Making or Breaking the Rules

Well, I didn't blog yesterday.  I was feeling like I'd broken some rule, the "blog each day without fail" rule.  I did try.  But when I thought about my day, I realized I hadn't said "thank you."  So, I'd actually broken another rule, the "be thankful each day" rule.

Just four days in to a Year of Gratitude, I had already fallen behind.  So.  Wow.  That didn't take long.

I gave this some thought.  I closed my laptop last night, having nothing to write, and crawled in to bed. Why didn't I say thank you?  I ran through my day in my head.  [This is where I deleted the boring list of mundane tasks that filled my day.]  A pattern emerged.  I had spent the day doing normal mom stuff.  Busy as I was I heard "thank you" many times.  Thank you for the tea, mom.  Thank you for the sandwich, mom. Thank you for taking me to the party, mom.  Yes, they do say thank you.

So I cut myself a little slack; I stopped beating myself up for not giving thanks; I snuggled in to the blankets, and before I dozed off I said to my husband,  "Thank you for coming with me to pick up Lindsey tonight."  There it was.

What are the rules, then?  Am I required to blog each day?  Should I blog twice to catch up?  Do I have to tell people each day that I appreciate them?  Or is the challenge to thank God for daily blessings?  What are the rules?  

My blog.  My rules.  Blog daily if possible.  Thank someone each day.  Thank God always.  Forgive myself when I break the rules.  Thank you, God, for loving me even when I break the rules.