Warrior Slices

Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Gratitude Month - Week 1

If you have questions about this assignment, please read the introductory instructions: click here.

Sister Jackson's Super Post for Week One:

1. It is difficult to know what to write about first when I have so much to be thankful for. I guess I'll express my deep appreciation for being able to write. I love words and communicating with others, and life would not be the same for me if I could not write. Today I am especially thankful that I'm able to share my gratitude over this coming month with you.

2. Taking time out to watch movies with the people I love is one of my favorite things. Whenever we can, my children and I love to flop down on our giant bean bags in the basement and watch movies as a family. When I get together with my lady friends for a girls night out, we go to the movies. When I go to visit family out of state, we try to squeeze in a movie. I have one particular friend that I watch movies with long distance, calling it a watch-along, and it's a cherished time just for us. One thing I don't like much is going to the movies on dates with people I barely know. Nevertheless, watching movies makes me happy, and I am thankful to have access to such a luxury.

3. I'm grateful for fresh water. That might sound basic to you, but I mean it. Every once in awhile I catch myself taking it for granted; however, as soon as I notice, I correct myself. Not everyone around the world has access to such plentiful and clean water. It is something I hope I never forget to have gratitude for.

4. Being able to care for my family as well as I do fills me with gratitude and humility. I have strength of mind and body (well, that first part is debatable.); I have a job that I love, which makes it possible for me to provide for their needs as well as mine; and there are innumerable people who give us support in many ways in which I cannot help us. Because of others helping me, I am able to do more than is humanly possible.

5. I am thankful for music. I enjoy songs from almost every genre created. It began with show tunes in movie musicals and classical music, expanding my horizons to oldies, country/western, and then in the 80s, it exploded from there. My love of music has yet to cool.

6. My home is a place of comfort for me. I grew up in the same house since I was two years old, and it's still owned by my family, so settling in somewhere of my own has felt right. Although, over the past year, I have realized that home is where the heart is, so I don't feel so attached to the actual location but more of the idea of home. Having a place to share with my loved ones, to spend time and to feel safe and cherished with them, grants peace in my crazy world. My heart is full at these thoughts.

7. I'm truly thankful for flowers. I love fragrant flowers, beautiful flowers, spring tulips and lilacs, summer roses and sunflowers, and all of the more rare autumn blooms. Flowers in my yard, hanging in baskets, or cut in a vase, there's something about flowers that I love.

Monday, October 26, 2015

Gratitude Month - Introduction

What to expect:

1. The first blog post will open on November 3. One blog post will open each week for the month of November.
2. You will write one super post* per week. You determine which day you will complete the assignment, so long as it is complete by Saturday night of the corresponding week before 9:00 p.m. MST to be considered on-time.
3. Seven gratitude bites** will be required as part of the super post for each of the first three weeks.
4. The last nine gratitude bites will be due in one super post no later than Tuesday, December 1 at 9:00 p.m. MST to be considered on-time. (DES who are working at a different pace, you will have until the DE deadline.)

*Super posts must include seven gratitude bites representing the seven days included in one week, except for the last week requiring nine because of the Thanksgiving holiday.

**Gratitude bites are a short paragraph of 3-5 sentences, and their theme should be what you're thankful for.

Community Expectations:

Replies are required to receive full credit. Minimum three replies on three separate super posts per week constitutes full participation.

Remember to be encouraging, sharing, and positive. Constructive criticisms are welcome, but be careful in your wording because it is easy to misinterpret written word. Any blatant negativity will be deleted and participation points will be taken away.

Throughout Gratitude Month:

Each student will sign up to report on one gratitude bite as part of the writing project. Expanding the original bite, you can choose to write an essay, do a class presentation, or create a YouTube video***. For DES, if you do not have the ability to do a shareable video, please write an essay.

Be prepared to present your bite on the date you sign up.

For DES who are doing this assignment on a later schedule, please do whichever option you'd like. If time permits, we will watch them as a class, but if not, I will certainly watch your video presentations.

***Please set all YouTube videos that you create for class to "Unlisted" and share the link with me via email. Doing so will ensure your privacy on the internet.

I look forward to sharing our gratitude bites as a class community.