When was the last time you woke up in a bad mood? It seems like the rule more than the exception for me lately and I hate it. Why? I've asked myself this question over and over. And then it hit me. Hello. Choose to be happy. There was nothing to make me unhappy, it was a subconscious choice. My state of mind was looking down instead of up. It's so easy to get to that place without even realizing it. It takes a conscious effort to pull yourself out.
This situation lends itself to a little soul searching. Here's what I discovered: where had my gratitude gone? When I was struggling on the inside I couldn't see outside myself. It's the perfect recipe for despair, negativity and pessimism, not to mention a sad little family. "When Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy," right? It's time to clean house . . . or my soul. I've chewed on these ideas for several days to keep me motivated:
"Hold fast to the blessings which God has provided for you. Yours is not the task to gain them, they are here; yours is the part of cherishing them." J Reuben Clark
". . . gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder." G.K. Chesterton
So, God has opened my eyes to wonder again. And God has helped me cherish again. The little things. And so, here's my little spur-of-the-moment list of wonder, of gratitude:
The smell inside a book
A fresh peach
Waking up to a prophet's voice on the radio... an FM station even (only in Idaho . . . or Utah)
Digging up carrots and potatoes from seeds WE planted
Liquid fabric softener (Downy, I love you)
Prayer
Big brothers who act the part
Annie's daily request for a piano lesson
Ben honking at 6:15am as he leaves for work
Brigham asking if he can read to me (this is a LONG time coming for us, no more tears, no more struggle)
Fresh sheets
Music that gives me goosebumps
Humble, gracious people
Capturing the perfect moment with your camera
Waking up with the sun instead of before it
Friends you can guffaw with--loud, hearty laughter feels so good sometimes
Real friends
The smell of burning in the air...it's a Fall smell, do you know what I mean?
When Truth hits you
Overcoming
Scriptures
Sincerity
GMC Acadias, they make my eyes feel good when I see one
Walking in the grass barefoot in the summer at 8:30-9ish pm
and . . .
Couldn't you just go on and on if you had the time? Things just keep coming if given the chance. God is good. Of that I am sure. My small, little, often-challenged life is full and bursting with goodness (just don't ask me to make any lists on a really bad day, okay). And so is yours. I promise.
4 comments:
I know you meant to say "the people who drive Acadias"- jk. I hope the other Acadia drivers can make up for my disappearance. I too had a moment yesterday where I sat and thought about my many blessings and how grateful I am- does the soul good!
great reminder Lanette.
On my gratitude list today would be excellent and hilarious conversations with true friends.
(also for the tv. for babysitting the hooligans and thus making those conversations audible. :)
Great post! I am having a hard time feeling grateful for anything these days. I am so stinkin sick with this pregnancy that I have fallin into a negative pit. I'm not ready to climb my way out yet but your post has given me a lot to start thinking about again. I hope I am on the other side of this soon!! :) Love ya.
Love it. Thanks!
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