Gratitude

It is August in the desert, but for the past few days it has felt a bit more like late September. The mornings have been in the low 80s and there is coolness in the breeze. Morning walks have been delightful. The highs have been in the low 100s and the air does not have the oven like quality we all know so well.

I know that this is most likely not to last for too long, but how wonderful to have it at all. Last summer was brutal for far too many days over 110 and morning lows in the 90s. This is a gift, and I am enjoying it.

It has made me think about gratitude. Gratitude is easy, you just have to notice the moments that are good or comfortable or fun or great. They do not need to last all day or week or month. Just those fleeting experiences where just for the moment everything works.

The conversations these days are about how things are not working. The upheaval and instability and worry that permeates most conversations is anxiety creating. Most of it is out of our individual control and so there is a feeling of helplessness or feeling adrift on the storm-tossed seas of the state of the world.

Taking a few minutes out of each day to appreciate something changes the conversation greatly. The photo accompanying this blog was taken by a friend who is currently wandering the world. He decided to create temporary art that for the time it remains standing brings wonder and beauty. It does not have to last; it just has to be awesome for the moment.

So, the challenge is, find something each day which brings a smile to your face or gives you a bit of rest from the chaos. It doesn’t have to last it just needs to be. Enjoy the hunt.