I am fine. No, that was an understatement. Actually, I am feeling phenomenal good. Every day I can decide on how to spend my time, completely free without restrictions. The water I’m drinking is extraordinarily clean and, even more importantly, free of germs, bacteria, and pathogens. Also, don’t have to worry where to get my food for the next day. My civil rights are being protected by a state that allows me to express my opinion (freedom of speech) without having to fear prosecution. Our children are rising up without war and famines and have the chance to get an excellent education.
Are you aware of the beauty of your life?
Have you noticed something at this point? I, you and all the other people that read these lines have a hundred times easier, safer and better life than millions of other people from third world countries will ever be able to experience.
But are we aware of these facts? Not really, instead of being grateful most of us don’t even realize how amazing our lives are. People lose the appreciation of their beautiful lives while concentrating on problems and being pessimistic about their current “terrible situation”. We consider thousands of things in our lives for granted, because it’s totally normal for us, like being able to have a shower, or to have food on our tables, day after day. Each of us takes a shower once or twice a day, but for an African that is living with his tribe in the desert such a waste of water for hygienic purposes would be absolutely fatal. Furthermore, the vast majority of us does not have to worry about whether they are going to have something to eat for the next day, as our main trouble is on what to eat the next day – something that might be a pure luxury for someone living in an area where there are limited resources of food.
Have you ever noticed the fact that slum dwellers in third world countries are often even happier as thousands of residents in our civilization, even though to the fact that they lack so many things from food to luxury articles like a TV? Could it be that these people appreciate their lives a lot more, due to the fact of not being able to know whether they are able to enjoy the next day? Perhaps they don’t even focus on material things or tangibles like money, instead, they enjoy the time with their family and esteem social values like deep friendships by far more than we do?
Change your point of view and you will be amazed of the new outlook
Dear friend, please think a bit about your own life! Instead of constantly dealing with the negative aspects of our lives, we should make ourselves conscious that we have a great chance given and that we can take every step necessary to make our lives even more beautiful. If we risk an even closer look onto our lives we might even notice that it is already really amazing. It just depends on our mindsets and our point of view. Don’t waste your time trying to find evidence why especially your life is so hard, instead appreciate things in life you already achieved and even more important: esteem these things that are not taken for granted for residents of poorer countries.
What are the things that you are grateful for in your life?
It’s nearly November, which means it’s time for the (15th!) Annual Positively Present Gratitude Challenge! I love focusing on gratitude throughout November as it’s often a hectic month and doing this Challenge helps me slow down and focus on what I’m thankful for. This year’s Challenge is loosely themed around my new coloring journal, The Story of You. You don’t need to have the book to participate, but the journal is another great tool for helping you to focus on what matters most. If you’re new to the Challenge, details (as well as info on each prompt) are below:
THE CHALLENGE DETAILS
“Challenge” is just a word.
The goal is to focus on (and share, if you’d like!) a specific theme every day as a way to practice more gratitude. Feel free to get creative with the Challenge. You can make up your own prompts (I’ve done this for 15 years so there are lots to choose from in the archives!), do the prompts in a different order, etc. Gratitude is the only point so do whatever works for you!
Join in at any time.
You can start the challenge on November 1, as I will, and do it for the whole month, or you can start the challenge any time that works for you and follow along at your own pace. I see people discovering and partaking in the Challenge all year, so don’t feel limited to the 30 days of November! And don’t feel like you have to rush or you’ll get behind. The goal is gratitude, not stress, so make it fun for yourself!
Use the hashtag #Gratitude30.
If you share your pics on Pinterest, Instagram, X, Facebook, etc., tag them with #Gratitude30 if you’d like me and others to see them. Click on the hashtag on any platform, and you’ll be able to see how others interpret the prompts every day. Because this hashtag has been used for well over a decade, there’s lots of inspiration to explore!
