We planted our backyard garden last week. Of course we don’t really have enough space. We don’t have beds devoted to this so we removed the swings from the swing set, threw down some fabric temporary beds and put up some temporary fencing. I grossly underestimated the amount of soil we’d need so we ended up needing more.
I planned a time for the boys and I to add the soil in the afternoon yesterday.
I put on some music, got all the gloves, put on my boots and called them over. They were engaged for about 10 minutes and then they started wandering off. I noticed that I was getting really bugged by that so, I called them back over several times, only to see them slowly wandering off again.
Didn’t they remember this whole garden thing what their idea?
I could feel myself getting more and more frustrated. Then I realized something. I was in the backyard, on a beautiful, sunny day, hands in the soil, with great music playing and the boys where laughing together on the trampoline.
I had a lot I could choose to be thankful for.
So I decided instead of letting the seeds of bitterness and resent continue to fester, I would change my focus. And it changed my night. I ended up working on the garden for over an hour and really enjoying that alone time without my phone or a deadline to think about. It was relaxing, even though it was hard work.
It was an unexpected break in my day and for that, I was grateful.
Mendhi Audlin says, The first step to creating a life you love, is loving the life you have. Of course that’s a lot easier said than done sometimes. It’s certainly easier to dream of the life we wish we had than to find things to be grateful for in our current circumstances.
But gratitude holds the keys to joy.
It just does. Always has, always will. So it’s up to us to cultivate it.
It’s up to you.
Think about something you wish could be different about your day today. (no really, stop reading and think of something) What’s something that’s frustrating you or something you’re really not looking forward to? I know it’s there, we all have something. . . unless you happen to be on your dream vacation at the moment. Even then, there’s probably something you’d like to improve, it’s how we’re wired.
Notice how that makes you feel.
It’s sort of a longing feeling, isn’t it?
Now, think of something you’re deeply grateful for. It could be your family, friends, your home, your car, your income, the fact that it’s Friday… anything. Have it in your mind?
How does that make you feel?
Better, huh?
Gratitude holds the keys to joy.
It’s up to you to choose to unlock it.
to more love,
Crystal
