Everything

The challenge of this practice, for me, is not finding 5 things a day to be grateful for. It is focusing on only 5 things, because I am overflowing with gratitude about nearly everything in my life. (I'm honest ... see? "nearly everything" ... realistic, too!)

So, in random order, and with awareness that too many things are not on the list, today I am grateful for ...

- mild winter weather that has melted most of the snow, allows me to wear a jacket instead of a coat, and lets me believe winter will not last forever



- lengthening days -- I wonder what it would be like to live near the equator, where the dramatic shifts do not occur, season to season; sometimes, I think I could go for that; sometimes, I think I am more grateful for abundance when I have had the contrast of scarcity, as well

- companionship and love -- I am so grateful for John in my life, I cannot adequately express it in words

Oh, where can I go from there? Best to leave off basking in the glow of that last one. Aaahhhhh.

Grateful for Abundance

It was exactly midnight when I realized that, although I'd had my camera in my hand several times today, I'd never snapped a picture. sigh. I consider the ones taken minutes after midnight to qualify for my own personal "photo a day for a year" project. If they don't ... I'd have already failed, and I can't give up that quickly!

Abundance is the theme of my gratitude journal entry today ....

Working backwards over the last several days, I'm grateful for

1) an abundance of boots ... they're all mine, and they're all right inside the door, where I shed them after various forays into the winter snow and cold:



2) an abundance of early-morning sunshine, beautifully bursting through the trees on our way to work:















3) the abundance of intergenerational fun that happened as a result of the Guitar Hero wii game being taken out of the box:









4) an abundance of fellowship and goodwill during dinner with our neighbors over the weekend:









5) and last, but not least, the abundance of snow that continues to fall ... which reminds me how grateful I am that winter doesn't last forever.

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Today, I am abundantly grateful for:

1. A warm, dry, pleasant home to live in.

2. Enough of everything I need and most of what I want in life.

3. A good-hearted, warm, loving, caring, wonderful husband.

4. Two fabulous daughters, a perfect son-in-law, two great stepsons and their families -- all of whom I love dearly.

5. A full heart and a body that works pretty darned well, all things considered.


And I'm aware these are not in order of priority, either.

Sunny Day

1. The 3.5" of snow that fell earlier in the week is almost totally gone, and the grass is so green!

2. The overly-blue fountain at UWM was already running today. The water is the color of a swimming pool, but it sounded so cheerful and was beautiful in the sun.

3. John and I went to lunch at Sala de Pranzo ... good minestrone, good pasta, good company.

4. I'm so relieved that Mack is better, and eating, and drinking ... I can't stop smiling.

5. Productive days at work!

6. Lots of good things in abundance in my life! Food, cuddly kitties, loving friends and family, wonderful spouse, comfort, and gratitude.