THE 2025 PROMPTS…
As a reminder, these are just the prompts I came up with for this year. Feel free to make your own, do them in a different order, or use prompts from previous Challenges if these don’t resonate with you!
DAY 1: Your Favorite Story
For the first day of the Challenge, focus your attention on a story you really love. This can be a story in your life that you love hearing or telling. This can be a childhood story that brings you comfort or a book you recently fell in love with. Whatever comes to mind when you think of the word “story” is what you should focus on today!
DAY 2: Clothing You Love To Wear
Today’s goal is to appreciate the clothing you wear. What’s your favorite outfit? What do you wear most often? What makes you feel like your best self? Or, what item(s) of clothing have special meaning for you? Whatever question you want to reflect on today, take your pick and turn your gratitude to the fabrics that clothe you.
DAY 3: Emotions You Feel Frequently
Reflect on your emotions today, particularly the ones you feel frequently. I’m a person of high highs and low lows so my emotional state can very greatly, but there are definitely some feelings I feel more often than others. Today, give your attention to variety of emotions you feel and take special notice of the ones you experience most often.
DAY 4: A Color You Enjoy Seeing
For today’s prompt, focus on color, particularly a color you really enjoy seeing. My favorite color’s orange, and whenever I see it, it brightens my mood. What colors do you enjoy seeing? Why do you enjoy them? Maybe you associate them with positive experiences, or maybe you just like them! Whatever the reason, celebrate your favorite colors today.
DAY 5: What You Find Comforting
Comfort is essential for getting us through difficult times. Consider, today, what you find to be comforting. When you’re in need of comfort, what’s your go-to activity? Who do you turn to? Are there specific objects, scents, songs, etc. that bring you comfort? Focus on being grateful for the comfort these things give you.
DAY 6: The Best Season Of The Year
If you had to pick one season to live in always, which one would be it? Today’s the day to think about your favorite season and what you love about it. How do you feel during this season? What do you do differently? What do you wear or eat or experience? If it’s not currently that season, try to bring a bit of that time of year into your life today.
DAY 7: Songs You Love To Listen To
Today’s focus is on celebrating all of the songs you love to listen to! What songs do you listen to most often? What songs do you classify as “forever favorites?” If you can, make a playlist of your favorite songs and listen to them on repeat today as you appreciate their impact on your life. (Also, take a moment to reflect on all of the people who worked hard to make those songs exist!)
DAY 8: Activities You Have Fun Doing
Turn your gratitude toward activities you enjoy doing. If you had time to do whatever you wanted today, what would you do? What are the activities that you do frequently that you have a lot of fun doing? If possible, try to do something fun today and allow yourself to truly appreciate how nice it is to have fun.
DAY 9: Friends You’re Lucky To Have
Celebrate the joy of friendship with today’s prompt. Who are you most thankful for when it comes to friendship? Use to today as a reminder to reflect on the power and joy of friendship and how much it positively impacts your life. (Also, take a moment to tell your friends how much you love them today!)
DAY 10: Animals That Make You Smile
What animal(s) bring a smile to your face? These can be animals you live with, animals you see frequently, or just animals that you like for whatever reason. Use today’s prompt to consider the ways animals can inspire, uplift, and transform you, and focus on the impact animals have had in your life and the lives of others.
DAY 11: A Time You Were Fearless
Today, appreciate a time that you were fearless. You might think you’re not the fearless type, but everyone is fearless in their own way. Every one of us has had to be brave at some point. You are so much braver than you know, so use today’s prompt to reflect on a time that you acted bravely (even if you felt very scared while doing it!).
DAY 12: What (Or Who) Uplifts You
Who are the people that lift you up when you’re feeling down? These can be people you know in real life or people who inspire you online or through other forms of media. Whether it’s a character in a book or a friend you’ve had all your life, we all have people who help raise our spirits, and today’s the day to be grateful for them!
