Open Door Healing

As I was putting the dishes away this morning, I thought to myself how nice it is to have a cutting board holder. It keeps them in place, and it looks nice on my counter. I bought it out of frustration as I had them stacked against the wall and they kept falling. The moment also reminded me how small things can bring a moment of gratitude. And even though I say a gratitude prayer every night for my day, family and friends, it’s been awhile since I’ve been on an actual “gratitude” journey. That could be because it has become a way of life, saying thank you to a small breeze that cuts through the stifling air, noticing a beautiful flower, when I trip and don’t fall flat on my face. A couple of years ago, one of my FB friends invited me on a 30 day gratitude journey for normal things, like door knobs and light switches etc. It was a fun exercise in noticing the little things that make my life easier that I tend to take for granted. I have to credit Sarah Ban Breathnach who wrote: Simple Abundance; A Daybook of Comfort and Joy, for a turnaround in my attitude. I read it when it first came out in 1995, and revisited it 3 years ago with a book club. My first copy was highlighted on almost every page. When I reread it, the subject was still relevant, although a lot has changed in 31 years. An attitude of gratitude has not. This week, I am going to again focus on those ordinary things that I take for granted, because honestly, I have so much to be grateful for.