365 Project - Day 263

"Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude." Ralph Waldo Emerson

I have been fervently trying to capture my husband's marigolds. My attempts have been largely futile. While hearty plants, they are too tiny for my lenses to crisply capture. I do not have a true macro lens, so this has been an exercise in daily pursuit. I have learned, however, to be simply grateful for their adornment of our garden. I'm more casual in my attempt now and think more about the full composition of the photograph, less about the individual flower.

I often try to think about life in that way as well. Be present enough to clothe myself in gratitude for the moment and also provide myself with enough space to think less about an individual annoyance and more about the big picture, the full composition.

To be sure, those more composed thoughts don't always come in the midst of the frustrating moment. Sometimes, I just can't clear my head. I do, however, try to force the clearing quickly, remembering that all things, good and not so, contribute to my well-being. And a habit of gratitude, I'm convinced, begets more opportunities to be thankful.

Blessings.

Today's Photos: Composed Marigolds

"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18







EXIF: Nikon D7100
ISO 400
50mm
f2.8
1/100s

365 Project - Day 77

James said, "Every good action and perfect gift is from God." (James 1:17) Ever feel like you need a day filled with good actions and perfect gifts? Just one day, right? No steps back, only steps forward. If only life was so. I've come to discover the secret to a life filled in this way, is seeing it thus. What does this mean? It means recognizing the many gifts we are given in the everyday existence of our lives. It is adopting a soul of gratitude for all that you have and seeing your life as more full, even with little, than scarce.

In a couple of days, I will write of the momentary frustration I felt today and believe me, you will see it in my photograph. Even in that frustration and in that awkward photograph, however, there is a perfect gift.

"Good" actions and "Perfect" gifts are cannot be determined by how we feel at the moment we experience or receive them, but by how we are changed. It is possible we may see them as mediocre and imperfect. We tend to view everything we experience from our own lens. We expect things to happen a certain way and when we don't experience life the way we anticipate, our world seems askew. Yet God is improving our lives in the very moment His actions take place, regardless of our interpretation. I broke my leg 2.5 months ago. It is certainly not how I envisioned spending the last few months, but it has been a blessing in many ways. And, I am cool with it! One of the best outcomes of "the incident" (as I like to refer to my fall) is that I am more present and mindful in all situations. I can't do multiple things and it takes a long time to accomplish one thing because of both the inconvenience and my deepened intensity. I also am stoked by James 1:12, "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him."

If we can stay focused on the fact that God has a better plan for our lives than our own plan, then perhaps we can start to see more actions as good and more gifts as perfect. And then know that when we need help, we need God. When we do this, we fill our days with gratitude and open our hearts to receive more blessings and more grace until it spills over to all we touch. Now, I would say that is life lived forward, wouldn't you?

Best wishes!

Today's Photo: Toward Gratitude and Grace

"Every good action and perfect gift is from God." James 1:17

365 Project - Day 32

I recently read an article discussing the science of gratitude, indicating scientific proof that the expression of gratitude improves our well-being, mentally, physically and spiritually (http://newsok.com/the-science-of-gratitude-lose-weight-save-money-and-conquer-stress/article/5371457). I came across several similar articles tying science and gratitude this week. This time of year, when the US celebrates Thanksgiving and as we enter the December / January holiday season is the perfect time for this insight, but did we really need the world of science to tell us what our hearts already knew? Henry Ward Beecher said it well, “The unthankful heart discovers no mercies; but the thankful heart will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings.”

When my children have asked for large gifts, Wii's, Xboxes, cameras. I have asked them to keep a gratitude journal before granting them their wish. I believe it is important that they are clear about the blessings (large and small) that already exist in their lives before they move on. Frankly, though, I don't do this often enough but I hope we are making progress. It would be fantastic for my teenage boys to get into a daily routine of writing in a gratitude journal. Then, again, they are teenage boys!

As I spent time with my almost 83 year old parents and their friends of more than 60 years this week, I was deeply moved by their collective gratitude, love and enduring friendship. Mostly, though, I was reminded of the grace and love of my parents. I am fortunate to have parents that exude love and I am thankful that God saw to it that I was assigned to them.

Today's photos: "Gratitude in Love"

“None is more impoverished than the one who has no gratitude. Gratitude is a currency that we can mint for ourselves, and spend without fear of bankruptcy.” Fred De Witt Van Amburgh

“We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.” Thornton Wilder

365 Project - Day 12

“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

I am grateful for so much today, including the opportunity for rest as a result of my broken leg... Grateful for the love, grace and peace of God, the love of family, the laughter of children, the warmth of my parents' voices, the gift of flowers, the comfort of a caring husband, the safe return of a son, the hugs of friends and children, the generosity of a kind note, energizing crisp weather and the beauty that surrounds us every day. Abundance and gratitude are inextricably intertwined. And, again, I am thankful!

Today's photo: "Gratitude"

"This a wonderful day. I've never seen this one before." Maya Angelou