”Enjoy the little things…
for one day you
may look back and realize
they were the big things.”
~Robert Brault
Sometimes, we need reminders. Life gets busy and it can definitely get messy. Either way, it’s easy to get off track and wish for things to be different…or at least simpler. When these moments hit, and you find it impossible to think of the glass as half full, it’s helpful to remember just how much you have to be grateful for. Gratitude is something we have to work on every day, and be aware of all the time. If you’re like me, and struggle with this, it’s helpful to make a “gratitude list.”
The whole “count your blessings” concept works for me every time. Below you will find my own gratitude list…and it’s a mix of little things, important things, and things I love. It’s in no particular order…I just wrote as ideas came to me. In the time it took me to write this list, my glass quickly went from half empty to overflowing.
- My family
- My granddaughter’s laugh
- My grandson’s sweet face
- My friends (this includes my readers!)
- Kroger Clicklist
- Ceiling fans
- Fresh mint
- Diet Coke
- Blooming clematis
- Pink peonies
- Lavender body wash
- My little dog’s company
- A stack of grain sacks
- Finished laundry
- A pedicure
- An empty dishwasher
- Homemade bread
- That first cup of coffee
- My front porch
- Loose leggings
- A fresh haircut
- A kind email
- Blue mason jars
- White impatiens
- Chocolate chip cookies
- Yoga class
The Little Things Quote
I couldn’t write a post like this without including an inspirational printable. I’ve seen this “enjoy the little things” quote by Robert Brault many places and always loved it. I wrote to Mr. Brault and requested permission to make a printable featuring his quote for my readers. He graciously agreed, and the quote is used with his permission. Current email subscribers can download this quote (pictured below) from the Members Only Library. If you aren’t currently on my list, just fill out the short form below. You will receive an email that contains a link to download your own high resolution, unwatermarked copy of Mr. Brault’s quote.
So…I challenge you to make your own gratitude list. Not necessarily today, but soon. Think of all the little things that make you smile, or bring you peace, or bring you joy. It’s very quick and it’s a few minutes that you can take for yourself. When you’re finished, tuck your list away. On those bad days that we all have, take it out, read it, and remind yourself that life is good.
Because it is…and we all need a reminder now and then.
Remember that blooming clematis I mentioned above? I can see this out my kitchen window and it makes me smile every day.
Thank you, Ann, for the beautiful quote and encouragement to make a gratitude list! I haven’t downloaded it yet, but it’s a good reminder to focus on the myriad little things for which to be thankful. I also thought it would be fun to walk down memory lane thinking of the little things which shine through the years, so thank you for sharing!
Ann, This post was so needed for me, embarrassingly I tend to forget to count my blessings on a daily basis. I have so much to be thankful for. I survived a ruptured brain aneurysm & breast cancer among other things. I always love seeing your baby Kelly & your little grandaughter. I’ve been your friend for a long time & I too am happy when I see your post in my email. Thank you so much for your pictures/quotes & your positivity. HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY.
cookie
I appreciate your sharing your grateful list. Last night my husband confided to me his feelings of an ongoing depression since an illness last year. We do talk about how much we have to be grateful for but to actually make a written list….well, that seems way more powerful to me. You’ve just inspired me to sit down and make such a list with him today! Thank you!
Beautiful photo of you and your granddaughter! Happy Mother’s Day! You have brightened up my days for many years! 🌼🌷🌺
Thank you for your blog today. It filled me with joy.
Thank you for the wonderful reminder, Ann! I can’t help but think that, if we lived closer, we would be great friends (I live in Sunbury, OH). Fellow introverts! And next weekend I am painting my front door Naval!
A couple of years ago I came upon a book called the magic which was all about gratitude. It was an amazing 28 days of gratitude that brought unbelievable goodness into my life. While I had always been a grateful person and had kept gratitude journals in the past, this was slightly diff in that I began to be thankful for things I wanted as well as what I had. I still use this technique today and sometimes I am truly amazed when weeks or even months down the road I see things come to fruition.
Please, can you tell me the author’s name? I did a search & got so many results! Mostly of the abra-cadabra variety!
I think this may be one of Rhonda Bryne’s books. I just found it on Amazon. It’s one of the books in a series of four. I just downloaded it.
Hi Debby…the author of the quote is Robert Brault. His link is included in the post. Thank you!
Hi Diane…the author of the quote is Robert Brault. I included his name and a link to his website in the post. Thank you!
Thank you so much for sharing the book!
I’m late making a comment but thanks so much for sending your Gratitude List and also the quote by Robert Brault. I had read that quote before but never knew who the author was. Due to the Corona virus, I haven’t worked in 3 weeks but still so grateful for the chance to stay in touch with family & friends by calling, texting, & emailing,, go walking, watch good movies, & reading. I’ve had a lot more time to read my Bible & that has been so comforting & encouraging.
