Gratitude

The cars are pulling through the drop off circle and each one drops off their precious cargo; some have more packages than others. Moms and dads walk through the gate back into the world leaving behind the sacred pieces of themselves. Each morning in a rush and sometimes panic we race to get where we need to be. Whether that is school or work or both. As I watched around me this morning, watching the same people ebb and flow through my life I wondered what they all think as they bustle briskly to and fro. How many of them are living a Wholehearted life?

I have just finished Carry on Warrior and The Gifts of Imperfection, plus I finally took the know yourself better quiz from an O Magazine that I have had for over a year. Those three things together put together with the everyday hustle and bustle got me thinking – how do I make this every day life more Wholehearted. The two main things that stood out to me were that I need to make more time for what is meaningful to me and I need to make sure that I am consciously recording what I am grateful for.

My meaningful list:

  • “The holy work of raising human beings” Glennon Melton
  • Helping others
  • Being kind
  • Being authentic
  • Learning new things
  • Listening more than talking
  • Being personal
  • Writing = joy

Reported exactly how it fell out of my head. So this is my new focus – make these things matter first before all else and I am on a path to a fuller life. Each will most likely be examined more completely on this journey of a blog.

Part two is to put my gratitude into writing and to take time each day to record what I am thankful for. Below would be what I am thankful for today.

  • I am thankful that my oldest son is who he is – his personality makes what he is dealing with a little easier because he is so sweet and likable that his tics don’t have a chance at overpowering that wonderful personality.
  • That I ran into Tracy today at school. She is such a pleasant person and it was nice catching up with her.
  • The luxury of non-fat vanilla chai lattes
  • That my husband helps change diapers and makes dinner while I take our daughter to dance.
  • I got to read 3 books with the boys today and had more than 20 minutes of calm, quiet time with them.
  • Even though I about lost my mind – I was able to resolve my printer issues in a way that got the job done.
  • I did not have to do a load of laundry today and everyone still had clean underwear.
  • I had enough will power not to eat the bag of chips I bought at the grocery store tonight.
  • That there was a whole two hours without whining
  • For my mom’s phone call today – I am so blessed to have my mom in my life and have such a wonderful relationship with her.
  • For my dad’s email today letting me know that things went well for him at his big meeting.
  • I got in my run this morning
  • Hope
  • That my sweet daughter sat right next to me while she ate her dessert tonight.
  • That I have the ability to write this blog and the sweet people who read it in my life.
  • For the opportunity to try again tomorrow

So I know the hustle and bustle is only 8 hours away, but I know that I can pack more meaning into my days and stop every now and then to take it all in. I know that some people think this whole “enjoy every moment” thing is a bit much, but I think there is a delicate balance between enjoying it all and taking it all for granted. Finding that balance is the sweet spot; that is Wholeheartedness.

See you tomorrow,

me

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