Grateful For Life Becoming Simpler

I am learning to be grateful for what I have, and to actually see it. As we have decluttered and gone through so much of the stuff around our house, we have been seeing how much we don't really want to have. Getting tired of taking care of the 'I have this because I should have it,' and rediscovering the 'I have this because I want to have it.'

1. I am grateful for having 'The Four Agreements' in wonderful audio book format to listen to while making my juice!
2. I am grateful for having fresh greens in the fridge to make my green juice.
3. I am grateful for my bamboo cutting board that I use almost every day.
4. I am grateful for my small paring knife that fits my hand so well.
5. I am grateful for my little 4" silver fan that keeps me and my laptop cool.

Gratitude Simplified

Keeping up with new gratitude posts every day was becoming an overwhelming chore with everything else that needs to be done in the day. After this wonderfully long break, I have decided to simplify things a bit. I want to keep my gratitude journal going, but some days will simply be lists. Other days I will take the time to meander through memories and thoughts and share longer posts.
I hope you enjoy the fresh approach!

1. I am grateful for the post lady bringing the packages to the door, instead of leaving them at the mailbox at the end of the street.
2. I am grateful to receive my incense order, and can't wait to try the new fragrance! Of course it is hand rolled incense made in the masala method.. all natural here!
3. I am grateful for a fabulous night of sleep after getting to bed quite early. I am feeling fantastic today!
4. I am grateful for wonderful food to eat. Loads of fresh fruit and green juice!
5. I am grateful for my new Samsung Gravity T. I am having loads of fun finding out all the things it can do! I finally figured out how to get my mp3s on it without having to buy a data cord to do it! Yay me!

Memories

As we go through life, we realize at some point that it is the small things that mean the most to us. It is the time spent with other people that is special. It is the time we spent doing things that stays in our memories.

The things or stuff that we hold onto is all attached to some memory of a person, a place, or an event. These are usually strong memories that imprint themselves onto the object. The souvenir from the circus you had so much fun at, the seashells from your trip to the beach with friends, the stuffed animal you grandmother gave you.. these are all examples of how we connect memories to items.

As I sorted out some clean laundry this evening, I ran across the shawl my mother knitted for me. She gave it to me as a Christmas present this past year. It was a wonderful color of deep, gentle purple, and so soft. Every time I see it I want to just sit down and cuddle with it. I spend a few minutes lost in thought as I hold it to my cheek and gently rock with it, almost as if I am holding a baby. This is such an automatic response, that I hardly notice I am doing it until my attention is pulled back to something in my current surroundings. My thoughts get lost between my favorite maroon sweater that my mother knitted for me when I was a small child that had that same softness, and the trip over the holidays that we made to see family this past Christmas. Memories of my mother's hugs and smiles, the feeling of her love wrapped around me. This is what this simple shawl means to me. It is much like the baby blanket that my mother made for each of my children. They are often seen with that same wistful look on their faces when holding their baby blankets.

I am so grateful that we had the chance to go see family last Christmas. I am grateful for my grandmother and my mother. They are both such special people. I am grateful to have grown up being loved by them. I am grateful that I have such wonderful memories as these.

Produce and People

After a much needed shopping trip yesterday, I enjoyed a wonderful glass of fresh carrot, grape, and celery juice today. I am very grateful to have my juicer. Tomorrow's menu will include sweet green juice for breakfast. I am grateful for the fresh ingredients in my fridge to juice in the morning. I am grateful to have something wonderful to look forward to tomorrow.

I am grateful for my internet. Every time it goes down, it reminds just how much I use it. It is a huge part of my day, and of my children's day. There is so much to learn out there!

I am grateful for my children. I love being a mom, and I wouldn't be one without them. Even on the days that I am frustrated that they don't get things done, I can still be grateful for having them. They always bring a smile to my face.

I am grateful for my social skills. With so many internet problems, we are becoming quite friendly with the local technicians. Today, the local boss came out because they were short staffed. We had a lovely conversation, and although they still don't know what is causing the random problems, he assured me that they would keep trying to track it down and welcomed my record keeping in the effort to do so. I am grateful to find good customer support with the local part of my ISP.

I am grateful to have fresh produce in the house. There is just nothing better than fresh vegetables steamed up for dinner, or fresh juice made in my own kitchen.