The weather was beautiful today and the flowers in my garden are starting to bloom. I was overwhelmed with contentment.
It was a bit of a disaster of an evening. I was trying to cook a nice italian dinner. Kids had lots of homework. In the end, the house was destroyed. Dinner was a success. Homework was completed by 9pm and I was too tired and sore to deal with the aftermath. Guess who will be scrubbing the kitchen at 6am... this girl.
But none the less I found myself completely unphasied. Two squirrelly boys having a hard time with homework. Cool. Crying and fighting at my feet while i'm handling boiled water. Yep, I've done it before. I was magically cool though what seemed to be a hard evening. But why?
The weather.
Gratitude sparks joy.
In Michigan, where I grew up the first 50 degree day is celebrated with bbq, frisbee and shorts. It's like a holiday. Everyone in the whole state is happy.
I had to check out Marie Kondo. I have my own random obsession with organization, especially of clothes and toys and I was curious to learn if there would be any tips for me.
I was struck by her concept of items striking joy.
I was struck by my calm happy demeanor stemming from the beautiful weather.
I pondered this while i put the kids to bed and realized how deep the connection between gratitude and joy really is.
When things suck for a long time and suddenly they stop sucking... getting a new car after not having one, starting a relationship after being lonely, a job when you are broke, good weather after winter, health after sickness.
There is joy.
Deep joy.
Because there is gratitude.
Authentic, unabashed gratitude.
In those times I don't choose to be grateful. I can choose nothing other than gratitude.
It is hard to find gratitude when things are generally ok. Or at least the all encompassing gratitude that sparks joy.
I think life has to slow down enough for the heart to search out gratitude and to be moved to joy from it.
When I move slower, my heart can meditate on those things that mean the most to me.
I can find gratitude.
Joy follows.
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