Welcome back to my blog! We are on a crash course of the 30 days of gratitude challenge. You’re joining us right on time! You can catch up on previous prompts here.

This challenge is by far the most exciting one I’ve done here. That’s kinda why I couldn’t stand not being able to complete it. Let’s see how many more prompts we can do today!

Day 14: Help a Small Business Owner Out

It’s funny how life turns out because now I can identify myself as a small business owner. This is funny because I always avoided the business side of things. From my experience, I have seen how hard small business owners work to create value in exchange for value (money). They take risks and wear several hats to ensure everything is done to keep their business promises to customers. I think it’s just a really good point in our gratitude journey to look around for small business owners and support them. You can do this by patronizing them, sharing their posts to your audience, or sending words of affirmation to let them know they are valuable and appreciated. (Or just leave a good review).

Day 15: Make a Good List

Ohh, I love this prompt! The idea is to make a list of your positive qualities. Could be a list of 5 items and above. This helps shift your focus from the negative qualities, which we are always so quick to identify, to the positives. I am grateful for the quality of being creative. For my free-spirited and adventurous side. For my commitment to family and long-term friendships. For my attention to detail and ability to nurture whatever living thing is placed in my care. Lol. For my smiles and laughter. Okay, this definitely felt a little weird to me at first, but I will still continue the list in my journal. Make a list of your good qualities!

Day 16: Pay it Forward

This prompt challenges us to pay for the next person- at a coffee shop, or in my case, the bakery. I can’t forget how touched I was when I went into a restaurant with a friend and at the end, she bought an extra meal for the security guard at the entrance. It really moved me. I hope you also find a way of paying forward and helping people without the expectation of being paid back.

Day 17: Volunteer

I really want to do this! But I’m always clueless on how to go about it. I’m going to shelf this to try again during the year. Have you done any volunteer work you can share with me? I’d be looking forward to your responses. Thank you!

Volunteers don’t get paid, not because they’re worthless, but because they’re priceless.

Sherry Anderson

Day 18: Take Care of Your Body

This is a good day to appreciate your body for all that it does for you. Have you ever noticed how wounds heal on your body? How your body renews itself? Not to mention the non-stop internal operations. Imagine if your body took a leave of absence or went on strike. Ooof! Please take care of your body- give it the necessary nutrients and try not to constantly overwork it. The body is a precious gift, uniquely designed for you! If you don’t take care of it, no one else will. I find that I feel lighter when I go on power walks and/or take part in yoga stretches. Find what works for you and your body and make the most of it.

Day 19: Pre-pay for a Future Experience

This prompt is pretty new to me. The idea is to identify businesses that have high and low seasons and then pay for a future experience during the low seasons. This will help the business owner out and also give you value in return. This might be the push you need to pay for that Airbnb or buy that flight ticket. Or maybe even as little as pre-paying for eggs from a business owner to receive at a future time. You can also buy gift cards for yourself or loved ones to use at a future time (I have found shopping vouchers to be very helpful and a good gift idea for others.)

Day 20: Thank Yourself

I come from a culture where talking about yourself or focusing on your strong qualities was not necessarily encouraged. It was perceived as arrogance. But I’m unlearning that and relearning how to pat myself on the back when I do something good. And to love me all the same when I’m not in my best form as well. Remember how as kids they would say, ‘clap for yourself’? Even though the culture of shame also came through the same means where kids would shout ‘shame, shame, shame’ at another kid based on the teacher’s instructions. But I digress.

When last did you clap for yourself? Have you ever said positive things about yourself out loud? Or just the negative stuff like ‘How could you be so stupid?’ Ooof! The way some of us talk to ourselves, we would certainly not have friends if we spoke to them that way. I’m guilty of being self-critical, and this can be very demoralizing. That’s why this is a great prompt to do every day! Look at yourself in the mirror and speak positive words of affirmation. Don’t wait for others to tell you how good you are, tell yourself. Remind yourself that you are fearfully and wonderfully made. You are the apple of God’s eyes. You are worthy of every good thing.

Day 21: Get Out into Nature

If I stay too long away from nature, I begin to feel it in my soul. I find nature to be very liberating! For this prompt, you are challenged to be thankful for nature. You can take walks around nature reserves like the Lekki Conservative Centre in Lagos, or Lufasi Nature Park, or areas around you with lush grasses and nice trees.

Nature helps me stay present and thankful. When I watch birds flying with careless abandon, I’m forced to let go of the anxiety that weighs me down. If you haven’t watched a sunrise or sunset before, I challenge you to do so. There is something breathtaking about the way the sun breaks through the clouds like it’s being ushered on stage to put on a show, and the way it sets majestically in the evenings. God is a magnificent artist! Nature helps you see this and give thanks. You should try this soon.

Day 22: Addition by Subtraction

I think the prompt titles are pretty creative. I was confused for a second about this one. The idea here is to find those things that are pulling you down instead of pushing you forward. Sometimes you need to subtract weights, habits, relationships etc., that do not serve you. This could be intangible like letting go of resentment, anxiety, fear, or anger, or more tangible like letting go of the clutters around your home that do not reflect who you’ve become. If you’re like me, you can form attachments and place sentimental value on things you haven’t used in a long time that are just occupying space. Let it go It’s refreshing how this exercise feels in the end. For me, this also means letting go of people’s expectations of me that are holding me back from being all I’ve been made for. Add to your life by letting go of unhealthy habits or routines.

Day 23: Invest in Yourself

When last did you invest in yourself? Yes, it’s great that you’ve invested in others, but how about you? Investing in yourself comes from loving yourself. This can be in form of investing in your career development or in your personal development. It can even be investing in self-care or skin care. I found myself investing in courses that had nothing to do with my career but were definitely life-changing. I also try to learn something new daily. I challenge you to invest more in yourself. You are worth it.

Invest time and energy in your well being. Create an atmosphere of emotional safety for yourself.

Amy Leigh Mercree

Day 24: Random Acts of Kindness

As a part of my daily routine, I have incorporated performing acts of kindness. it can be as little as washing the dishes, sending messages to friends who may be facing tough days or seasons, helping to carry heavy loads, etc. My sister does this so well that I’m always inspired! She would go to the end of the earth to help a stranger in need. I’m still learning this, but we’ve got to start somewhere. Identify people who need help and provide the help they need. Incorporate doing a random act of kindness into your daily routine. You won’t regret this.

Wow! If you’ve read to this point, you deserve a hug! Thank you!

What are your favorite prompts?

Love,

M.