Today is Ash Wednesday. The beginning of the season of Lent. A time of reflection, of forgiveness, and the joy of Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice for the good of mankind.

This year I have decided to be very intentional during this season. I want to commit to something significant to my faith journey. Something to fill my soul.

Gratitude.

I’m going to make a list of ten things I’m grateful for each day until Easter. Each item needs to be unique.

That’s 10 – TEN. Daily. No repeats.

I told my husband and he said, that seems like a lot, maybe five would be easier? Yes indeed dear husband, five would be much easier, but that’s not what this season is about.

I don’t want it to be easy. I want it to be thought-provoking and challenging but beyond worthwhile.

Who will join me in this journey? I have a brand new journal that has been waiting for me to do something profound with it.

So there is no confusion, I plan to start on Ash Wednesday and end the Saturday before Easter, skipping Sundays in between. So that will be 10 unique reasons I’m grateful each day for 40 days – 400 unique reasons to be grateful.

Imagine on a bad day to be able to pull out this notebook and read 400 reasons I have to smile.

If you need a refresher on gratitude and why it’s important, I wrote about it last August here.

Whatever you decide to do this Lenten season, whether it be joining me in the gratitude challenge, giving something up, or just immersing yourself in the bible (I recommend Mark!), I hope you do it with a reflective, forgiving, and joyful heart.

If you need a reminder of the meaning behind Ash Wednesday and the Lenten season, this is a great article outlining the journey to Easter.

Happy Ash Wednesday everyone!

I’d love to know if you’ll be joining me in the gratitude challenge!

Until Next Time,

Neko