Gratitude Journaling, (d)advent readings [Weekend WRAP 114]
Hey Reader, I hope you're having a great Thanksgiving weekend (in America) and looking forward to the holiday season. A couple little things before we start the main things...
Advent season starts next Sunday, on December 3rd. It's one of my favorite times of the year — helping me focus on things bigger things, reflect on the year as it closes, and be grateful for all the blessings in my life.
I'm putting together a series of readings based on my own study, each week focusing on a key theme of advent: hope, peace, joy, and love. I'll note that I'm writing these with a male reader in mind, especially dads, but anyone can sign up to receive the messages.
If you would like to receive the daily (d)advent reading — click here. I'll send the first one next Sunday, December 3rd.
YouTube is back! (on Tuesday)
My first YouTube video in nearly 11 months will release on Tuesday — set your reminders, subscribe to the channel for notifications, ring the bell, all those things! I'm excited to publish the video and get this going again 📹
💡 Idea of the Week: Gratitude Journaling
Thanksgiving weekend is the official kickoff of the holiday season, and one of the practices I enjoy the most is my year-end gratitude journaling practice.
Each day, I jot down moments, big or small, that bring me happiness. Examples include a holiday party with family and friends, quiet moments of peace amid the festive hustle, and that first sip of morning coffee while the Christmas tree lights illuminate the early morning.
I encourage you to give it a try! Grab any notebook and start writing down things you're thankful for each day. It could be a beautiful winter morning, the taste of your favorite holiday dish, or the joy of giving and receiving gifts.
The idea is to capture the essence of this festive season and the happiness it brings. And let me tell you, putting these feelings on paper makes them even more special.
Gratitude journaling reminds us of the wonderful experiences and people we have in our lives. It's a way to close the year on a positive note and carry that excitement and thankfulness into the new year.
I hope you find this as fulfilling as I have. It's a simple, yet powerful way to celebrate the season's spirit and the joy it brings. Let's make the most of these happy times and carry this gratitude into the year ahead.
📹 Videos to Watch: How to Give Gifts
One of my favorite YouTube videos in 2021 was Van Neistat's The Rules of Gifting. He shares three parts of a great gift, the trinity of gift giving, if you will.
- Nice
- Made
- Thoughtful
Every gift should cover two of the three rules, but a great gift covers all three. For example, my brother Mark gave me an engraved pocket knife for my 40th birthday. The knife was nice, engraved with my name (made), and thoughtful.
The other part of the video I liked was Van's advice to look for expensive, not costly gifts. His example was really nice socks. You can get a great pair for $25 — which is expensive for socks! But it doesn't cost that much.
📰 Advent Reading: Daily (D)Advent
As noted in the open, I'll be sending a daily advent reading starting next Sunday, December 3rd. Each week will focus on one of these themes as we go through the advent season.
- Hope: sharing personal reflections and questions for fathers to ponder or discuss with their family.
- Peace: in daily life, balancing work and family, and fostering a peaceful home environment.
- Joy: in fatherhood, simple joys of life, and ways to spread joy within the family and community.
- Love: in family life, the role of a father in nurturing love, and how love can be shown in everyday actions.
If you want to join us in the daily reading, click here or the button below. Anyone can get the emails, but they are directed to a male reader.
| Get the Daily (D)Advent Readings |
Thanks for reading this edition of the WRAP. If you are new you can also read the archive here. You can also reply to this email and let me know which lesson resonated with you the most. I would enjoy hearing from you!
Have a great day,
Matt Ragland
p.s. if you have a (literal) minute to share feedback, click here.