I've always liked the idea of the "gratitude stone"...keep it in your pocket and everytime you feel it there, think of something you're grateful for. Or even my gratitude journal...writing down 5 things each day that I was thankful for. Recently, however, I've decided to try something a little different.
I started some laundry the other day and as I looked down at the 4 loads to be done, I felt a sense of dread...doing the laundry isn't so much the problem as folding it is! And suddenly this thought popped into my head, this feeling of gratitude consumed me. I felt thankful that we have the clothes to create this laundry; that we have a washer and dryer; that I have a loving husband whose laundry I get to do; that I can be here to help Gram with her's; and I just let those thoughts keep flowing. I felt so good doing laundry that night, that I have decided to apply this exercise to all my "little" chores.
Today I went grocery shopping alone! On the drive I thought about how grateful I was to have a vehicle to drive to the store; to have money to buy groceries; to be able to provide healthy, delicious meals for Ron and Gram; to have had three excellent cooks in our family who taught me (thanks Mom, Dad & Gram!). Even cleaning the bathroom this evening...I can't even express how thankful I am that Ron and I have our own beautiful bathroom now; for my dad who is such an incredible handyman that he did most of it himself; for indoor plumbing and hot showers!
I feel over-joyed with the blessings of this life...maybe chores aren't so much fun, but the life that surrounds having those chores is beautiful. Or maybe I'm just trying to psych myself up for folding all that laundry now...!
