My son Matt and I exchange a gratitude list nearly every day. At sunrise I’m in my rocker holding a mug of coffee topped with white foam. Wrapped in a soft pink robe and fuzzy socks, I wait for the sun to slip over the edge of the earth. As it ascends, I write a gratitude list and send it to Matt.
My gratitude evaporates in the midday sun. I’m returning to a list of tasks and not the heart of the matter. After three months of sharing gratitude lists with Matt, I understand my mistake. A gratitude list is nothing more than a series of random thoughts until you feel them and feeling takes time. A grateful heart has roots.
Scientists are studying the physical benefits of being grateful. Results indicate it’s a stress reducer, mood lifter and sleep enhancer. For me, being grateful is soothing and spirit cleansing.
This morning, I took another look at the gratitude list that I sent Matt. It was a grade A list, full of optimism and joy. By 5:00pm I’d lost every grateful thought. The day’s difficulties became the lead story. It was a disturbing discovery. How could I be in a sour mood when only hours before I was serene and grateful? Clearly, practicing gratitude takes more effort.
Matt has a thriving gratitude practice. He’s been writing lists for over two years and sends me four-star reflections. He lives in gratitude far more often than me. Right now I classify myself as a gratitude beginner. I write a list most days, but I don’t reread them regularly. When I do I realize that most days are better than we think. Gratitude is an equalizer. Take time to be grateful, and you’ll never have a completely bad day.
Today’s Gratitude List
Watching the sunrise on our balcony
Seeing orange mint growing like a weed
Oatmeal with walnuts and dried cherries
Staring deeply at our little dog Mae’s big, anxious eyes
The blue sky
A quiet room
Matt, just as he is now.
Brigitte Peck
I love this! My son and I also keep gratitude lists (and like you, he started it first!) Some days being grateful that the day is over is as good as it gets for me but even that feels meaningful. Today, I will be grateful that this showed up in my Facebook feed!