a harvest of blessing | birthday edition | THE KLACKNERS

5.21.2014

a harvest of blessing | birthday edition

Hey guys, I'm super excited to be posting here on Meg's blog today, I just love this space! If you don't already know me, I'm Chantel and I blog over at A Harvest of Blessing; mostly sharing a bit about our adoption journey, some of my adventures in gluten free baking, and a bloggers favorite thing to write about: blogging. I live with my husband and extroverted daughter in the rectangle province of Saskatchewan right in the middle of the Canadian prairies.
 

I was excited to read the date that Megan asked me to post on because today is my twenty-eighth birthday! I always get reflective around my birthday, thinking about the things that happened in the last year and the things I hope happen in the next. Each year about this time I write a list of goals, the same number of items as the year I am turning; I recently shared my list of twenty-eight things. Since I'm feeling older and (slightly) wiser I thought I would share a few things I've learned in the last few years:

When you are feeling down, the best thing to do is encourage someone else. Sometimes it can be too easy to get caught up in our own lives and problems and throw ourselves a little pity party, but look around you, chances are you know someone who is worse off that could use some encouragement.

It's important to get into the habit of praying before you do something. This is a lesson I am continually learning but I've got some friends who are great prayer warriors and who have the natural instinct to pray before they take action, and I strive to be more like them.

Be inviting. As an introvert my natural tendency is to keep to myself as much as I possibly can, but I don't think that's always Biblical. I've found that I need to learn the art of hospitality. It's impossible for people to see Christ in you if you never leave your house.

Always be willing to be the first to smile. A simple smile makes someone appear so much more friendly. I have been making a conscious effort to smile at people, especially those around my neighborhood, and it's amazing how many smiles I get in return!

Collect memories, not stuff. I have gotten rid of a lot of personal possessions since the beginning of the year after reading those words. I don't want my daughter to remember all the toys she had, but the time we had together and the things we did. I'm sure I've learned more in the last few years but I won't scare you off with an exhaustive list!

Do you take time to reflect around your birthday? 
What are some things you've learned in the last few years?
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be sure to hop over to chantel's blog today and wish her a happy birthday! if you are interested in being part of the advertising team, click here and use the code MAYFLOWER for 25% off all advertising options.
meg pitts said...

Happy Birthday Chantel! love the thought on memories! This is why I take so. many. photos!

Betsy Gettis said...

Happy birthday! This is a great list of things…I love "be inviting" and "be the first to smile". I work at a church, and those are two things that I constantly have to remember to put into practice on Sundays when our building is full of people!

Amy Hodgdon said...

Happy Birthday Chantel!
So glad you two awesome bloggers teamed up today!
Chantel, I LOVED everything you learned this year...really great challenges for me, an introverted lady. I can really relate.
Also- I LOVED seeing this photo of your beautiful family!

Amy said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHANTEL!!
Such an encouraging list - and what wonderful (and challenging) lessons to learn!
especially the praying & smiles & memories!

Jenna Secrist said...

happppppy birthday chantel!

i love all of your responses. i've really noticed a difference in how people just ARE when i smile at them first. somtimes people are surprised and curious as to why i'm smiling, but most of the time they smile back.
beautiful family photo!

Megan McIlvaine said...

i loved that one too! i also just think of buddy the elf, "smiling's my favorite." :)

Megan McIlvaine said...

like all of them. i just thought, um yes, i need to do all of these more. haha

Megan McIlvaine said...

doesn't she have a beautiful family??

Megan McIlvaine said...

i always have to remember to watch my facial expressions and remember to smile more. it's not that i'm not happy...sometimes i'm just thinking about something and people think i'm upset. haha. so i need to smile more :)

Megan McIlvaine said...

word. people laugh at me sometimes because i take so many pictures, but i love capturing the moments!

Megan McIlvaine said...

yes, i love that!

Chantel Klassen said...

Thanks Jenna! You are so right, sometimes it seems to catch people off guard, in a good way I think. :)

Chantel Klassen said...

Thank you so much Amy!

Chantel Klassen said...

Thanks Amy! It's nice to hear that you can relate! :)

Chantel Klassen said...

Thanks Betsy! Ooh, I totally get this, I remember shortly after graduation someone who had recently become my friend said they always thought I was a snob (because I guess that's how my expressionless face looks) so I always try to smile whenever I think about it. :)

Chantel Klassen said...

Thanks Meg! I get that, I take a lot of photos too :)

Chantel Klassen said...

Thanks Madison! I hear you, I'm still in the transition myself but slowly making progress I think!

Madison said...

Happiest of birthdays, Chantel! I love the idea of collecting memories instead of stuff, I have started making a transition in that direction, but I definitely can still do better!