DAY 13: An Act of True Kindness
November 13 is World Kindness Day! Celebrate the day by appreciating the kindness you’ve given and received throughout your life. Look back on the kind acts that have given you hope and happiness. Think about the ways you aim to be kind to others. And, if possible, commit a random act of kindness today.
DAY 14: What You Are Proud Of
What are you most proud of? This doesn’t have to be anything major. Sometimes the smallest choices or actions can fill us with a sense of pride. Whether you’re focusing on something big or small today, make sure you take time out of your day to consider how far you’ve come and what you’ve already accomplished. Be proud of yourself!
DAY 15: Your Favorite Memories
What are you favorite memories? Spend time today revisiting some of the memories that matter most to you, particularly those that bring a smile to your face. If possible, share the memory with someone you care about — either someone who was involved in it or just someone who would enjoy hearing you recollect on the positive aspects of the past.
DAY 16: A Book That Made You Think
Books are magical, in that they can take us to places we’ve never been and make us think about life in entirely new ways. Today, think about some of the best books you’ve read and how they’ve impacted the way you see the world. If you have time, consider re-reading one of your old favorites today and see how you think about it now!
DAY 17: What You Love About Nature
Nature is an incredible force, and we are lucky to be a part of it. Even if, like me, you’re not an outdoorsy person, there’s likely something you really enjoy about nature. The plants, animals, and seasons. The clouds, stars, and sky. There are so many aspects of nature to be appreciative of, and today’s the day to give them your attention!
DAY 18: Tasks That Bring You Joy
Today, appreciate all of the little tasks that bring you joy. These can be anything — maybe it’s the way water feels while washing your hands or the satisfaction you get when you restock the refrigerator or maybe it’s the orderly way you make a to-do list each day — but whatever they are, make sure that you take time to notice and appreciate them today.
DAY 19: Lessons You’ve Learned
Life loves to teach, and whether you consider yourself a lifelong learner or not, you’re always being taught new life lessons. What are some of the most important lessons you’ve learned? If you could give someone younger than you one piece of advice, what would it be? Reflect on those lessons today and be thankful for the ways they’ve changed your life.
DAY 20: Where You Find Beauty
Beauty is everywhere, but it’s subjective. What do you find beautiful? Do you often see beauty in people, in nature, in art? Pay attention, today, to the places you notice beauty the most. As you notice where you find beauty, give your gratitude to the things/people/etc. that you find most beautiful, as these are the things that brighten your world.
DAY 21: What Makes You Laugh
Laughing is one of my all-time favorite activities, and I bet you enjoy it, too! What is something that never fails to make you laugh? Maybe it’s a memory or a film or a silly podcasting duo. Maybe it’s your puppy or your best friend or the girl at work always cracking jokes. Regardless of what it is, make time to appreciate laughter today. (And try your best to find reasons to laugh!)
DAY 22: A Place You Feel At Home
Where do you feel most at home? This can be the place where you live now, your childhood home, a country where you grew up, or even a person who feels like home to you. It could also just be a place where you feel comfortable and at ease. Wherever home is for you, use this prompt to reflect on how thankful you are to feel at home.
DAY 23: Love Given or Received
Love is a small word for such an enormous concept. We can love so many people and things and experiences in so many different ways. Today, reflect on the love you’ve given and received. Celebrate the love you have in your life now as well as love you’ve experienced in the past. If possible, do something to show someone love today (and that “someone” can be you!).
DAY 24: Art That Inspires You
Art is one of the driving forces in my life, and I can’t fathom my existence without it. Whether you feel the same as me or art is just something you encounter sporadically, turn your attention to art of all kinds today and appreciate the ways it can evoke emotion. If you have a favorite artist, take some time to reflect on the work that went into their art and appreciate its beauty.
DAY 25: A Film You Enjoy Watching
Today, consider how many films you’ve seen over the course of your life and which ones have stuck with you. I’m no film buff, but there are many movies that have made a lasting impact on me. Are there films you watch over and over again? Movies you’ve seen only once but think about often? Use today’s prompt as an opportunity to reflect the magic of movies.
