Leafing through one of my many notebooks this morning I came across a certain prescription for joyous living which I had jotted down a few months ago. It's from the trendy Law of Attraction movement. What it boils down to is the suggestion that all we have to do is simply look for things to appreciate. It's that simple.
For starters, I appreciate the simplicity of that suggestion. Looking for things to appreciate is doable, is it not? Granted, the retraining of focus from chronic fault-finding to constant scanning for good is a major shift, but the directions are easy!
One glance out the window provides plenty of fodder. It's a spring-like day with pleasantly cool, moist air. My partly Irish origin is very comfortable with the overcast sky. The birds are revving up for their spring flings- hints of new beginnings float in the air. I admire my handiwork of the weekend: extensive pruning of the bushes which had hidden my house from the world.
Even the Chihuahua conspires to make this day work. Instead of his usual yapping, he is playing contentedly with a stuffed lamb, seemingly sensing that I'm on a mission. A call comes in from the real estate office- they want to show my house the day after tomorrow. Yippee! I have 2 1/2 days to prepare for this showing, and all the active "chi" of the bustling birds and animals around my house might just sell it. And if not, I get to stay here and enjoy it. It's a win-win situation.
Later I have business down in the neighborhood I wish to move to. I'll take a little time while I'm there to walk around, enjoying the urban energy of the large city park in front of the house I want. I haven't spent much time there lately, so I'll relish the reminder of why I like it there.
Today I'll make time to visit a friend who's back in the hospital. He says I bring the outside world in to him when I visit. I appreciate being appreciated. While I'm there I'll be glad for modern medicine which can save the lives of the profoundly ill. And I'll thank my lucky stars for my own good health, which I'm sure I'll be perpetuating with my positivity.
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13 comments:
I've long believed in the art of appreciation and I taught my children to do the same, by incorporating it into their bedtime prayers. I think we have so much to gain by taking the time to appreciate the world around us and all of its wonderfulness that falls upon us! What's more, appreciation helps us to feel happy!
You just gave a lovely essay on Psalms 118:24, "This is the day The Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it". Nice reminder for us. (This is Kacey --- to lazy to go back in and sign in through Google)
Dear Desiree,
What a great gift you've given your children! It's amazing how the mindset of appreciation changes everything.
Hugs,
Betty
Dear Kacey,
This lesson does appear in many forms, doesn't it? Thank YOU for that reminder!
Hugs,
Betty
Thank you for the reminder of living fully and seeing beyond. I will relish your thoughts as I also go about just being grateful.
Good luck on the showing of your home.
Dear Betty...I love this. Now, before I retire for the night, I will think of what I can and should appreciate and what I can and should appreciate in the morning. Thanks for the timely reminder. ;)
Ciao bella...the day in the park sounds great.
Dear Simply Me,
It's good thing that I have to keep coming back to this post to check for comments, because I too need reminders of what my mission is suppposed to be. In the past, I'd go through a day (or an hour) of appreciation, and then I'd be right back in the same old pattern.
Let's spread the grtitude!
Hugs,
Betty
Dear Teri,
Yes, the day in the park is causing me to re-think my entire plan to move, as you may have guessed. There's still time for me to take my house off the market, since no offers have come in, although I'd have one angry realtor to deal with....
Hugs,
Betty
Hi Betty - thanks for your note on my blog. Do try to go to Yoga. Often the last thing I want to do is go out of the house again but once I am there, uhmmm....the dim lights, soft music and Tims gentle voice just smooths out all the wrinkles of the day (well not all but some)...: - )
keep breathing.....smile
Dear Simply Me,
You are very convincing! I'm going to have to try to find a class that fits into my schedule. One of the problems with being a single parent is that you can't take off during the evening hours without hiring a sitter, and I already have to do that so often because of my work schedule! But I'll keep trying.
Hugs,
Betty
Betty,
If there's a quiet spot in your home, maybe you can do a tape. That's how I started with yoga...of course, there really are no quiet spots in my home, but that's why I go to a class now (and my kids are teenagers--perfectly able to care for themselves...??)! I think it has done wonders for me. It really does clear your head.
As for possibly having to stay where you are...isn't it nice that you are able to appreciate the goodness of it? You made many valid points in your post about appreciating what we have. I hate to sound cliche, but there are so many others who would love 1/8 of what a lot of us have!
Dear Lisa,
Thanks for your yoga suggestion. It sounds totally doable.
And about already having so much...I was just thinking about that this week. I honestly don't know how I ended up with such lofty housing standards, because I grew up in a very humble, let's say, situation. And a part of me stays mysteriously stuck in my humble beginnings, like the part that insists on driving a 16-year-old Honda. This could be a post....
Hugs,
Betty
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