When I was growing up, the phrase ” count your blessings” was commonly said around my house. I was forever being told to be grateful and when I wasn’t – I should “offer it up” as a way of handling whatever life threw at me. I’ll tell you what- it wasn’t until I was much older that I finally understood what any of that meant.
I won’t paint you some sort of picture about how difficult my life was growing up. I was very fortunate and I did and still do have so much to be grateful for. Sure, there were some not so pleasant times as I am sure many people can relate to. Truly feeling grateful, I believe, takes practice. It cannot be forced as it truly needs to be felt. Over the past few years, I have started searching for the good in my life- no matter how big or small it may be. The secret to a gratitude practice isn’t about having everything you want and living a full life, It’s being able to find the small things that make your life full.
When I practice gratitude, it doesn’t always look the same day to day. Sometimes I write a big list and sometimes I note just a few. No matter how you choose to do it, finding the good in the day to day can be really helpful, especially in times when it feels the hardest.
Here’s a sneak peek at what I often jot down:
- I am grateful for my job (the one I work 9-5 outside of this blogger world). I get to work collaboratively with people who support me and I feel passionate about what I do. It is not always easy but I am thankful its mine.
- I am grateful for my health especially in the times we are in. Living a healthy lifestyle and being well enough to enjoy it is a privilege and I pray daily for it.
- I am grateful for my family and friends. Having people who love and support me is such a gift. I pray over them for health and happiness. I don’t know what I would do without them.
- I am grateful for my home. For the protection it gives me and for having a place where I feel safe.
- I am grateful for little things like: the perfect cup of coffee, beautifully polished nails, a good hair day, the right shade of lipstick, sunny mornings, rainy afternoons, that feeling when your outfit fits just right, a new pair of shoes, a good laugh, sleeping in, productive days when the the to-do list gets checked off, Sunday mornings at church… the list goes on.
* This is there the magic happens. Not everyday is going to be sunshine and rainbows or big incredible things. Finding little moments where you feel joy is what makes life worth living.
It’s so easy to get bogged down in the negative things that happen to us. When you move your thoughts towards the good, its amazing how your perspective can change. There are going to be hard seasons in life. There are inevitably going to be things that don’t go as planned and I know how heavy that can feel. I also know, that there is so much good even when its hard to see it. I encourage you to look for the good and do it as often as you can. You’ll be surprised how much good you will see when you look for it. I may not count my blessings but I sure to keep my eye on them- no matter how big or small.
Until next week,
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