52 Books in a Year: Week 5
One Thousand Gifts is a book by Ann Voskamp. In a similar style to C.S. Lewis, every word that Ann writes is poetic, and filled with depth and meaning. Sometimes reading just a few pages gave me enough to stew over for a while. And then I’d re-read those pages and see something new. Her words are hauntingly beautiful, and inspiring.
One Thousand Gifts is a journal of Ann’s journey and transition from ingratitude to gratitude. Ann challenges herself by asking “Could I write a list of a thousand things I love?…one thousand gifts…not the gifts I want but of gifts I already have.” What follows is a record of the gifts that Ann discovers, as she defeats ingratitude with gratefulness:
#1. Morning shadow across the old floors
#38. Wool sweaters with turtleneck collars
#118. Crackle in fireplace
#526. New toothbrushes
#904. First frost’s crunch
Ann’s perspective on seeing gifts in even the smallest of things has challenged me to be more thankful, and begin my own list of one thousand gifts. Maintaining a posture of gratitude is a discipline and a journey.
What else have I read during my yearlong reading project?
–> Week 1 –> Week 2 –> Week 3 –> Week 4
Peter Chee
That’s an amazing thing to do, not just to put things on a list but put it on the list and sincerely be thankful for it, like if I didn’t have it I would be sad. I’m not sure if I’m taking this too far or if the exercise is to just be grateful for the simple things.
Annie Vander Pol
No, I don’t think you’re taking it too far. I think you’re right now. The discipline is to recognize the big and small things in your life that you might not otherwise think to be grateful for. One example that she used in the book was how she was grateful for an old man buying a thank you card in the store. If I saw that – I wouldn’t think anything of it. But with her “grateful” mindset, I look on that situation and AM GRATEFUL, because how cute – an old man buying a thank you card! Of course I can be grateful for something like that…
Sami
Annie this gave me goosebumps! This is amazing. The small things are what make me the happiest, therefore I can really say that I LOVE them. This sounds like a great book.
Annie Vander Pol
The book gave me goosebumps! It’s so good. I’d definitely recommend to take it chapter by chapter – and just let her words sink in a bit.
Bea
I am in the process of reading it for my Book Club. Defiantly a book to take one chapter at a time.
Annie Vander Pol
Bea, you’ll have to let me know how you like it when you’re done!
Renee
This is why I love the appreciation part of our daily huddle! People who are appreciative are happier than those who aren’t 🙂 Thanks for sharing, Annie!
Annie Vander Pol
Exactly!