! And the fit is perfection!
Such a great idea to start a gratitude journal; I definitely need to start one as well! … Let’s start it off with: I am grateful to have “met” other fashion bloggers like yourself who inspire me with not just their fashion but their kindness and positivity!!
Xo
Lee |
LegalLee Blonde
I am totally on board with a gratitude journal! I love that idea! Thanks! I started journaling “One fun thing a day” for my daughter two summers ago. We do something fun together every day – bake, read, do our nail, etc. It has made me so much more thankful for our time together. Gorgeous dress! And I think that last pic looks like you are frolicking;) Susan
This dress is absolutely beautiful. What an amazing print!
https://forsevenseasons.wordpress.com
What a beautiful dress! You look so happy and pretty in these photos!
10 things I an grateful for: Jesus, family, friends, opportunities, music, talents and abilities, grace, help, prayer, blogging community.
Sarah
http://mybowsandclothes.blogspot.com/
I love that dress! You look so happy!
Her Heartland Soul
http://herheartlandsoul.com
Molly, you have much to be grateful for; especially your cute smile that radiates joy! I always look forward to seeing your smiling face. Thanks for hosting such a joyful party.
Shellie
http://www.thefabjourney.com
This is exactly what I needed to read today! I chose the word “contentment” to focus on this year, and so far I’ve done a crap-tastic job of it… I feel like I spend more time focusing on what I DON’T have rather than what I do. I think a gratitude journal may help keep me on track–I like your idea of just jotting down random things (rather than trying to come up with a certain number a day/week). I’ll start with one of the biggest–my family: my awesome husband and our sweet little boy. 🙂 Thanks Molly!
Gratitude really does help reorient my perspective on life if I can be mature enough in my day to stop and remind myself of all I have to be grateful for. I love this dress on you! One of my favorites. Thanks so much for the feature. 🙂
Amy Ann
Straight A Style
1. I have two beautiful, bright, and healthy children.
2. I have a loving and supportive husband.
3. Our extended family is involved and supportive, and not overbearing.
4. We live in a comfortable home in a quiet neighborhood.
5. Although we live in a suburban neighborhood, we are surrounded by nature thanks to the well-planned open spaces in our city.
6. I have a job that pays all the bills and provides me with opportunities to use my skills and talents.
7. We live in a time and place where human rights are respected.
8. We live close enough to the Rocky Mountains that we can get away and be in raw, beautiful nature in about 30 minutes.
9. I had so many opportunities as a child and received a great education.
10. The gentle rain that is falling right now.
This is a great idea to have everyone share as it really does help us to feel more content with our own lives.
love the print and shape of that dress. i am grateful for sales this past weekend-we got a great deal on kitchen tile, and i am grateful the hubs loves demo so much…now, i gotta get him on board with the reno part. thanks!
b
Such a pretty dress! I love the pattern and colors 🙂 10 things I’m grateful for…
1. My church family
2. My job
3. My books (I’m a book lover!)
4. The ability to learn new things
5. My big brothers
6. Time spent with family and friends
7. God’s Word
8. My country
9. Good health
10. Fun hobbies
Thank you for a great post!!
Rebekah
http://www.moreradiance.com
You look amazing in this dress, Molly! I love that you have a gratitude journal!
I love this post! You are adorable and I love the dancing pics! So fun. The colors in this dress are fantastic and the denim vest you added is such a cute look. I’m grateful for my loving and supportive husband who makes me laugh, coffee, how my 3 year old says “I love you mom” about 50 times a day!, for the way our 3 kids love and help each other (most of the time, hehe), my loving sister and writing our blog together, just to name a few.
Thanks for the reminder to be grateful and appreciate all the little things.
Katey
http://www.twopeasinablog.com
Love this dress, it’s so flattering and summery! And any dress that has pockets is a winner to me 🙂 Yes, being thankful is important. Reminds me of a Veggie Tales story “Madame Blueberry” are you a fan? haha.. A thankful heart is a happy heart. So true. I really try to teach my kiddos that which is hard in this world where things are often more valued than anything. We share what we’re thankful for every night (there’s is usually the same thing) but at least they are being reminded of it! Keep it up! Have a great week!
Lulu
simplylulustyle.com
You look so pretty in this dress. Such vibrant colors! Love the idea of a gratitude journal.
Love this post, especially that dancing pic of you! I am grateful for my job, the ability to afford my own apartment, the ability to take vacations, my health, that god gave us tastebuds, my car, my supportive parents, my goal-pushing sister, my loving boyfriend, America and those who protect her. Just to name a few:)
Elle
Southern Elle Style
Such a pretty dress and it’s a perfect fix and style on you.
love the dress! so simple and feminine!
Irene
http://www.thedailylace.com
Very jazzy dress!! Thanks for hosting. x
I’m grateful for my job, for a cozy home, for a sweet roommate, for living in the fabulous Music City, for a certain fella, for Diet Coke, for a long weekend, for my brother serving our country overseas, for God’s promises for my life and for fantastic bloggers like you who remind me that it’s not all about clothes, jewelry and material things, that we’re called to much deeper stuff than that!
Love your comments on being grateful…I also keep a journal! Have you read “A Thousand Gifts”?! Love your look too…the LulaRoe dress looks great on you.
xo,
Brooke | KBStyled
A great idea to keep a journal of things that you are grateful for and to read it when things are not so good! Love the pattern and pretty color of this dress.
Alice
http://www.happpinessatmidlife.com
Would love to see you Thursday for TBT Fashion link up.
I was so surprised and excited when I saw that you had featured my post! Thank you so much, Molly! You really made my day. 😀
I love the print of this dress, so pretty!
xx Kelly
Sparkles and Shoes