DAY 26: The Best Kind of Weather
What’s the best kind of weather, according to you? Do you love a bright, sunny day with cloudless skies? Or would you prefer an overcast, rainy day? You don’t have to choose one kind of weather — just use this prompt as a guide to think about the weather you enjoy most and be grateful for all of the various kinds of weather that bring variety into our lives!
DAY 27: Your Favorite Food to Eat
If you could eat anything right now, what would it be? Use today’s prompt to think about the food you enjoy eating. Whether you focus on the foods you eat often or those treats that you save for special occasions, allow today’s prompt to encourage your appreciation of the food you eat and celebrate the experience of eating what you love.
DAY 28: Wisdom That Resonates
Words of wisdom are wonderful, and today’s the day we’re going to give them our attention and gratitude. What are some of the wisest words you’ve ever read or heard? Have you come up with any words of wisdom on your own? Use this prompt to be thankful for all of the wisdom that’s been learned and shared throughout your life.
DAY 29: A Goal You’re Working on
Today, appreciate a goal you’re currently working on. This can be a habit you’re trying to break, a lifelong dream you’re working to achieve, or whatever else you’re currently working on. It doesn’t have to be anything big! Having a goal, even a small one, can have a great impact on you, so take time to appreciate it today.
DAY 30: Reasons You Love Yourself
On the final day of the gratitude challenge, focus on the reasons you love yourself. Remind yourself of all your wonderful traits. You bring good things into the world just by being yourself, and today’s the day to celebrate that. Spend time today, if you can, making a list of all of the reasons you’re grateful to be who you are.
“Enthusiasm is the electricity of life.” ~Gordon Parks
Have you ever noticed how powerful enthusiasm is? It can be contagious.
If a friend or someone around us is enthusiastic there’s a certain energy or presence that shines from them that can be infectious. It doesn’t even matter what they’re enthusiastic about; if we’re in their presence, it’s easy to be lifted up by their energy.
I’ve always loved seeing people express their enthusiasm. It brings such an authentic quality of who they are through the things that excite them. The thing they’re excited about may seem insignificant to others, but their enthusiasm shines with something very special—a quality of their presence that’s beyond words, beyond the stress, dramas, or stories that sometimes take hold in life.
I had an experience recently with a friend of mine that inspired me to share my enthusiasm for enthusiasm.
I’d just finished having dinner when I received a text message from my friend, telling me she’d just finished making some home-made chocolate and had a piece for me. She was keen to know what I thought about it.
She said, “I’ll bring it to work tomorrow,” but then quickly followed up with “Or, I’m going to visit friends soon and I’ll be passing by, so I could possibly drop it off.”
I could really feel her enthusiasm, and I don’t mind some good homemade chocolate, so I said, “Sure, bring it over.”
To give some more context to the story, the previous week, I was sitting next to her in the staff room at work as she was eating some chocolate she’d made at home. She offered me a piece, but did warn me, “It’s a little dry.”
Dry, yes! Pasty, very!
She’d made it using leftovers, peanut butter being a main ingredient. But not just any peanut butter, probably the last part in the jar, where all the oil has risen to the top, leaving the bottom extremely dry and pasty. Mixed with some cacao powder, a little honey, and I can’t remember what else, the taste was good but the texture made it hard to swallow without some fluid.
We both had a good laugh about it, and she told me when she makes a new batch she’d give me a taste, no doubt to redeem herself.
So now, a week later, she was now dropping off her new chocolate creation.
When I saw her, I could see her excitement to share it with me and know what I thought about it. As I tried it she made the comment, “Was it a little creepy asking if I could drop it off?”
