Women Over Fifty—Your Three Little Blessings
As many of you may know, I’m on vacation. However, I haven’t shared where I am–I didn’t want to make anyone out there jealous, but here goes…
My husband and I spent this past week on the beautiful island of Kauai. Right now, as I type this, I can hear the waves lapping the shore in that wonderful, rhythmic song of the beach. And last night, as we strolled along the water, the nearly full moon shone down, glancing off the gentle waves in snippets of silver. In a word, Kauai truly is “paradise.”
But we are flying home tomorrow and I started thinking of all that we face when we return: news of the horrible economy, negative political ads, traffic, stress, work, piled up mail, a suitcase full of soiled clothes, and on and on. After a few minutes of pondering these far from positive thoughts, I began to feel my body tense. Then it hit me! What the heck was I doing? Here I am in one of the most beautiful places on earth getting myself upset by things that may or may not happen in the future. If ever there was a time to “live in the moment,” it is now.
This experience also reminded me of a post I wrote some time ago. It was about the habit of taking time each day to jot down three things for which you are grateful. It’s an easy little practice, costs no more than a piece of paper (or, perhaps, a small gratitude journal), and only takes a minute or two.
The things for which you are grateful don’t have to be big ticket items; they can be as simple as finding your favorite fresh vegetable at the farmers’ market, enjoying a hearty laugh with a dear friend, or just having a good hair day. The important part of the exercise is training yourself to focus on and look for everyday blessings.
The secret to a happy life is all about where we choose to place our focus. We can center our thoughts around the negative (as I was doing earlier) or we can choose to focus on the positive. When you think about it, which would you rather do?
I’ve been especially busy as of late and had somehow forgotten about this simple little exercise with the big rewards. But, as soon as I get back, I’m pulling out my journal and starting in again. Actually, now that I’m putting my ideas in the proper perspective, there are lots of great things about coming home after a wonderful and rejuvenating vacation. In fact, I’m beginning to look forward to it and I’m feeling grateful already!
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October 15th, 2008 at 6:55 am
Gratitude is the attitude, that’s for sure, Eileen. I used to list twenty things I was grateful for every day…and it was never a problem to come up with twenty. It’s the little things–warm house in the winter, money to buy a latte, and so on.
Then I started taking writing about at length about one of the items on my gratitude list…and it gave me a whole new attitude about the “why” of my gratitude.
Thanks for the reminder and inspiration. I haven’t been keeping up with my gratitude journal…maybe now I’ll get back to it. Enjoy Kauai…it is paradise, and our favorite spot.
October 13th, 2008 at 11:23 am
Yes, it is important to remember how blessed we are. My blessing note for today: 1. I have lost 21 pounds on my diet!
2. I have a full time, decent paying job. 3. I have an awesome husband, to whom I have been married 37 years!
How can I possibly stop at only three? Thanks for the reminder to look at the good things. When someone asks “How are you?” respond with “Grateful” – watch their responses. That’s Fiesty!
October 13th, 2008 at 8:30 am
I have a gratitude journal Eileen. I’m pulling it out again today. I saw it last night as I rummaged through my drawer looking for something else and realized I had been ignoring it.
It’s WAY too easy to focus on the negatives. Thanks for the reminder to do something different.
October 13th, 2008 at 4:39 am
Thanks for the timely reminder. With all the news of financial crises and contentious political races, focusing on what’s right with our lives is the best antidote. We do have control – over what we think and how we view the world and our lives.
Isn’t travel great for clearing the cobwebs? I always return revived, ready to take on my challenges. And, coming home to a house that holds love and memories is such a good feeling. Safe travels home to you.