Looking at the world with a grateful heart -
I walked the girls to school this morning, as I do every morning and decided to take the long walk home. I usually exercise 6 mornings a week and take a rest day on a Wednesday but as it was so sunny, I thought I would make the most of it and take it today. It was such a lovely morning and so I pressed in my earphones, turned up my favourite tracks and picked up my pace for a Spring walk home.
It was a fairly busy time of day with lots of cars and vans rushing about on their daily commutes. There were people out walking their pooches and parents jumping back in their cars after the school run. I was walking through Dosthill when I came upon the most beautiful, blossom tree in full bloom. I know this sounds a little cheesy or maybe not even true but hand on my heart, it took my breath a little. My eyes were fixed on it as I walked towards it and it just brought such a strong thought into my head...
How lucky am I to see beauty like this?!
And you may think, 'well, it's just a tree' and I am sure that in the past I would have thought that, too. But as you move through life, you suddenly begin to appreciate all of the small things in life you should be grateful for. I carried on my walk thinking of all the things in my life that I am grateful for, knowing that not everyone is as fortunate as I am. There are many things that we can all be grateful for though and we should try to help those less fortunate. After all, gratitude is defined as 'the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.'
Nature
You may think that nature is just one of those things around us all the time but did you know that it is scientifically proven to have good effects on your body and wellbeing? Being in nature or even looking at scenic views can reduce fear, anger and stress and increase pleasant feelings. Not only can exposure to it make you feel emotionally better but it can also reduce your blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension and stress hormone production. I am grateful for the beautiful trees, plants and flowers that are all blossoming at this time of year. They make me smile, they make me feel happy to be alive and they make the world look beautiful.
Love
My heart is always heavy for the people who never know love. The children who grow up in broken homes where love is not a word or a feeling. Those children that then grow up into adults and are so full of anger and hurt that they get filtered into the criminal world and prisons and live their lives surrounded by more broken hearts and emptiness. I am blessed to have known love all my life. I grew up in a loving home and had so many people around me who loved me. I was able to make good choices as I grew older and lucky enough to find love to hold onto forever when I met my husband. I only wish I had met him sooner so that we could have longer together. He's my rock. I am grateful for the love I have always had and still have as without it, the world would be a very sad and lonely place.
My children
Becoming a mommy was always a dream of mine. I spent many years working with children and have always been very maternal. I'll be honest, I went through a stage of thinking I may never have my own children and I guess a lot of women have times in their life when they feel that way. It really worried me and I remember crying many times seeing friends and family fall pregnant and wondering 'will that be me one day?'
I was blessed though. Not once, but twice. My husband and my parents always tell me I was born to do this job and I have to agree with them. Being a mother is everything to me and my girls are my world. I always think of those who have not been given the chance to be parents or who choose a life that doesn't include children. I think of those with blended families and new adoptive families and those bereaved, too. I am grateful for my girls and the happiness and contentedness they bring me. They fill my heart with joy and my love for them is eternal.
my health
I turn 40 (shhhh) in a few weeks and rolled my eyes at the thought of being 'old.' Of course, it's not old but I remember being young and seeing people turn 40 and thinking 'gahhh, they're SO old!' The truth is though, I actually think I am reaching my prime. I have never felt better than I do now and I owe that to these factors.
I eat a relatively healthy diet. I have been vegetarian/pescatarian for 29 years and don't miss meat at all. I have followed slimming plans like Slimming World and accumulated many healthy recipes books over the years such as 'Pinch of Nom' and so keeping to a mostly healthy diet has been straightforward for me. Oh, don't assume I am 100% strict with this because I most definitely am not. I LOVE food and I couldn't live a life without naughties. Pizza is definitely never off my menu. Oh and chocolate. And biscuits.
I have also been taking better care of my body for the last couple of years. It started with yoga classes, which I thoroughly loved and now its progressed to 6 days a week workouts through Apple Fitness+. I can't recommend it enough and there is so much variety to do on there. They add new workouts every Monday so it produces new material constantly. If you buy an Apple Watch, you can get a free trial for 3 MONTHS! It has helped me have a healthy relationship with exercise and the results speak for themselves. I am heading into my 40's as a fit, strong mama. I am grateful for my health as I had into my 40th year as many people, so sadly, don't reach it :-( - taken far too soon.
My family and friends' health
Sometimes a story in the media or from people around you can bring you right back down to Earth while you're busy enjoying your life. We never know long we or our loved ones will be on Earth and so it's important that we are grateful for all the time we do have. I am very lucky to have a healthy family as many families don't have that blessing. My mom's mom passed away when she was 18 and I feel for her that she lost one of the most important people in her life at such a young age. I have other family members and friends who lost loved ones too soon and I admire their strength that carried them through. I am grateful for my family and friends being healthy and well. We should never take even a single day for granted, we should say I love you often and be there for each other always.
The sun
It may not be for everyone but it's definitely for me! Take today for example. I have probably been the happiest I have been for weeks today just because the sun is shining. And call me old but getting two loads of washing done today and hung out on the line, literally made my day!!! That is no joke! I feel like I won the world today! It is definitely a mood booster in my books and I feel like I can accomplish anything with all the extra vitamin D I soak up. I am grateful for the sunshine. It makes me happy. It makes me smile. It makes everything look pretty and it reminds me of Summer holidays - which I have so missed.
A place to call home
If you have a roof over your head, you are fortunate. The organisation 'Shelter' estimated that as of December in 2019, 280,000 people were homeless in England alone. Homeless doesn't always mean rough sleeping on the streets either. It can be people trapped in temporary accommodation, or hidden homelessness such as 'sofa surfing.' We may wish we had more sometimes, like a bigger house, a new garden, the extra money to buy a new sofa or decorate a room but really, those things shouldn't matter. I am grateful to have a home. I know I am safe and sheltered cosied up with my lovely family.
mornings
This one actually made me laugh a little because anyone who knows me AKA my husband KNOWS I am NOT a morning person. I am a night owl and would rather stay up all night and sleep in late. But yeah, kids happened and now I have no chance of ever sleeping in late! Ha-Ha. But after 30 minutes of waking up and starting to feel normal, I feel lucky to get another morning with my family. Another morning to shout "Brush your teeth!" 10 times. Another morning to say "Where are your school shoes?" Another morning to say "Will you hurry up and tell me what you want for breakfast?!" I am grateful for my groggy, moody mornings because I am living to see another day with all of the people I love. Even if its with a frown and upside down smile for a little bit :-)
