One particularly bleak winter's night, my daughter suspected I wasn't feeling very well when my texted responses to her questions were short, terse answers. She called me, and wanted to know what was wrong.
It had been a taxing day emotionally, but nothing too earth-shattering. I was just feeling blue.
"Tell me three things that are absolutely perfect about this moment in time. What are you grateful for right now?"
My little girl had been taking notes. We both approach setbacks much the same way, seeking the silver linings in our dark clouds. I'd gotten bogged down in my troubled thoughts, and hadn't tried to work my way out of them.
I let out a long, slow breath. "Well, the shirt I'm wearing is really, really soft. I love the texture."
"Good. That's one. What else?"
"Even though the house is cold, my electric blanket is keeping me toasty warm. It feels so good to be under the covers."
"That's great, Ma. One more..."
"Um..." My mind raced to think of one more thing for which to be grateful. Ah. "You cared enough to ask me that question. Thank you, Sisi."
And it's that simple. No matter how dark the day, how miserable the moment, there is always something for which to be grateful. It may be a physical sensation, a slightly good turn of events, the weather, or a blessing we've taken for granted, but if we take the time to dwell in each moment, we will be pleasantly surprised that there are good things to be found.
Think about it right now. What three things would you count as your blessings in this very moment? Living in the now is simply being aware of the simplest things: our feelings, our breath, and our gifts. The more we practice this, the easier it becomes.
Today I am grateful for the new friends who have come into my life with impeccable timing, the lace curtains tinged with a peachy pink as the sun is rising, and that my youngest is sleeping soundly in his room, here with me this week. Noticing with gratitude the blessings that are mine simply reminds me how truly blessed I am.
This is beautiful. Way to go! :)
ReplyDeletePriya
Thank you, Priya.
DeleteYes. Always good to be reminded of this and that it works. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThank YOU, Tonia, for your support, and your impeccable timing.
DeleteI love it. I am part of a FB group called Three Blessings. We try to end each day identifying 3 blessings. I've had a day or two when I struggled to think of something. Then I would look around and realize those simple blessings I so often take for granted. Great post.
ReplyDeleteI love the concept of your Three Blessings group. Great idea.
DeleteTimely message for our family as we are going through some deep struggles. Thanks for sharing. You got your message across succinctly (how's that for a word??). Excellent. Reblogged this on Musings: Prairie Girls Write.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE succinctly. ;-) Thank you, Heather. Best wishes...
DeleteOops tried to reblog but didn't work. Shared on fb instead
ReplyDeleteWell, THANKS!
DeleteLovely message Denise. I have been struggling with finding gratitude in my life lately - just what I needed to hear this morning!
ReplyDeleteDawn, thank you for your support.
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