Gratitude

Gratitude.  Something that you hear about so much, and yet so few people actually practice.

Gratitude is "the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness"

Do you recognize this in your daily life?  Do you take the time to be thankful for everything that you are given?  Do you even realize all that you have to be thankful for?  Just because something bad happens, does not mean that the whole day...week...month...year....will be bad.  Just that moment was bad.  It wasn't what you wanted or hoped for, but there are plenty more things that you can be on the lookout for to turn your attitude.

If you look for things to be thankful for, you will find them surrounding you.  If you woke up today and started looking for blessings - a hot cup of tea, time to read, a smile and wave from a neighbor, being lucky enough to have your health, etc.  then you will continue to keep searching for blessings.  They aren't always going to reach out and grab your attention, but they are there if you look.

On the other hand, if you just know it's going to be a bad day, then you are right.  No matter what good comes your way, you will not recognize it.  You will only be on the hunt for the bad and noticing things that don't go your way.  It's not as warm as yesterday, the wind is blowing, your child is yelling, or your grass needs cut.  Someone else would give anything to have a child that is yelling, because they have been waiting for their own child for years.  They would love to have grass to cut, instead of living with their in-laws or in an apartment where they hear their neighbors.  

Please, just take this time and find SOMETHING to be grateful for.  Start small, and find it everywhere.  Then make sure you document it.  Wouldn't it be fun to look back a year from now and read about that funny joke your son told, or the giggles your daughter had for no reason, how watching the sunset with all of the beautiful colors or the way the clouds moved so fast in the sky but that there was no wind around you.

Today, I am grateful that we have a large enough porch that some of our family was able to visit and we were able to eat at an acceptable social distance.  I am grateful that my niece sent me pictures from our Florida trip 4 months ago, and asked when we could go again.  I am grateful that my husband played basketball and golf yesterday - two of his favorite activities, that he can't always enjoy because of his neck and back issues.  I am grateful that my mom can sew and has been able to supply masks for my family, her drivers, and multiple friends that have been in need.  I am grateful that the sun is shining, and I can take my book out on the back porch to just read and listen to the birds.

Let me know what you are grateful for.  I would love to hear your blessings.