A few years ago I gave myself a gratitude challenge. Every day for the entire year I posted a picture on Instagram that expressed that day's moment of gratitude, and it had to be a new and fresh idea or connection. That was the intention I set when I began the project.
At first the gratefulness flowed. I was (and still am) so #thankful for my family, my husband, my child.
Some days, it was much more difficult. Not because I wasn't aware that my life was beautiful and blessed, but sometimes life isn't always kind. There were days when a cup of coffee was all I could appreciate.
There were other days when I thought I might actually explode because I felt to grateful.
What I learned was that no matter what~ if you examine your life and your days, invariably there is the existence of light and it will shine through. I learned that we can rely on it. We can depend on it to be there. Hope, love, joy. Whatever you choose to call it. It will present itself. But, you have to be open to it.
I moved through the year and plugged away at my project. We, my family and I, moved. We began traveling (on an extended journey) after working so hard to do so.
At the end of the year I had changed. I had become more aware and thoughtful to life's daily miracles.
It finally resonated with me, the concept of being present. It made sense. I felt it. And it changed my life.
I look back on that year as rich and full. And I know it was because I lived it with an open heart and wide eyes.
I still try to stop and appreciate the daily moments of hope and joy that make up my days. I might even pick up the project again. But, I will always look for the goodness and light, especially in the dark.
