Gratitude BIG & small
Why be grateful for both big and small moments?
Think of a day that was really BIG for you. Perhaps it was a celebration of a special occasion, a milestone, or something you waited in an anticipation for a long time (like my recent visit to this bucket list location in Cambodia.
(for cool video of this bucket list spot , go here)
In moments of “grandeur,” it’s easy to feel grateful. And go ahead - it’s OK to embrace that gratitude! We are treated to a moment in life that we deserve, or perhaps one that was unexpected (or one we feel was NOT deserved, but it came up anyhow). So we’re thankful for it, thankful for those who planned it, or thankful to the Great Creator who provided it in our life.
But sometimes much more challenging — yet rewarding — is finding gratitude in the SMALLER moments in life.
Here are some small moments from this past week, where I found myself being grateful:
I was singing in my church choir last Sunday morning while I watched the smile on two little girls as they handed of the offerings to our priest,
I was walking in the afternoon California sun in January as a text arrived from my sister-in-law with a photo of the snow-covered lawn in Massachusetts (I was grateful for both my warm pleasure and her cold one),
I was watching Youtube shorts when I marveled a series of posts from a young autistic artist who was born without the ability to speak, yet putting herself out there in a big way on social media,
I noticed the beautiful colors of the 6 whiskey shots I poured for a friend for a blind taste (btw, the Taste was also something I was grateful for)
I stopped at the Pleasanton outdoor Farmer’s Market to listen to a Japanese flutist who was playing admidst the mob of passer-byers.
So what? Who cares? WHY would it be important to acknowledge gratitude in the small moments?
I believe experiencing gratitude in small moments anchors us to the present moment. If forces us to NOT think about past moments (allowing for remorse to set in), and it forces us to NOT focus on the future moments (allowing for worry to set in). No time to allow technology, politics, news, gossip, NOISE into our lives - we’re too preoccupied with the present moment.
And when we’re constantly focused on things we’re grateful for, that’s called “living in the present moment.” It’s something I strive for - maybe something YOU strive for as well?
Agree or disagree with me?
Want to share a “small moment” where you found gratitude?
Gratefully yours…>RANDY<