I started my week, in a rather bad mood. I know this, I can feel the weight of it.
And so I try to ease myself through, as gently and kindly as I can.
I can feel when I am brooding, and I am very conscious of just what this may be doing to
my face. Is this really what I want to be offering the world?
Yesterday while at work, I am spraying seeds, off on my own, it is rather hot where I am working and I can feel the sweat rolling down my back. As I am on my own, I am also deep in thought working through something that’s been bothering me. In fact these same thoughts had me rather frustratingly awake in the middle of the night when I very much would have preferred to be asleep, and so I am also feeling tired and a bit worn.
As I am spraying, I just happen to glance down and what suddenly catches my eye is a small clump of dirt. Now where I work there just happens to be.. a lot of dirt. But this simple bit of dirt, that catches my eye appears to be in the shape of a heart.
Instantly I can actually feel, all the tension leave my face as all tumbling thoughts empty from my worried mind. My face softens. Light seems to gently wash over me.
And I smile.
Now, I know just how dumb this may sound, but it is here in this little clump of dirt that I am reminded to be kind,
to soften
and
to be open
to Love
This changes my day greatly.
Later, I give a gift to a new friend. A book that I have loved. I have wrapped it in lovely paper to present it – as intended, with kindness. She startles me, this friend by saying, “Why would you do that?” in a slightly accusing tone and for a moment I am embarrassed and wanting to hide. But then comes her smile, and I wonder if she knows of the gift –
I have received.
My appreciation for her comes in the initial thought I have of kindness towards her, when I first think to myself, I would like to do this for you… because you are my friend.
And this, to me
This is the best feeling in the world.
Today, I get to see my husband for maybe 20 minutes longer than the five I have in the past two days. He pokes his head in and as I am sat with my laptop he asks, “Are you writing something?”
“Just a book review, I say, why?”
“I just wondered if you wanted to come, take a walk and talk, before I have to go to work?”
I gladly close my laptop, and I follow him into the garden.
Of course I would follow him anywhere, but this offer of just a few precious moments prove to be my greatest blessing.
I suppose, he knows this.
And now, here I am writing this down, like anyone else would care. These simple beautiful moments which may sound inconsequential to some, for me these things combine in the great expansion of my heart. This is precisely what brings me back to the great magic of the practice of Gratitude. It is in the recognizing and appreciating, it is in the savouring and the stopping in just that moment to realize all of life’s joy for me is here in these rather
simple things .
It is also my firm belief that if you open yourself up
to love
(regardless of how you may be feeling that day)
Love is always
there
to be received.
Love is always there …
and here
even disguised as a little clump
of dirt. ♥