I have to admit I was not in the best of moods when I woke up this morning. I did not want to wake up. I did not want to run. I did not want it to be blazing hot. I did not want to do anything productive. Lucky for me, Speed Racer has motivation, and I have guilt. As soon as he's out of bed I know I have to get up or forever feel like a bum. I rolled, literally rolled out of bed, my old runners feet creaked and popped as I shuffled down the hall on the hardwood floors. I pulled on my running clothes and poured some cereal. Hunched over my frosted mini wheats, my eyes finally peeled open.
I still really wasn't awake on my way out the door. It was hot, the humidity engulfed me to the point it was hard and thick to breathe. My glumness transferred to the weather. Everything looked brown, everything was crusty and dead. (This is how lovely I am in the morning.) As I walked towards the road, this caught my eye.
A beautiful lily was just opening up, still covered in morning dew. I smiled. Flowers always make me smile, especially stubborn flowers that just try to carry on no matter how hot it is. This lily was there going, "I'm a flower and I'm going to bloom, dagummit." I started to run and as I ran it was like little flowers opened up to me everywhere. Blue, white, red, and yellow just peeped out from all the dead foliage.
As I ran I was reminded of how last Lent, I decided instead of giving something up and being sad about how I couldn't have chocolate, to dedicate a time each morning to come up with five different things I was thankful for. It worked amazingly well, I felt so grateful for all that I had been given, and it got me out of the habit of just saying, "I'm thankful for my husband, my family, my friends, my home, and my kitties."
I really enjoy trying to figure out the little things I'm grateful for. The small changes in life that make it surprising and lift my spirits. So in the hopes that this lifts your day as well as mine, I encourage you to write down ten unique things you are thankful for today. Here is my list:
1. I am thankful for stubborn flowers.
2. I am thankful for the shuffling sound of my running shoes on pavement.
3. I am thankful for curiosity and that I still have some.
4. I am thankful for furry paws that greet me every morning.
5. I am thankful for late night talks.
6. I am thankful for fingers gently moving through my hair.
7. I am thankful for the feel of sun on my skin.
8. I am thankful for funny emails from friends.
9. I am thankful for hugs that take my breath away.
10. I am thankful for smile wrinkles.
Oh! And #11. I am thankful for my camera so that I can share pictures and my random thoughts with you! Happy Wednesday everyone!