Have you ever stood in the shade and felt the wind. The kind of wind that at first it’s so subtle you hardly feel a thing, maybe the hair on your arm shifts, settles. It might get stronger, so that you can feel it against your cheek. You close your eyes. And when the wind blows harder, and the leaves on the trees above you start to shimmer. And branches sway. Your shirt tail shifts. That’s when you can be sure.
Sometimes life throws lessons at me. And I don’t alway see what I’m supposed to. Lessons are often hidden below the surface; they all start so small, like that breeze. And then it grows enough, and I can turn my face to it. Smile into it. And today I see it. And I’m shouting it loud because I see this lesson clearly. The leaves are dancing.
The gratitude is here.
I see now that gratitude is better at camouflage than any chameleon. It tucks its chin, digs deep, gets lost in the busy. And when it’s gone, it’s hard to find again. Like all good things, you have to work toward it, open your eyes to it. Make your heart and brain want to be in it.
I’ve been looking for little things that matter this month. Searching for the small moments and things that bring joy, makes me slow down my pace, stop even. I’m opening my eyes wide, searching deeper. And what I’ve discovered is that I have a mountain of things I should be so grateful for, things that I take for granted
I’m noticing my routines that I cherish, my coffee, the way Julia winks at me over her dinner fork. I noticed the night noises on my front porch, the soft nudges from my dog for pets or my cat’s fur circling my legs. I’m relishing in clean sheets, thick socks, orange Jell-o, and the perfect water bottle. I am grateful for the happiest moments, when my husband reads to my kids, Friday’s with my son, amazing teachers, and good friends. For inspiration, creativity, perfect timing, and plans for the future.
I am grateful. So grateful.
And so I’m turning my face into the breeze, grateful to see all the beauty in my life. All over again.
I agree. You gotta pay attention and look for those moments. Last week I was talking to a mom of a four-month-old baby. I had been telling her that being home with my little one was fun and she asked “When does it get fun?” I paused for a moment, thinking, unsure what to say. Then I told her almost exactly what you said here. Pay attention to the little things, focus on something small. A smile, a giggle, a toe wiggle. All these things are amazing and should be appreciated. And doing so makes motherhood easier.
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