Gratitude for the Small Things

How easy is it to take our everyday blessings for granted?  When did you last show gratitude for your food?  Your shelter?  Your vehicle?  The people in your life? Your ability to move?  Sometimes it’s not until we lose one of these things that we realise how much we take them for granted in the bustle of our everyday lives. 

Over the weekend I was once again reminded by the universe to show gratitude.  This time it was the internet.  Yip – again the ominous silence when picking up the phone and no light at the end of the tunnel, oops, I mean modem.  I’m aware that it’s a small blessing that we have this service at our home, and, in the grand scheme of life.  From another perspective, when you work from home this service is an integral requirement.  On Saturday afternoon after talking with the Spark operator, I took time to send out positive vibes to the Chorus team that would receive the fault call.  On Sunday I took time to send out thanks to the Chorus team again, that might potentially be working on our fault in the wet and windy weather and projected visions of that wee green light shining at the end of the tunnel, oops, I mean modem on Monday morning.

Today we’re grateful for the service of the faults team who are on their game as there’s a small green light at the end of the modem.  There’s still no landline, however with call divert this is manageable.  Yes – there’s tethering, which is slow and cumbersome at our place, and I’m well aware this is a first world problem with real world implications for my business when it’s not there.  This morning I began to wonder … how many days do I take this small blessing for granted when it is working well, as I sit at my desk communicating with the world? 

Here’s a poem that’s been shared on social media in a variety of forms, and is a wonderful reminder of the small things we are blessed with.

I Am Thankful For…

… the mess to clean after a party because it means I have been surrounded by friends.

… the taxes I pay because it means that I am employed.

… the clothes that fit a little too snug because it means I have enough to eat.

… my shadow who watches me work because it means I am out in the sunshine.

… a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning and gutters that need fixing because it means that I have a home.

… the spot I find at the far end of the parking lot because it means I am capable of walking.

… all the complaining I hear about our government because it means we have freedom of speech.

… my huge heating bill because it means that I am warm.

… the lady behind me in church who sings off key because it means I can hear.

… the piles of laundry and ironing because it means my loved ones are nearby.

… the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours because it means that I’m alive.

… weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day because it means I have been productive.

Taken from Family Circle – November 1999

Have a happy GratiTuesday tomorrow and let us make time to give thanks and enjoy the little things in life.