Monday, March 17, 2008

Gratitude Monday – The Gift of a Day

Cymbidium “Lucky Rainbow” from Asia. Displayed at the orchid show.



What am I grateful for?
Today.
Each day is a chance to grow, change, explore, experience something new or do something routine for the security of it.
Routine may seem boring, but it offers stability, normalcy, continuance, and calmness. Follow your routine and watch as your daily labors are completed. You can cast your mind away elsewhere or devote your whole presence, your entire mind and soul to the task you are doing. Be there. Enjoy it for what it is. All we have is now. Why spend it being bored?
New is exciting, exhilarating, scary. We need that. Shaking things up helps us to grow, getting back in the routine afterward helps us take our growth and get used to it.
Have you ever tried this? Take something in your life, anything, and take it down to its bare essentials. You like the fragrance of a flower? You can be grateful for the flower and for having it, but at its simplest form you can be thankful for your sense of smell.
Does that seem odd? Certain medications knock out the olfactory sense. When you walk in to your house on a cold winter day and are greeted by the savory fragrance of a stew simmering on the stove you are being given a magnificent opportunity for gratitude. You have a roof over your head, you have good, hot food, and your olfactory sense works.
Here’s something to think about. Construct the above scene in your mind when you have a few minutes to devote to it. What else can you find to be grateful for?
**
Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone.
Erin Go Bragh!

10 comments:

Ann (bunnygirl) said...

When the spring pollen has me sniffling and sneezing like this, I'm grateful to smell anything at all, LOL!

But yes, each day is a gift, and it's one we often don't appreciate enough.

Leah J. Utas said...

Sorry to hear about your pollen allergies, Bunnygirl.

the Bag Lady said...

dfLeah - the Bag Lady loves your Gratitude Monday posts! She needs these reminders to be grateful for the things in her life. So she is grateful for you.
Happy St. Patty's Day to you, too!

Leah J. Utas said...

Why dfBag Lady I'm quite touched. Thank you.

Crabby McSlacker said...

Great reminder, as usual--gosh, to not get to smell my coffee in the morning? That would be so sad.

And smell is such a big part of taste, and I love to eat. Another thing to be grateful for, thanks!

Leah J. Utas said...

You're right, Crabby. The olfactory and gustatory senses are intimately related. If we can't smell it we usually can't taste it either.
It would be awful to never again smell the inviting fragrance of brewing coffee and baking bread.

Dawn said...

Now you've made me hungry!

Reb said...

I could wish mine were a little less acute, but then again, I can tell if there is mold growing before it becomes a problem. It has been a bonus in the past, so yes, I am grateful for my acute sense of smell.

Reb said...

P.S. love the orchid and Happy St. Patricks day to you.

Leah J. Utas said...

Hello Dawn - That's the problem with discussing food. OTOH, it's a compliment.

Reb - You clearly have a superior nose.
Glad you liked the orchid.