As I awoke this morning (and again it was only 3 degrees) I felt extremely grateful for the warm cozy house. I awoke a little after 4, way before my alarm. I wasn't sleepy so I popped out of bed, fed the animals and made some coffee. The house was quiet, all but the humming of the furnace and the squawk of the girl cat, who was ready to be fed.
As I ventured to put the news on with coffee in hand. I reflected that today is the beginning of Lent. I had pondered recently that I've been purchasing a lot online and without much thought and perhaps a hold on un-necessary purchases might be what I should give up. Would that be too difficult? Who's to say...I think it might. Feeling already grateful for being so cozy and feeling a longing for springtime I thought maybe I'd just try to be more grateful for what I already have and often take for granted.
As the sun began to flood the sky, and hearing the news we may have another 3 to 5 inches of snow tomorrow; I became extremely grateful for the blinding sun and the little warmth it was giving off through the window as I was getting ready to leave for work. Well, at least it's sunny! Rushing about and trying to get moving out the door, my husband and I decided that carpooling today didn't make sense. I jumped in my car, which I hadn't driven in a while, and realized it had a full tank of gas! So grateful to have a full tank of gas on this cold winter day.
When did I become so happy to have these things that I usually probably don't even notice? Well, maybe it's what I should do for lent? I don't know. As I am driving to work, I -again for the 100th time this winter- thank the stars for the wonderful gloves I am wearing. The steering wheel is very cold even though we are lucky enough to park in a garage. How long have I had these gloves? I think maybe I got them for Christmas two years ago. I really should make a point of telling my in-laws how much I appreciate these wonderful leather gloves, lined with cashmere for warmth but useful with tech touch fingers. I'm getting so much use out of them this winter.
Can I actually keep this up? The gratefulness? 47 days of lent if you count Sundays. Maybe being happy with what I have will keep me from making mindless purchases after all.