I love practicing gratitude. I often make my gratitude lists at night when trying to go to sleep. An alphabetical list works for me! I try to practice being humbly grateful, not hatefully grumbly!
Yes the little things in life are what we live for! Thank you for the reminder..and the quote by Robert Brault is beautiful and so is your art work! Thank you Ann
Hi Anne,
I love your blog and faithfully open it every morning when I’m sipping on my hot cup of coffee .
Your Posts really are so positive & really a breath of fresh Air.
Thankyou
Anne
Thank You Ann for brightening up my day…. Again! Its been awhile since I visited. You are one of my favorite blogs and have been for years. I love the free printables, recipes and all the great advice you give us. You also know how to decorate. Thanks for taking the time to give us all of these pretty things to make our homes wonderful. comforting and loving.
Jacqueline
Texas Girl
Thank you for your wise words. A book I just read “Choosing Gratitude” by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. It really has changed me.
Ann, this is a beautiful and great post. I love the positivity in this little story. Thank you so much for posting!
I just compared your list to mine…and we matched on 15 different items! I guess that’s why I enjoy your blog so much…and one of the things I put on my list was “on sutton place”…such a warm hug every time I read your posts!
Perfect…😘
How do I sign up?
Ann,
I have been reading your blog for quite some time now. I was so moved by your inspiring post about gratitude that I was prompted to place my first ever reply on your site.
I wanted to share how I recognize what I’m grateful for. Before I fall asleep each night, I think of three things I am grateful for that day. It is amazing how that simple act can create a restful spirit. When I lay my head down tonight, I will be sure to include you and your blog as one of those things for which I am most grateful for today. God’s blessings be bestowed upon you, Ann.
Awesome post. You are a breath of fresh air with your positive energy and beautiful website.
Oh Ann, thank you so much!
Love your list and the quote! Really needed this right now. Wishing you and your every blessing, and thank you for your posts!
All those little gratitudes add up to the whole.Your view from the kitchen window is a beauty and so is your granddaughter.
Oh, Ann
Thank you for this! I am constantly thanking God for a new day, but it isn’t always that I thank Him for the little struggles that make up daily life. Sometimes, there’s even joy in those things.
Thank you!
A loyal reader in Mexico City.
I have read your blog faithfully ever since I found you years ago. I’ve made many of the recipes you’ve shared and love the simple ways you decorate, your outlook on life… reading your blog brings peace to mine. Thank you ….❤️
I agree with you. Sometimes things happen, and we wish for them to go away. But, you know, if we never had any troubles, we would go on with what is enjoyable in life, and with the comfortable and easy things, and we would end up missing God’s best for our lives. When we take time to make those lists of gratitude and blessings, we see just how much He is working in our lives . I know God is blessing you through your blog, and he is blessing your countless readers as well as you share your thoughts and ideas with us. Thank you for the printable quote; it is one of my favorites!!
I feel so at home with you. You have qualities that warm a heart. Thanks.
Thank you Ann!
My gratitude list also includes my favorite blogging authors- like you! You bring so much inspiration to so many and THAT is something to be grateful for. Blessings to you!
Susan
Thank You, Friend! I needed this today.
Hugs,
Cindy N.
That photo of you and your granddaughter is darling! Counting my blessings always works for me, too.
The little things is life are so important and it is always a great idea to stop and note them. As for a gratitude list, I try to write one every day, even on the bad days you can fimd one things.
There are lots of really little things I am grateful for and sometimes they are even better than the big things. Have a wonderful day, Ann. I always get so much out of a visit here with you. xoDiana
Ann, just what I needed to read.❤️Your granddaughter is beautiful and mine always bring me such joy. Enjoyed your list too❣️
Thank you for your thoughtful and fun musings…..,
You brightened my day and changed my outlook to half full today. I was feeling down about my life situation and I realize that the little things can bring pure joy and pleasure. You really need to focus on all that is positive and not on those life events that can often bring us down.
You brought sunshine into my day – thank you kindly for the beautiful watercolor which I will be sure and print and frame.
Blessings to you!
You are a good, down to earth human being. I admire you and what you say and do.
Your grateful list is wonderful but…..grain sacks??? Please explain!
I’m glad I read this today, as it was a needed reminder of things I hold dear. I loved your list but really smiled at several things….including “Kroger Clicklist”. Now, back to my first cup of coffee!
beautiful post !
Ann, your granddaughter resembles you 💕
I love your gratitude list! I follow you and always look forward to reading your post. Our tastes are so similar in everything. I wish we were neighbors, I know we would be best friends.
Thank you ,
Mary Lou Cross
Adorable granddaughter and beautiful clematis.
Ann— I absolutely love your beautiful and meaningful posts! Thank you for sharing your heart and gifts with us!
Love this …. So simple and so true!
Oh Ann…you always know just what to post and when. I need to remind myself of this and today I will start making my list. I like one readers suggestion about creating a weekly list to review at the end if the year.
