Sundays are going to be dedicated to appreciating my life. Many moons ago when Oprah talked about starting a Gratitude Journal the idea resonated with me. I’ve made repeated attempts since my early years to keep a journal or diary and always ended up disappointed in the mundanity of my thoughts when I would look back at it. Was I really that aware of having had pizza and cookies for school lunch on fridays (well knowing me I was).  I’ve often found I have little time for reflection. And reflection is something I want to invite into my life. Early on in graduate school we were encouraged to keep a Gratitude Journal. To think of 3 things we were grateful for each day. Since then, I often find myself making these lists in my head- ranging from the beauty of God’s green earth- to the green peas on my plate- to the episode of Arrested Development that made me laugh out loud. Typically nothing too lofty- but somehow as a whole they seem to show a more accurate reflection on my life at that time when I look back at the lists then prose I tried to create. These lists are simple, concise and effective at drawing up a pleasant memory of that time. So it seems only right that here in The Tao of Tulips I should take some time each week to reflect back on what I was grateful for- in hopes of drawing more of it from the universe in the days to come.

This week:

1. 9 years with Lovey

2. Calhoun Corner’s fresh bread and butter

3. a steady growth curve for The Quail

4.  a job in this economy

5. dear friends inviting us to share their meals

6. chocolate soy milk

7.sleep

8. antibiotics

9. raspberry coconut twists from The Village Baker

10. Broccoli recipes from dear Pam

11. laundry to fold

12. Jodie

13. Big Cookies

14. Sookie Stackhouse

15. Naia

16. Down Syndrome new Mama

17. Edamame

18. cell phones

19. kind police officers offering statistics on auto injuries rather then tickets

20. my blog

21. my family