The art of being grateful.

As I have been pondering over what my next blog should be, one thing kept coming to mind. Gratefulness. I feel as though the last few blogs have been slightly more practical, which is totally necessary, but more then anything, if I look back at my first blog and the direction I'm trying to take my life this year I keep coming back to the idea of being grateful. The idea of making something out of nothing means nothing if you don't appreciate the nothing and the something. I hope that you understand what I mean when I say that. I can't really think of another way to put that thought into words.

When you don't have much money, it is hard to think about much else. You worry over your budget, you think of ways to save, think of all the things you could be doing, or could be buying. You can get caught in a sad, frustrating, SELFISH tornado of pity. Somedays I find myself in this place. I think about how fun it would be to buy Harper a brand new thomas train, about how I would love to treat myself to a pedicure, how much easier it would be if I could just go out to eat and order whatever it was I was craving. I remember all the times I didn't have to think twice about doing those things. But then I have days that I have a little bit of perspective, when I am truly grateful. I have an amazing husband, who sacrifices so much of his time to provide for our family now (work) and the future (school). I have a healthy adorable happy 2 year old little boy who brings so much joy and entertainment to my day. All of our family that do whatever they can for us, even from more then half way across the country. My friends, oh my, my friends. Their love and generosity means the world to me. I just don't know what I would do with out them. I could on on and on about all the things that I am grateful for.

I sat down on Sunday and started to write thank you notes to all the lovely women who came to little Greyson's baby shower. I was overwhelmed with love and thankfulness for each of the women there that night. There was just not enough space on each of those tiny little blue and brown thank you notes to fill with my gratitude for them and their generosity and love. I don't want to forget this feeling of gratefulness. How I felt as I sat and attempted to put words on a blank note that could somehow convey my feelings is how I want to feel every moment of every day....because in every moment of every day there is something to be that grateful for.

This is how I need to choose to live my life, living in a place of gratefulness. Take a moment today to think about all that you have to be thankful for, take a minute to write a friend a card, telling them what they mean to you. Take a few moments to cuddle with your significant other, your child, your mom, your dad, your best friend. Do whatever it is you need to do to remind yourself that there is always something to be grateful for. I leave you today with one of my favorite prayers of all time....one that my grandfather has said before every meal for as long as I can remember.

"God is good, God is great. Thank Him for this food, thank Him for this day. Amen." ~ Victor Botteron