It’s interesting how we can often feel self-conscious about our actions when we’re enthusiastic. It doesn’t actually happen when we’re enthusiastic, it’s when we drop out of it, into our ordinary thinking mind and start questioning ourselves. We can be so spontaneous, but then have moments of thoughts like, “Is that okay?” “Am I crazy?” or “What will my friends think?” that disconnect us from the experience.
If I didn’t feel her enthusiasm I might have thought it was a little strange; however, I’ve always found it easy to feel people’s excitement and passion. The thing they’re excited about may not always be my cup of tea, but their enthusiasm always is.
For me, interacting with people is really about human connection, so in a way, the content of the interaction is secondary. In this case the chocolate was delicious, but connecting with her enthusiasm was more important!
It’s so easy to connect with people when we’re expressing feelings like enthusiasm. It creates a warmth that’s instantly uplifting.
Enthusiasm is like a joyous fire, and for me, when someone is in that state, it’s easy to meet them there. It’s connecting on a level beyond words.
The Sun Inside
In astrology the sun refers to the highest aspect of our self, or Higher Self.
I like the metaphor of the sun, because when people are expressing feelings like enthusiasm, wonder, curiosity, compassion, or love there is something of this sun principle shining through.
The sun inside.
When we see people shining with enthusiasm, it’s usually about something; in this story, it would be my friend’s chocolate creation, but for me the “something” is more a handle into their sun inside. Their presence.
Like knows like. When we witness this shining it’s easy to be uplifted because we recognize their sun from our own sun, and the reason it feels so good is because we’re in touch with our own sun.
Why is this important?
The sun inside is the source of our true happiness. It’s an unwavering force of vitality, joy, and fullness. It’s the spark of life, beyond the limitations of the mind.
If we look at the word “enthusiasm,” we can find its roots in the Greek word entheos. Entheos comes from en, which means “in” or “inside” and theos, which means “god,” so entheos can be translated as “god inside.”
Whether you resonate with the word “god” or not, what it’s pointing to is that there is something very special about the expression of enthusiasm. Something that comes from deep inside us.
Think of a time when you were doing something enthusiastically.
Take a moment to feel it.
What were you doing?
How did you feel?
Was it easy to lose track of time when you’re doing it?
It felt good, right? There was a fullness inside. The things that might usually weigh on your mind just don’t exist in that state.
Separating Sun from Fear
I’ve found a powerful observation to make is that when we’re in a state of enthusiasm and those thoughts come in and we start questioning our spontaneity, they come from a very different part of our mind, a part that is usually graspy, controlling, and fear-based—not our sun.
When I feel enthusiastic, I feel a fullness and warmth in my heart and a sense that I could do anything, but if I have a thought of something like, “Is this okay?” or “Am I just weird?” I feel small, empty, and fearful.
The next time you’re having a moment of spontaneous enthusiasm notice the sense of freedom and aliveness that comes. Then, if doubting thoughts come in, notice how restrictive and lifeless they are.
This is important because it helps us separate the real, authentic parts of ourselves from the fearful and disconnected parts. The more clarity we gain here, the more choice we have to live authentically from our sun.
Cultivating Enthusiasm
To start cultivating your sunny enthusiasm, simply start by noticing it when it comes and pay attention to it. In those moments when it comes, just allow yourself to feel it. By feeling it, I mean enjoying it! Resist the temptation to question it.
What are the things you’re passionate about? Do them! These are the things that will bring out your enthusiasm.
Notice how your enthusiasm, your sun, naturally uplifts people. Your enthusiasm, besides making you feel good, is a gift to others. There may be people who react negatively, but keep in mind that’s more about them than you. If they weren’t reacting to you, they’d be reacting to someone else.
Notice other people’s enthusiasm and how it can spark something in you.
Enthusiasm is awakening. It makes us feel alive and part of something greater than just ourselves.
Just the fact of keeping it in your awareness will naturally help you discover and cultivate more.
Remember, it is contagious, but this is something the world needs more of, so go ahead and share your enthusiasm.