I have been struggling the past two weeks with the sad news that my brother who is only five years older than me has terminal cancer. It is a rare cancer that affects less than 1% … started in the lung and has pretty much destroyed the liver. He is an amazing brother, husband, father and grandfather. A man who is deep in his faith.
I have been so overwhelmed with sadness. We spent two hours on his deck the other day just talking. It was a special visit like no other. I need to stop today and write about it because the experience brought me so much joy.
Thank you for bringing so much joy to my life. I too love the realness of your posts. Your granddaughter is darling…I can see the joy in your face. We are getting a new fence and I cannot wait to plant a clematis.
Every Sunday I make a list of everything I have been grateful for in the previous week. It can be simple , everyday things (eg. I cut the lawn before it rained), special events or even “I have all my basic needs met”. I place all of my gratitude lists into a small box . OnNew Years Eve, I open my box and read my 52 lists of everything I have been blessed with for the past year. It is a great way to remind myself of everything I have experienced in my life and a good way to start the new year.
I loved this! Thank you for the reminder to count our blessings. My parents are both gone now, and I often try to remember things we did together that back in the day that I took for granted. It’s a shame I didn’t enjoy some of those special things when they happened. Your clematis is really lovely. Happy Sunday.
One of my special things that make me happy? A sunset.
Thanks Ann! Always a good reminder! One thing I am grateful for are your lovely posts!
What a little sweetheart Anne!! Thanks for the reminder we have sooo much to be grateful for. Have a wonderful Sunday😊 .
Oh Ann I loved the printable and the list. Thanks for the reminder to enjoy all those little things.
Awww, this is so perfect Ann and your granddaughter is adorable! Have a great week ahead.
Your beautiful post made me smile today. Thank you.
Finding joy in the smallest of things is a wonderful gift not everyone is blessed with. Ann, your suggestion of a gratitude list is a wonderful idea.
Anne~
I am grateful to be alive, grateful my husband only has short term memory loss, and not long term. Grateful for a man who love me with all his heart. Grateful for our two beautiful daughters.
For my mom who is still with us at 93.
For my 7 sisters.
For living in a small town.
And trust me I can go on, but you get the picture.
Have a wonderful Sunday.
Much love,
Rose
We are all blessed in many ways we don’t know. Your list idea is helpful to remind me of my many blessings. And to give thanks for each.
As always your posts make me smile. Lovely pic of you and yr g/daughter. I would smile as well to see a blooming clematis like that.I also see a lovely peony bush in the picture as well.
Oh Ann, I got a phone call yesterday. Her name came up and I said oh Margaret. It wasn’t Margaret. My best friend for 50 years. It was Karen, her daughter to tell me her mother passed away. Margaret was annoyed it took me a while to get my bag of things from her house. I kept meaning to call her. Now she’s gone. And Karen told me her mom was not mad at me that she loved me. I am so greatful for the two friends, both gone now. For my son. My twin grand babies. For God giving me a man who adores me. For you blog ladies who share your talents and thoughts. That it is very hard for me to walk but I can for a trip around the grocery store. For books to read and music to listen to. My dog who is my companion. The things mom taught me that I know now we’re important.
And I thank God He is in my heart and life.
They all sound good to me.
I’m enjoying that first cup of coffee as I read this. Your granddaughter is adorable. I look forward to our coffee on July 9.
Thank you for your post on making a gratitude list. I have thought of doing it, but somehow it overwhelmed me and I haven’t done it. You make it sound like something one could do without fretting about it…..I will do one, and thank you so much for writing about it.
Ann… How lovely! Thank – you so very much.. and it comes in a timely manner for me… 😌. The print is lovely!! I use your prints during different holidays in pretty frames I purchase on Amazon. I probably have most every one of your prints and I especially love Your Christmas holiday prints!!!
Again… thank – you for the inspirational post.. 🙏😉😘..
as always, perfect start to the day.. thanks
Ann. The one thing that I especially love about this blog is the “real ness of life” you share. It’s so important these days to be real. Too much fake ness in the world and I believe that God encourages us to share with people. All things are important
My husband and I were out of town and we went into an antique shop in the town we were visiting. The gentleman that owns the shop starting telling me about his mother. Who had just moved in with he and his wife. He just needed to talk. I’ve been through what he is going through now so I hope just listening to him helped. The ironic thing is that when we stopped and stayed at the lodge. We were sitting and another person came up and started talking. Almost about the same thing the gentleman had talked about. How God directs our paths and puts people in our life is just so amazing to me. You help us all in your sharing. So thank you so much Such a wonderful way of reminding us that our glass is more than half full.
Very nice. I wake up and thank God every day. It makes for a good start.
Thank you for the inspiration, and as always, love the pictures of your granddaughter, and your little
schnauzer!!
What an adorable picture of you with your granddaughter!