A Year of Gratitude – August 17, 2024

I found my gratitude on our front porch this afternoon. It was a busy day, full of to dos. While it wasn’t on my to do list, I found myself needing a break this afternoon.

I headed out to the front porch and decided to gift myself a few minutes to just sit. I sat down in one of our rocking chairs and started to rock. I closed my eyes and focused on my breathing.

I felt better just for slowing down, for giving myself a few minutes to recollect myself and my thoughts. As I was breathing deep, I heard a songbird in the distance. I couldn’t make out the song.

In a few moments, the song came closer. Then it became clear to me that it was a Carolina Wren. It has a beautiful song and I’m not sure that I have ever heard it in our yard.

By some grand stroke of fortune, I happened to be outside at just the right time to hear it. I felt a smile come across my face and some of the day’s worries melt away.

Sure, those worries will find me again. The to do list still needs me to cross tasks away from it. I’ll get there one task at a time. I’ll also make sure to give myself a moment when I need it, or even if I just want it, to sit and reconnect with myself and nature.

I don’t know if I’ll hear pretty birdsong the next time, but I’m sure that I will see or hear something to remind me of just how grateful I am for each day even when they are difficult and filled with things that have to be done. Each one is a gift and I’m grateful for a little bird’s song that reminded me of that.

This post is part of our A Year of Gratitude Series. You can find the introduction, inspiration, and entire year’s gratitude’s posts here.