July Love the Moment Challenge ReCap

July’s Love the Moment Challenge was all about discovery.  For half of July, our family was on a road trip so we stored all of our holiday treasures in a box. Here they are!

This simple idea really is a fantastic thing for kids. You can follow along with the “treasure hunt” (template in the previous post) or use the box as a place to store all the little things kids find so facinating. For example: leaves, sticks, shells, rocks, shinny things and paper.

I have found it helps minimise how many “collections” we bring home with us.  If it doesn’t fit in the discovery box, we don’t take it with us.

August Love the Moment Challenge

This month’s challenge is inspired by something a friend did for me.  Back in January, I was struggling…with everything really, due to the Queensland Floods. My interstate friend sent me a package to bless me. Inside the package was a bag of notes (and chocolate!).  On the notes were little things to do, quotes and Bible verses that were so encouraging. Everyday, I pulled out something from the bag to read. It really helped me through the tough time. It was an incrediblly special gift!

What I’ve planned for this month’s challenge is a Happy Box.  The idea of the happy box is to notice and enjoy the simple little things that are everywhere. It’s also about sharing joy with others.

I need to be reminded to look around me sometimes. It’s easy to get caught up in the busyness of life so I forget to love as I live.  I forget to smile at the person at the checkout in the supermarket because I’m in a hurry. I forget to enjoy my tea and find it later, cold. I forget to listen to the birds. And that’s a shame because there are so many little happy things to enjoy all around me.

The Happy Box

What you need:

Small Box

Paper

How to use it

Here are a few ways you can use a happy box:

1. Print The Happy Box template, cut out each card, place them in a box and pull one (or two!) out everyday or when you need a little boost.
2. Print the Blank Happy Box template, write messages on the cards, cut out and place in a box to encourage a friend.
3. Print the Blank Happy Box template and fill it with your own happy ideas, verses or quotes. Pull out a card whenever you fee like it.
4. Print the Blank Happy Box template and write on the cards things you are grateful for. Pull out a card whenever you fee like it.

40 Happy Ideas

Below are 40 happy ideas I thought of. They are also on the pretty template at the end of the post.

1. Ring a friend

2. Write a card for someone

3. Wear lip-gloss

4. Buy fresh flowers

5. Give your child 10 kisses

6. Take a photograph of something that makes you happy

7. Light a candle

8. Pick a wild flower

9. Listen to your favourite song

10. Read a magazine

11. Sit in the sun for a minute

12. Smile at a stranger

13. Walk barefoot on the grass

14. Reconnect with someone

15. Have dessert

16. Wear a necklace

17. Have a moment of quiet

18. Look at the stars

19. Visit a second hand shop

20. Bring to mind a special memory

21. Watch water run

22. Stand under a tree

23. Enjoy tea in a pretty cup

24. Stretch

25. Scribble on a note pad 5 goals

26. Google a dream holiday destination

27. Wear a flower in your hair

28. Put vanilla sticks in your clothes drawers

29. Print a picture

30. Take 10 deep breaths

31. Do a random act of kindness

32. Look through old photos

33. Put moisturising cream on your hands before bed

34. Watch the sunset

35.  Look for butterflies

36. Watch the clouds for a minute

37. Compliment someone

38. Listen to the birds

39. Find a pretty leaf

40. Go somewhere high and enjoy the view

{Click the picture to print The Happy Box Template}

{click picture to print Blank Happy Box template}

Previous Challenges

Love the Moment Challenge: January

Love the Moment Challenge: February

Love the Moment Challenge: March

Love the Moment Challenge: April

Love the Moment Challenge: May

Love the Moment Challenge: June

Love the Moment Challenge: July