On Sunday evening, I dragged myself home from a 3 week, travel whirlwind. Embedded in those three weeks was in-depth work around the emotional topic of money, a family Bat Mitzvah, a college reunion and a weekend with my mom at the Sanity Rally in DC. On Monday I cleaned my house. Thinking it was all behind, I started to relax.
On Tuesday I got word of a new project, set to kick off this week and requiring I get back on a plane for 10 more days. On Wednesday I lifted my daughters backpack into the trunk, threw my back out and started crying. I was officially overwhelmed.
You see, I had lost my “gratitude attitude”. All of the things that had me on the go, are blessings for which I am truly grateful; family, friends and good work. But I was exhausted and I forgot. And then on Thursday when my back pain subsided, a friend said, ” go forth and prosper, lunch with me will still be here when you get back” and the prospect of funding a room over the garage set in, I cried even harder. Not because I was relieved, but because I was so mad at myself for forgetting to be grateful for all I was lucky enough to be doing.
How can we remember?
One way I learned of, years ago, is to keep a gratitude journal by my bed and before going to sleep, jot down 5 things one is grateful for that day. As with many tools of its kind, I peter in and out over time. Yet when I do it, I feel better. Somehow the goodness gets recorded in my soul as I drift off to sleep. I chuckle when I look through it. Some of the same names and feeling are there, year after year. That is certainly something to be grateful for.
On the plane last week, I came across a small blurb about a website that encourages members to list five things they are grateful for everyday. You can write your thoughts, show photos and upload videos and interact with others. Check out graceinsmallthings.com
Yesterday I felt the grace in small things. Beautiful weather, two walks, a beauty treatment and a massage. I felt grateful for a husband who encourages me to take time for myself, a daughter who says, “go mom, you need some Robin time!” and a back that feels better as the days go by.
Ah yes, we all have so much to be grateful for. Now I hope I can simply remember this when I am lying in the hotel room at 2am waiting to fall asleep. Those deep dark nights are when I tend to really forget. So the question for this week is, “how can I feel the gratitude in the glow of the alarm clock?”
What are you MindFULLY grateful for and how do you remember?
themindfullcreative.com 
What’s up, just wanted to tell you, I enjoyed this post.
It was helpful. Keep on posting!