Keep Gratitude in Your Pocket

Lord
Let the details in life take my attention today
A warm mug of tea
The gentle grass under my feet
And the chance just to gather and eat
O Lord
Let the everyday pleasures ring out melodies in my heart
The smile of a friend
A warm comfy bed
The sunlight on the trees and walks in the park
O Lord
Let the more ordinary reveal its amazing delight
Clouds drifting by
Birds sweeping high
The sunset that transforms day into night
Lord
May these things inspire me to praise
And bring a clear moment of sight
Now I see how amazing the world truly is
And soak in Your goodness and light.
 
-www.lords-prayer-words.com
 
A cool, river of water splashed from the garden hose I held in my hand into the dark, plastic interior of the garbage can. I leaned in and scrubbed vigorously with my long-handled scrub brush and listened to the cars whizzing by on the street in front of my home.

I felt grateful. Grateful that I wasn’t rushing off somewhere on this perfect Fall morning. Grateful that I was outside, breathing air smelling fresh with early morning. Grateful that my bare feet tingled with the cool of the long, wet grass. Grateful that I had time for so lowly a chore, the kind of job that is generally put off in favor of more important things.

I wondered if the drivers of those cars envied me puttering in my yard. More likely, they felt grateful that they had somewhere to go and could put off chores like washing garbage cans indefinitely!

I hoped they felt grateful for what they were doing this morning.

Because it doesn't matter whether we are washing garbage cans or whizzing along in our cars, what matters is how we perceive what we are doing. It is how we feel about the things that we spend our time on that determines the experience we have, and gratitude is the game-changer.
 
Photo by Joel Overbeck on Unsplash

Your Spiritual Toolbox

Keep a pocket-sized notebook and pen in your pocket.

Note things for which you are grateful as they happen or as they occur to you throughout the day.

At the end of the day, just before sleep, read over your notes and allow yourself to experience that feeling of gratitude again.  

If you enjoy this activity continue it, noting different things every day.

Even if you are grateful for the same person or situation, note different aspects about those things for which you are grateful.

The more you focus your attention upon gratitude the more you will find to be grateful for!