Day Two of The Gratitude Challenge should be interesting. The "challenge" is to use the alphabet to come up with things I'm grateful for. Hmmmm....this may prove more of a brain bruiser than I first thought. I'm really going to try to come up with some solid things here! I've gone through items I'm obviously thankful for and so many start with the same letter! How'd that happen?!
I've never been accused of being the deepest person in the world, so my answers will be simple I'm sure. Kind of like me. Easy to read.
Regardless...I am grateful for...
A - The wonderfully fresh air we had today that allowed me to open the windows and let the swine flu germs out of the house!
B - This is easy...Ben! My sweet, honest, loving, sensitive and literal son.
C - The sound a cricket makes. Reminds me of when I was little and we slept with the windows open.
D - My husband, Doug. I gave him my heart long ago and that's where I intend for it to stay.
E - My ears. Yes, my ears. I am so thankful I can hear all the lovely noises going on around me.
F - Forgiveness. It's the most releasing and loving thing you can give or get.
G - Laugh, but guacamole is something that is high on my list of happy things!
H - Hands-down this has to be hugs. A real and true hug is unbeatable and makes my heart smile.
I - The way the Christmas lights illuminate the neighborhood streets in December (and even November, in some cases).
J - Joy and pain. It's like sunshine and rain. Yes...from a song, but true nonetheless.
K - The kindess in the world. It just doesn't make the headlines as much as the...well...'unkindness' does.
L - The emotion of love. It beats logic every time.
M - That God blessed me to be a mother.
N - The night-time sky. It's a beautiful wonder to get lost in, think about life and dream.
O - I was there to witness my kids first time to see the ocean.
P - Promises. From the beginning of time; He made them to us and we make them to each other.
Q - The great questions my kids ask. Latest hum-dinger: Does your tongue keep growing, momma?
R - Rain. The sound of it. The smell of it. How without it, we wouldn't be here. It's essential.
S - Another no-brainer...Shelby. My inquisitive, stubborn, beautiful and oh-so fashion-minded daughter.
T - That there is still time to be the person I want to be.
U - U-turns. In the street. In life. Thank goodness they are available.
V - That I'm trying to be more vulnerable and less of a control freak. I can honestly say I'm making progress.
W - Words, words, words. Wish I knew more of them, but am blown away at how others use them.
X - The xceptional (I know, kinda cheating) way God answers prayers.
Z - The fact I don't require as many zzzzzz's when my kids are sick as I usually do.
So that's it. It took a lot longer than I thought it would. Not at all because I don't have a lot to be grateful for. I have tons. I'm just trying to be more aware of all of it and really think about life going on around me. I'm sure some people look at this challenge as pointless as they are already grateful. It's not that I haven't been grateful, I just haven't made it a priority to focus on it in my daily life in such an intentional manner. It's all about growing and becoming a person I'm proud of. Who my family is proud of.
I'm by no means perfect...and never will be. I'm not closed-minded to the thought of this waking up that part of my brain that says, "I've so enjoyed the time I've spent with my daughter these past few days," that she's been sick with the swine flu. See...I insisted on looking at the silver lining. I'm all about expecting the unexpected. But just like my friend fate...you have to allow it to happen.
Here's to always insisting on the silver lining.
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