Gratitude

I’ve seen a lot lately in my social media feeds on gratitude, and I am not sure if it is just me or others have too. It has made me think and question ‘what is gratitude?’. Why is it relevant to me, right now, and for the future?

I do know that when life is tough it is hard to think beyond the horribleness that is happening in your life. Remember my earlier blog about road works? Where only you can change that lollipop sign? It helps to try and put things in perspective. By this I mean, I am better off than a lot of other people. I have a loving husband, a roof over my head and my health, and much more. Although sometimes the stress of everything affects your health. This week my back decided that it had had enough. I couldn’t walk without pain, let alone dry my toes after my shower. I took some time out to relax, give thought to the why of my back playing up. I even took a couple of days off CrossFit. Those that know me well, know that for me to take some time off CrossFit, something big must have happened.

It has done me the world of good and today is a great day. I am thankful that the sun is shining, that I can touch and dry my toes again and that all is not hopeless.

I found this great little journal type book from kikki.K called “Today was a good day”. It has a list of things that you can tick off as being grateful for. Some of these are:

• I smiled today
• I made someone smile today
• I moved my body
• I stayed hydrated today
• I said the words ‘I love you’ today
• I learnt something new today
• I got outside today

I think you get the general idea. It is not just that you are grateful, but that you helped someone else have a great day too. I like the thought that I have helped someone else have a good day, even if my day is not going that well.

My hubby and I have tried to remember to ask each other each day what we are grateful for – we normally do this at dinner time or just before turning the light out at night. It is a nice practice and helps us appreciate each other and what is good about being alive.

I dare you to have a go at writing some things down that you are grateful for! They don’t have to be big ticket items, just the fact you got out of bed and faced the day can be enough. And you don’t need a cute little book to write them in, use a post it note to put on your mirror or just do what my hubby and I do.

I hope that you and yours have had a grateful day today and that the sun comes up again for us all in the morning.