On Gratitude

Today is really hot.

I’m sitting under the apple tree thinking about gratitude.

Sometimes when I think of it during the day I take my August Mini Journal and write down a few things that I am grateful for in that moment.

I just look around and see my morning coffee, our little kitten exploring the garden, I hear birds chirping and fat bumble bees buzzing around blue cornflowers.

I remember my warm comfortable bed that I can sleep in every night, fresh clean drinking water coming out of our tap, clothes to put on , the sunshine that warms my skin, the rain that waters our garden and fills the rain tanks.

I think about each family member and friend and pet, I’m so grateful to have them all in my life.

When I take a few minutes to write down some things that I’m grateful for, I will go differently through the rest of the day. I am tuned in to the beautiful things happening around me all the time, and suddenly I see them everywhere.

Walking barefoot through soft grass.

Picking the first blackberries.

Feeling a light breeze while sitting under our apple tree writing these lines.

Sometimes it takes a mindset shift to open our eyes to the good stuff, and keeping a gratitude journal can help a lot.

Occasionally, when I feel angry or frustrated or sad, trying to feel grateful is the last thing I want to do. And that’s ok too. I don’t have to feel positive and grateful all the time.

But quite often I want to feel better again.

Reading through older journal entries might help remind me of happier thoughts and shift my outlook on life again.

If I want to find them, there are always things to be grateful for. But it’s so easy to miss them or take them for granted.

What are you grateful for today?