The past couple of weeks seemed long. Sick kids, sick me, too many doctor’s visits and not enough play time. It’s funny how suddenly when things are going not according to the plan, my eyes open to so much I take for granted each day. When a little boy has no appetite, I’m reminded to be grateful for when he does. When I can’t sleep at night, I’m reminded to be appreciative of all the moments of slumber I do get. When we make 7 trips to the doctor and 7 copays and a lot of prescriptions, I am reminded to be grateful for having the means to go to the doctor too many times in two weeks.
Yesterday, for the first time in weeks, my son seemed totally better. He went to school, he spent the afternoon playing outside in the yard with me. Tiny fingers dragged dump trucks of sand around, dug deep into the ground and got filthy. Even when he came for a hug and smeared those dirty digits on my white pants, I was just grateful for a sunny day playing outside with a happy and healthy boy.
I have my moments of not being so appreciative. Not embracing all the chaos and stuff that makes these imperfect days so wonderful. My focus goes elsewhere. Sometimes I spend too much time driving around and doing errands and feeling the pressure of too much to do. I do that to myself. I choose what has to be done and sometimes my priorities get shifted into the wrong order. When those times happen, I spend more money than I should, I have less energy than I need, and I have fewer moments doing the important things with the people I love.
A simple moment of a smiling little boy smearing dirt brings me back. Reminds me of what is important. Being grateful for what I have rather than what I think I need that is still out there somewhere, eluding me, is the key to living simply. Appreciating what is today, not wanting what isn’t. Being content in this time, this place, with what I have and who I am. Far easier to write than to do. A worthy goal nonetheless.
What are you grateful for today?
Adding this to beautiful life friday at Melissa’s. Check out what’s inspiring others this week.
* I’m thankful for the love, loyalty and friendship of my husband.
* I’m thankful to those people who are already subscribing to my blog and following me on Twitter though I’ve only just begun.
* I’m thankful I’m getting a new refrigerator today.
* I’m thankful I discovered Shannon Hayes book “Radical Homemakers”.
* I’m thankful my camera is still working.
Jenna
http://jennascottage.blogspot.com/
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my daughter’s return to good health, my son’s job and a husband who works so hard to provide for his family at great personal sacrifice. I am grateful to be loved and to love with all I have.
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I’m grateful for the sound of birds chirping outside my window, as well as the soft breeze that’s filtering through. So peaceful.
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I’m grateful for my husband and healthy children! Holy cow… we went to the BEST marriage conference at my church on Sunday. It’s amazing how things can change overnight when you have a good outlook on things and God is on your side. I love this post because I feel more grateful now than I have in a LOOOONG time. You’re right, it’s hard to think about being grateful in the mist of chaos. Glad you boy is feeling better:-)
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Today I am so grateful for warmer weather which means more time outside for the girls.
Glad the little one is doing better!
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Just last week on the radio I heard this:
“Want to be happier?” — Start with being grateful. Makes complete sense.
Like you, I find myself off track sometimes as we all do. But fortunately the little things can bring us right back to where we need to be.
Today I’m grateful for new countertops, sink & faucet that we had installed yesterday in our kitchen. A home improvement project that was long past due. And I’m grateful for having the means to pay cash for the project up front. And a job, and my husband, my daughters, etc….my list is long when I stop to think about it.
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I am grateful for some advice I got some time ago, and follow faithfully. “Every morning, make up your to-do list of everything that HAS to get done, and only what absolutely has to get done. Then cross off half of them.” I always feel like I’ve done enough, even when I take it easy. And I get to take it easy a lot.
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I, like you, struggle with wanting to be content. Most of the time, I am content. I love my life, my home, my family, my friends. I am lucky to have all these wonderful things & people in my life. Cheers!
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