Lessons in Gratitude Day 562

Today is a good day for simple gratitude. Sometimes I like to focus on the small things that happen over the course of the day that bring simple pleasures. So here are just a few:

• It snowed yesterday–big, beautiful flakes drifting down. I watched them floating past the windows in the living room and remembered what I missed about winter during the seven years I lived in California. And tonight, one of the other things I loved about the winter: a full moon shining down over the snowy landscape. While it isn’t quite as beautiful as it was in my backyard in Michigan, I appreciate it nevertheless. The next thing I’m anxiously awaiting is for the birds to discover my feeder. Perhaps the squirrels haven’t shared the news with them yet.
• I am grateful today for at timely phone call that interrupted a bit of a moment I was having with myself. I have discovered that I’m stuck in a pattern that I need to interrupt on weekends, and though I am aware of it, I nonetheless still fall into it without paying much attention. Early this afternoon I was getting into a bit of a funk that could escalated into a full-blown pity party if the phone hadn’t rung. I ended up having a relatively brief but pleasant conversation with a friend that broke the momentum of the drama I had entered into and I was able afterward to get on with my day in a better frame of mind than I had been in. It was just the shift I needed to change the trajectory of the day.
• I have run across a number of good poems lately–some with which I am familiar and others were new to me. As a former poet and lyricist, I appreciate the power of words to provide expression, give voice to what’s happening in the heart and mind. I am grateful for the inspiration and uplift provided by a good poem. I would love to spend more time reading poetry, reading in general. I have a long list of things I would do if I had more time. I really must find my way to doing some of them.
• This evening I spent some time catching up on several episodes of a favorite show I’d recorded but hadn’t made time to watch. Today as I was somewhat at a loss as to what to do with myself decided to immerse myself into the lives and drama of the various characters, losing myself in the surroundings, and enjoying the relatively simple stories of people going about their lives. It was a nice diversion, and while I have left some work that I needed to be doing until tomorrow, at least I’ve caught up on all my shows today. I was grateful for the distraction.

Today was a bit of a struggle, I admit it. It wasn’t a terrible, horrible, no good, really bad day, but it also wasn’t particularly easy. So I am always glad when at the end of it I can search for and find things for which I am grateful. It helps me continue to exercise the muscle of self encouragement. Tonight I will close with a favorite poem that I’ve included in this blog in the past. I am grateful for the inspiration it has given me, particularly when I’ve struggled. I offer it tonight, with gratitude.