Gratitude365

A couple of instances yesterday reminded me of the importance of connection. The first happened as a result of volunteering; about 15 of us got together for a few hours of yard work here at the resort. I was grateful for a sunny, cool day to weed and rake and collect and anything else that needed to be done, especially since it was cold and windy the day before. It was fun working alongside people I don’t see enough of (because they don’t live here) but enjoy very much.

The second was a nice, long telephone visit with a friend from Minnesota whom I hadn’t spoken with for a while. Out of the blue, I was compelled to call her, and I was grateful that she answered after many rings and just as I was about ready to leave a voice message. Talking with her is easy and before I knew it, an hour had gone by. I’m grateful when I take action when the Spirit moves me…oftentimes I’m uplifted. I’m grateful for unexpected blessings of communion with others. ☺️

…from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. ~Ephesians 4:16

The challenge to write about gratitude every day has morphed from generalities to journaling, and that’s great since I haven’t been keeping up my other blog. I’m really grateful for this daily habit; learning to be grateful in all situations has not only made me pay better attention, but has helped me stay in the ‘now,’ something that’s always been difficult for me.

Yesterday I took advantage of a little bit of time before starting a task I was determined to work on right after lunch—removing all the rust that had accumulated on the RV in the short amount of time we spent on the coast this winter. Everything was pointing towards being able to kayak for a little while: daily gratitude was written, the temperature was not too cold, and the wind wasn’t a factor like it had been for a couple of days previously. I’m grateful I snagged the opportunity; our current ‘freeze watch’ is ushering in a cold front that’s going to last several days.

Taking an hour for myself made all the difference in my attitude and influenced it for the better for the rest of the day, even though the rest of the day entailed ‘work.’ I was grateful to be able to be out on the water within minutes, fortunate enough to see Crisco, and enliven my body/mind/spirit. By the time I sat down with my Dremel, I was not only ready for the original task, but the rest that followed. Truth be told, I got so immersed in cleaning up the rust spots on the rig, I got out some other accessories that had also accumulated rust and did those! One thing led to another and by the end of the afternoon, I felt a deep sense of satisfaction. When I am aware of God working through me, so much gets accomplished!

When you have eaten and are satisfied, you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land which He has given you. ~Deuteronomy 8:10

I have so much to be grateful for! Yesterday I had a play date with three other ladies from this resort ranging in age from early 60’s to mid-80’s, and it was so much fun! I learned how to play a new game, Rummy Cubes, which I ended up liking a lot, mostly because I’d played the card game rummy with my family for years so this one was easy to pick up. Even so, it was still challenging, and required a fair amount of thought and creativity, which I also liked. The four of us laughed so much—mostly at ourselves—and it felt so good to have so much fun.

It’s odd living at a “resort.” Many, if not most, of the lot owners here own VERY pricey motorhomes and 5th wheels in addition to a home somewhere else, and I must admit, I sometimes feel out of place, having a rig that’s actually considered an antique. Sometimes I just don’t feel like I’m in the same league as everyone else. Funny how feelings of inadequacy can haunt us our whole lives. So I’m grateful for the reminder that that’s something to work on.

That makes me all the more grateful for the play date. I’m grateful for the reminder that you just can’t judge a book by its cover. I’m grateful for my new friends.

Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way. ~Romans 14:13

Yesterday I learned that someone I’d been praying for has taken bold strides in her recovery. This is an answer to my prayer.

I’m just beginning to learn how to really pray even though I learned many growing up. I think mechanical recitation is meaningless though, so now I just ‘talk’ to God. Temporal relationships are strengthened by communication, and so is my relationship with Him. I gain confidence by remembering things like, “Trying to pray is praying,” and “If the only prayer you ever said was, ‘Thank you,’ that would be enough.” I believe God knows my heart as I stumble along, trying to think of the right words. I’m grateful God meets me where I am.

I thanked Him as soon as I learned that my prayer had been answered. It’s not complete recovery, of course, but it is a step forward, and that satisfies me. I’m grateful to see the power of God at work, especially when it’s through loved ones. I’m grateful when I’m aware of how blessed I am.

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. ~James 5:16

I’m grateful for surprises that have come my way in the past 24 hours that have delighted me:

…being contacted by, and having long conversations with, two friends I hadn’t spoken with in a very long time;

…being tracked down by my husband in the Women’s Center at the local hospital so that he could bring me my cell phone which I’d forgotten in the car when he dropped me off.

…and finally getting visitors at my hummingbird feeder!

