A Grateful Heart

Wow. Life has been changing full-speed. As these changes happen, I find myself caught up in my own personal concerns and stresses 24/7- settling into my new home, making friends in a new city, even finding a routine with my awkward working hours... Many days, I am all I think about. I complain about the parts of my life I don't like, I congratulate myself when I succeed- every decision revolves around Danae.

This week, i came across what seems to be a foreign concept in my self-absorbed world. This concept is gratitude. Needless to say, I realized immediately this was something lacking from my daily reflections. What daily reflections? In fact, lately, all I've done is complain, I don't even sit back and think about anything! Molly, a mother, writer, blogger who I have kept up with lately has recently done an guest blogger interview where she talked a lot about self reflection and gratitude. This particular answer stuck with me.

How do you see gratitude or mindfulness? Is this a daily practice? I think both gratitude and mindfulness cause me to slow down. And often to re-evaluate. When they are absent from my life it feels like time is slipping away. I feel wanty. And long for things that I think everyone else has. I feel sorry for myself. But when my heart and mind are rooted in gratitude, my perspective, my peace and my attitude changes. And I'm suddenly struck by all the goodness that I have.

I could fully relate to the wanty-ness that one feels when gratitude and mindfullness are absent. I would place myself in this category many days. Molly talked about how she aims to instill a grateful attitude in her children by having them write/draw in a "Gratitude journal" daily. I thought, "what a simple but endlessly valuable practice." Today I have started my own gratitude journal in an effort to bring more reflection and thankfullness into my life. I do more than my share of complaining, but there are so many things to be appreciated in my life.

Here is just a glimpse:
-my Dad: He had a conference in my city this week, so he stayed in my living room for 2 nights. Having company to visit with was so wonderful... and he also helped me with a few fix-it type jobs. Dad's are so special and I think mine just takes the cake. He improved my mood just by being here, and helped me to realize how blessed I am to have such a wonderful, caring, loving family. They take care of me.
-my coworkers: not only have we been working out together after work, but last night, someone brought in their guitar and post-workout, we just chilled in the stretching area, having a little sing-along. It was impossibly fun, and I hope I will have (and take) the opportunity to spend more time with these people outside of work.
-SUNSHINE: I have huge windows here, and my 2 plants are absolutely thriving! Even in these rainiest of days!

Psalm 100

A psalm. For giving thanks.

¹ Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.

² Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.

³ Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

⁴ Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.

⁵ For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.