The Gratitude Project - 08.01.11

When my son was preparing to deploy to Afghanistan in 2009 - I was an emotional wreck.  While it's true that we are supposed to trust God's plan and not "worry" - I failed miserably in doing so.  Watching my "little boy" ride away from base, with 1000 or so other young 18-20 year olds, I learned what it meant to "let go".  To say it was hard is a gross understatement.  Fortunately, as is often the case - a dear, sweet friend from church came alongside and walked through the whole deployment with me.  Being the daughter of a US Marine, and the mom of a US Marine - she was/is quite the expert...and quite the encourager.  One thing she encouraged me to do was to read Linda Dillow's "Calm my Anxious Heart."  It's a wonderful little "read" packed with wisdom.  Since then, I've encouraged others to do the same. 

The central theme is contentment.  It seemed a bit odd to me that I was freaking out about my precious son going off to war and she wanted me to focus on contentment.  She knew what she was talking about - and she was exactly right. It was a fabulous "discipline" of sorts.  (By the way, the word "fabulous" is a powerful word in the midst of trials - whatever they may be.)

Along with deployments (on our second one now), our family has seen an unbelievable amount of change in the last few years - some good, some difficult.  Like everyone - we face the regular daily stresses of life.  Of course, if you turn on the television - very little of the local and national news is positive.  It's enough to make you want to stay in bed and hide under the duvet! 

An exercise suggested in Mrs. Dillow's book (as well as by Dr. Phil and others) - is intentionally making notice of the little things in life that are cause for gratitude. So, for the month of August - this is exactly what I am doing.  Every day, I'll find a reason - whether miniscule or magnificent...to be mindful of the blessings, big and small. (In no particular order of significance.)  Please feel free to join me in this endeavor and share those reasons for your joy in the midst of the mundane. 

    Day 1:

August 1, 2011

Lily & Bella

For seventeen years I pleaded for a kitten...on Easter of this year - my husband gave me two!  They are the sweetest little animals ever.  On the days that I am walking into an otherwise empty house, they greet me with nuzzles and purrrrs...bringing an instant smile, and keeping me company.