P365: Allison

I'm a list-maker.

I love to write things down to ensure that I don't forget. Don't forget the things I need to do--or the things that I have done.

I love to make a task list and, more often than not, include a few things that I have already done so I have the instant gratification of crossing things off of my list. Sort of a, "You're already productive! Keep going! You can do it!"

I also love to keep lists as a means of reflection: the 100 Books I read between my 26th and 30th birthdays; the Christmas gifts I might make for family members next year; the song lyrics that I have sung hundreds of times, but one day struck me or moved me to tears. I love to go back every few months and read through the things that I have seen or felt or accomplished.

Frequently appearing on such lists {both types, actually} is gratitude. Moments I experienced overwhelming gratefulness or people to whom I owed an expression of gratitude {note or gift card} litter the lists on my phone and laptop.

I began to consider what it might be like to write 365 thank you notes in 365 days. It seemed {and still seems} a bit overwhelming, but in a really great way.

And, so, Project365 was born.

Here's what I'm committing to do everyday for 365 days:

Be Grateful: I will write 365 Thank You notes in 365 days. I believe that my heart will be stretched as I seek words to articulate my gratitude toward the people in my life. I also believe that people love to receive mail, so it's really a win-win.

Be Active: Move around for 25 minutes each day: dancing, running, stretching, biking, roller skating...no sweating or calorie counting required...though it's also not prohibited. Just movement for at least 25 minutes.

Be Expressive: I love to write, but get a little caught up in my own head, {"how could anyone possibly be interested in this?"...which is tied in to my fourth P365} but this year, I am hoping to blog {either on this blog or my personal blog} or journal once-a-day to record my thoughts and feelings and stretch my writing muscle.

Be Bold: Everyday I will do something to push past my fears: asking a question about a political or financial term I am embarrassed to admit that I don't understand, speak-up in a meeting in which I feel like my voice doesn't carry any weight, practice playing an instrument that--much to my chagrin--I don't already play with incredible skill. Something that would be easily, but to the detriment of my self-confidence, ignored.

I am really looking forward to Project 365. I'm excited to begin, and record the progress, but I think I am most excited to see who we are at the end of this process. I'm anticipating lessons and tears and unmet expectation and exceeded dreams and a heck-of-a-lot of life-change.

I hope you'll consider joining us. Please let us know if you do.