Gratitude Journal

Not too crabby

1. The new Children’s Museum in Greenville, SC

2. Prairie Home Companion

3. Barley’s Taproom

4. Tubby time with the small ones

5. quick steamed veggies in the microwave with butter and basil

6.Zuzu’s calling the television PBS

7.An unexpected pearl of wisdom from an unsolicited source-Thanks Will!

8.Non-sequetor comments from toddlers, “Mommy the polar bear doesn’t want you to drink all the coffee”

9. Heartfelt invitations from toddlers, “Mommy- you can come to the bathroom with me if you want to”

10.Leaning over the co-sleeper to spy a baby grinning up at me

11. The Clemson University Farmers Market

12. Older boys at Chik-fil-A helping Zuzu to overcome her “feeling scary” at the thought of going in the play area

13. Sisters

14. the sleepy smell of my family resting

15. the healing powers of echinacia & garlic

16. modern technology making healing easier

17. warnings to get something checked

18.mail-order flowers!

19. invitations to spend time with friends

20.Fresh baked Beach Bread

21.knowing people who care enough to take their day to help a new friend in need

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.