Cultivating Joy & Gratitude
Amidst the everyday stressors and mundane tasks, life gets busy, and it is easy to lose track of how wondrous life really is. It is too simple to overlook seemingly minor joys like juicy orange smiles at breakfast, toddler giggles, or the cup of coffee my husband brewed for me. Sometimes we need reminders. It's like going to the eye doctor and getting an updated prescription. You walk out of the office rotating your head saying, wow, look how much I was missing. Not only can you see the big objects, but now also the tiniest details.
Unfortunately and far too often it takes a heartbreaking situation or near catastrophe to remind us to readjust our focus and appreciate what we have. But these events help us re-focus on the simple everyday blessings and gratitudes that are easy to overlook and often completely miss.
Recently, True fell through our glass french doors. I was standing right next to him and had pivoted away for literally one second. Crash. Glass everywhere. After getting the glass out of the cuts in his head and covering up the door in cardboard, I realized how much worse the situation could have been. Thankfully all his wounds were superficial cuts. Doors are replaceable, he is not. But moreover, I felt overwhelming relief and gladness, topped off with much gratitude. It is in these types of moments that force our focus toward gratitude — my boy is okay.
My daily goal is to find happiness in the small ordinary details and appreciating the adventure in the mundane. When I stop for a moment to count a few of my blessings, I realize that there is so much to be grateful for that it seems crazy that I need to remind myself to be grateful, but I do, and it is a lifelong challenge.
As a family, we frequently discuss what it means to be grateful and oftentimes go around our dinner table to share a few precious little gems that made us smile, brought us joy and peace that day. I challenge you to work on your own list and share it with your friends or family. Hearing other’s gratitudes helps expand our minds, because it is easy to take everyday life for granted, and we all need a reminder of the good things now and again.
“Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.”
Today I am grateful for:
A fridge full of fresh groceries
Valor and his brain constantly coming up with ideas
Warmer temperatures and the shining sun
Ability to watch True’s wonder and excitement as he explores daily life
Hugs
Nick — not only my husband but my best friend
The sound of birds and signs of spring
A travel mug that keeps coffee warm until 10:30 am when I actually get around to taking the first sip
Afternoon neighborhood walks
My current study of Genesis 12-50
If you’re having a difficult time coming up with your own list, the book 14,000 Things to be Happy About, is a great jumping-off point!