'We often
take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.' -
Cynthia Ozick
'Don't take
anything for granted - not one smile, or one person, or one rainbow, or one
breath, or one night in your cozy bed.'
- Terri Guillemets
I started juicing every morning (well, most mornings). I took my first sip of juice yesterday and
then out of habit reached to turn on the TV, but something stopped me.
My usual way of saying grace before a meal (if I even take
the time to say it) is reciting the one handed down to me, well intended but
not deeply felt.
This time it was different, the words came from my heart,
not my head. I was truly grateful.
I felt like I was saying grace for the first time. I didn't just say thank you. I felt appreciation for all who made it
possible for me to enjoy my juice. I
started with the 'Big Guy' and continued with the sun, the plants, the soil,
the farmer, the truck driver... the list kept going.
Funny thing is... gratitude spilled into the rest of the day.
I couldn't help but be grateful for all
the people and things that touch my life.
I realized the concert of people and events that unfold to bring me something
as simple as my juice, tap water or even my sink. How can I stand in my kitchen and not be
grateful?
Then it dawned on me how often I am not grateful. Oh my...
I want to make a habit of being grateful and feeling appreciation
for all I have. I want to walk through
my life with gratefulness in my heart.
I know without a doubt there will always be something to be
grateful for...I just have to be willing to take time to recognize it.
Today I am joining Michelle GD's gratitude week. Thank you Michelle for reminding me to slow down and see there is so much to be grateful for.
I am so grateful you stopped by!
What are you grateful for today?
Michelle
michelle, gorgeous image...the tones are lovely.
ReplyDeleteand your words...just beautiful. i kept nodding my head and thinking yesyesyes.
{so glad to have you joining this week}
so much nicer to start the day with thoughtfulness rather than the empty chatter of the tv.
ReplyDeleteand the over-flow of gratitude throughout the day sets such a lovely tone!
i found you through michelle gd's blog
visit me at bitsofsunshine.typepad.com if you wish!
Your blog is beautiful, I look forward to reading more. This post is so lovely as is your photograph. I am glad to have found you via Michelle GD xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post, with a wise philosophy. Smile and the world smiles with you ... . All the best for the rest of the week, Bonny
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and heartfelt words on gratitude. I love when I listen to that still voice chaning my direction and my entire day seems to go better.
ReplyDeleteI am grateful that I took the time to read your post. Nim going to see if the world looks different to me tomorrow morning because of it.😊
ReplyDeleteThis was wonderful Michelle. It is so easy to get caught up in the busy pace of life, that we forget to take the time to notice all the good around us.
ReplyDeleteSo beautifully written expressing you gratefulness, and what a lovely experience to say from your heart and not from a canned prayer. Wishing you a lovely week...this made a great start to my morning!
ReplyDeleteHi Michelle, it's been a beautiful purposeful week hasn't it?! Such beauty in your words
ReplyDeleteSuch a great gratitude post, Michelle, something to really think about !
ReplyDeleteYou're definitely right, there are so many things to be grateful for ...
Love your picture ... stunning capture !
Have a nice weekend,
Sylvia
Your words resonate in my mind and in my heart, Michelle, how could we not be grateful? Every single day there is something to be grateful for and what’s amazing, it is beautiful to feel the appreciation…
ReplyDeleteSuch a beauty of a simple subject done perfectly on the Top/Down. I have lost track of you for a long time, want to correct that because I have always admired your photography. Thank you for stopping by my blog recently Michelle. Beautiful words and I am spending the next few weeks before 2016 doing just that, thinking how I want my blog to go. I have seriously thought about Gratitude as a theme for it. I think that would be a perfect way to start 2016. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. :)
ReplyDeleteYour words ~ autenticitet and flow ~ like hearing you talk just right beside me ... Yes, there is so much to be grateful for ~ May our focus be on all the small and big ~ we're given ... To be mindful and grateful ~ appreciate and cherish each day.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Michelle!
Such a lovely post of gratitude, Michelle. And I love the second quote so much that I'm going to write it down. How nice that you stopped to appreciate the sun, the plants, the soil, and even the farmer and the truck driver.
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving, my friend. I'm thankful I met you in blogland. You are a special one, indeed.
~Sheri