Hello beautiful soul and today we're going to explore gratitude for the small wonders that surround us daily,
Those daily gifts that we often overlook and we're going about all our busyness and it can get chaotic at times but it's important to stop and take stock and look at the small wonders in our surroundings each day.
This morning as I began my practice on my back deck here at home I looked to my right and we've had the most magnificent rain of late and I looked to my right and see this beautiful raindrop anchored on the very end of this leaf and it must have been the angle I was on but it just caught my eye and it was twinkling and flickering like these beautiful fairy lights that we often put on our Christmas trees or above our beds and there was every colour of the rainbow in this drop,
This one little drop and as the sun hit on that perfect angle and me and the timing and watching this whole world within this one drop I realised that the sun is in everything,
It's in everything that we are and this one little drop this morning reminded me of the wonder and the amazingness of life that is all around us that we often overlook and so today I invite you to look at these small wonders with gratitude,
The small drops,
The little insect crawling up the wall,
The way our fur babies just give us that little look of appreciation and stop to breathe in to these beautiful wonders and spaces of gratitude that are with us every single day.
So let's find our favourite comfortable space and settle in,
Fluff up our nests,
Comfort is queen.
Let's start by bringing calmness to our mind and as we find a comfortable position allowing your thoughts to settle like gentle snowflakes,
Close your eyes and turn your attention to your breath,
Inhaling deeply and deeper than usual and exhaling with intention,
Oh doesn't it feel wonderful to just breathe,
Your breath is always there anchoring us in the present moment,
So take a few moments now to just simply follow your breath.
Shifting your awareness from your breath to your body,
Feeling the solid support beneath you,
Become aware of this space you've chosen.
How does it feel to be here right now?
This space where you are right now,
It serves as your sanctuary,
Shielding you from the outside world,
Offering you protection and comfort.
Feel the air against your skin,
Whether it's warm or cool and appreciate this simple sensation that's always with you.
Listen to the sounds around you,
Perhaps there's a clock ticking nearby,
The subtle hum of electronics or voices in the distance.
Rather than labelling these as a distraction,
Welcome them as a part of your experience.
Each sound offers an opportunity to deepen your connection with your surroundings,
Simply listen and be present in this acoustic landscape.
Breathe in slowly through your nose,
Uncovering subtle aromas you might normally miss.
Perhaps you notice the natural scent of wood furniture,
Houseplants or fresh air drifting through a window.
Each breath brings new discoveries if we pay attention.
Expand your awareness beyond this immediate space to encompass your entire home.
Think about the everyday objects that support your life,
Your comfortable bed,
The kitchen where you prepare nourishing meals,
The shower that refreshes you each morning.
Imagine moving through a typical day with heightened awareness,
Taking time to acknowledge each of these simple conveniences.
Set an intention to bring this same presence to your regular activities starting today.
Now extend your awareness even further,
To the natural world.
Picture the vast sky above,
The warming sun,
The trees that provide oxygen and shade.
Now extend your awareness even further to the natural world.
Picture the vast sky above,
The morning sun,
The trees that provide oxygen and shade and the earth that supports all life.
Consider the beauty in each season,
Autumn's rich palette and crisp air,
Winter's cozy stillness,
Spring's renewal and fresh beginnings,
Summer's abundant warmth and leisurely pace.
Each season brings its own unique gifts worthy of our appreciation.
While it's natural to feel gratitude when life runs smoothly,
What about the inevitable bumps in the road?
Even these deserve our thanks,
The spilled coffee,
The unexpected traffic delay,
The long checkout line.
Each minor setback offers us an invitation to pause,
To practice patience and to return to the present moment.
Imagine meeting these small challenges with grace and equanimity,
Flowing with life rather than against it.
Take a deep breath in now,
Drawing air deep into your lungs.
As you exhale slowly release any tension you're holding.
Breathe in again,
Filling yourself with new energy.
Breathe out,
Letting go of expectations.
Once more inhale deeply and exhale completely,
Releasing anything that blocks your capacity for gratitude.
Remember this wisdom,
The critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude.
Let this thought sink in deeply,
Commit to transforming your taken for granted's into moments of genuine appreciation,
Moving through your days with eyes wide open to abundance that surrounds you.
And as this practice concludes today,
Become aware once more of your physical presence,
The support beneath you,
The air against your skin,
The surrounds and sounds enveloping you.
And slowly opening your eyes,
Taking in your surroundings with fresh perspective,
This is your life here and now.
As you continue through your day,
Carry this intention of taking everything with gratitude.