All of these things—trivial as they may seem—lifted my spirits, so much so that I could feel it. I’m grateful to be more aware of that sensation because it feels good! Blessings flow where my focus goes. I am becoming more attentive, and I am grateful.

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. ~Luke 6:38

I’m grateful for where I happen to be at this moment in time. One of the things I like about living here at the lake is that it’s so easy to go kayaking, something I really enjoy doing. It’s just a matter of loading it into the golf cart and driving a short distance to the boat launch, and I’m on the water in no time.

Ever since spotting Crisco, the mountain goat, in the recesses of the bluffs across the way last year, I’ve made it a personal goal to track him down each time I go kayaking. He teaches a good lesson regarding expectations—I find myself always hoping to see him, and when I do, I’m elated, and when I don’t, I’m disappointed.

Crisco reminds me that my level of serenity is in inverse proportion to my expectations. When my expectations are high and unmet, I have no peace. Conversely, when I don’t have any expectations, I’m never disappointed.

Still, I love seeing him, so I remain hopefully optimistic. It’s a privilege to be among God’s creatures.

If it weren’t for actually writing about gratitude every day, I know I’d be guilty of taking most things for granted. I did it for years. I’m just grateful I stumbled upon the practice; it’s a spiritual tool that wields incredible power. Giving thanks for obvious blessings and even for things perceived as negative/bad/unfortunate is a practice that has opened my eyes and changed the way I look at the world in general and my world in particular…which in turn has made me more present and appreciative of what is right in front of me right now. And that is huge for me and my (untreated) ADHD. It truly is a gift!

Grateful thoughts come almost immediately these days upon awakening, usually starting with gratitude for a good night’s sleep and another chance to do God’s work. I’m grateful to wake up with a clear head (since I remember what it was like waking up in a fog) and with purpose. I’m grateful for a regimented morning that includes unbridled time in the Word. Given the times in which we live, this is the best thing I’ve ever done for my spiritual health.

I’m grateful to notice things usually missed in the blink of an eye. Something as seemingly ordinary as an early morning waning moon becomes the subject of a photograph because of how it sits in the sky against the lake. A minute later and the opportunity to capture it would have been lost, and it’s moments like this—when I just happen to notice something remarkable—that I’m grateful for. Beautiful moments aren’t rare anymore; they happen in abundance, when I remember to look.

And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. ~ John 1:16

I’m grateful whenever my kids send me videos and photos of their kids, and I get a special thrill when they’re taken at one of their sporting events. I’m grateful they’re involved in sports and that they love participating. Developing certain talents and strengths, working with others and learning healthy competition are just some of the things sports teach, and I’m grateful it’s a good part of their lives.

I’m grateful to see how enthusiasm is demonstrated in my family; I love how God shows Himself in each one’s uniqueness. My grandson imitates his buddy Colin and spins a couple of times before throwing the ball back. My granddaughter mows the grass a different way each time, and never in straight rows. My daughter, who brews beer for a living, sometimes throws glitter in the mix. Everyone leaves a unique footprint in the world.

Life is what we make it, and I’m grateful for my own enthusiasm for life. As the years go by, my zeal for gratitude for all things has made life, and living, more fun. The more thanks I give, the more I’m given in return. Enthusiasm lifts up my soul.

A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed. ~Proverbs 15:13

It’s finally warm enough to go kayaking, and I’m so grateful—both for the warmth and for the activity itself. I’m grateful for the willingness to exercise and the good health that gives me the ability to manage my kayak by myself. I’m grateful for independence.

In addition to the joy I get from paddling, my heart soars whenever I see Crisco, the mountain goat, staring at me from his perch in the craggy bluffs overlooking the lake. He’s seen me so much, I would like to think he recognizes me. See? He’s smiling!

I’m grateful for immersing myself in nature. It’s good for my soul.

These days especially, I’m grateful to have finally learned to mind my own business; it’s taken decades to reach this point. I’m grateful I’ve learned that people are going to do what they’re going to do, regardless of my opinion. In fact, unless someone specifically asks my opinion on something, I don’t offer one. It’s not always easy to hold my tongue, particularly with my family, but I’m working on it.

Staying in my own hula hoop is an analogy I discovered in recovery. It signifies my ability to manage and control only what’s inside my own hula hoop, and that’s more than enough for one person to handle. Anything outside of it is beyond my control.

I’m grateful to have the discernment to know what’s mine to do and what isn’t. I’m grateful to hand more things over to God. I’m grateful that this exercise in discipline is making me reliant more on a power greater than myself. I’m grateful for the peace I receive when stay in my own hula hoop. Gratitude is peace.

He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own
is like one who takes a dog by the ears. ~Proverbs 26:17