Wear gratitude like a cloak, and it will feed every corner of your life. — Rumi
November… whew. This year is flying, isn’t it? Too darned fast, if you ask me… though if I focus on headlines, the news, and all that chaos, it makes it feel like one long-ass year.
I am beyond privileged that I do not have to even give headlines, news, and chaos one scintilla of my attention. I know… I am so, so fortunate. So I consume what news I seek out, I am trying not to worry about things I cannot control, but rather… give attention (and resources as I am able) to causes that inspire me.
So I thought that this November, I would turn my attention to finding gratitude in my days… gratitudes that I will be sharing with you occasionally. Since about mid-July, I have been journaling about gratitude… and while I am not steadily writing daily about gratitude… it has become a focus in my mind. What started as a “task” has become something more like a meditation to the day. A very good thing!
This morning, I am going to share three very good things from last week (it was an exceptionally amazing week!!)
Gratitude One: I was truly worried about Heidi being induced… but that was wasted worry because on Tuesday, October 28, she and Christian welcomed a new baby to their family! Odette Elizabeth arrived late Tuesday night. She is perfect in every way! Yes, Odette arrived before her sweater was done! But… it is so close to the finish, I expect it will be in the mail to Heidi soon!
Gratitude Two: After a LONG summers nap, I pulled out my sourdough starter from the refrigerator. It was last given any attention way back in May! And after just a couple of days feedings it was back and raring to go! I baked bread on Friday morning and it was such a delight to have that fresh baked bread smell in the house again with the added boon of a delicious loaf of sourdough bread to eat!!
Gratitude Three: Time change… I know… I know! Even though no one else in my house was happy about the time change it was so nice to walk in the light on an early Sunday morning! I won’t need my headlamp, at least for a few more weeks, and that makes me happy! The other curious benefit to time change was the deliciously “slow” Sunday morning. The neighborhood was quiet, the house was quiet… ahhh!
So welcome, November… I am looking forward to your gratitude focus this month!
Love that Rumi quote. I don’t mind the time change (though I did get up way too early on Sunday – lol – we forgot to turn back our clocks). I love having dinner by candlelight – just seems so cozy for the Fall and Winter. Though I don’t keep a gratitude journal, every day I think of things I’m grateful for and list them in my head.
Gratitude is a lovely way to slow down November! I was so confused about the time change that I turned the clocks ahead an hour. John asked how that was going to give him an extra hour of sleep, so then I realized what I had done and turned them back two hours. I think things are right now, but that is part of the joy of being retired. I don’t have to care about the actual time too much. Enjoy that bread and the many pictures of Odette that I hope you are receiving!
Congratulations on your new granddaughter! I’m glad her arrival wasn’t held up by the incomplete state of her sweater.
I never enjoy changing the clocks, but I’m much happier about gaining an hour than losing one. I was mostly worried that Ruthie would be up before 5, but luckily she was up about the normal time and I got my usual amount of sleep.
Congratulations to you and welcome to Odette
Congratulations!
Congratulations on that new little granddaughter. Such a lovely name. I rather like turning the day of turning the clocks back. Even though we had the same twenty four hours, Sunday felt long and luxurious. Being grateful is one of my intentions for November. As Bonny mentioned, it’s a good way to slow down November.
Three wonderful things to encapsulate gratitude for you right now. I’ve had a daily gratitude practice for many, many years and it’s a very important part of my routine.
We are so fortunate to have so many things to be grateful FOR. It’s important to remind ourselves of that, and November is a fine time to do just that! Congratulations to you and your whole family on the arrival of little Odette. She is sure to bring much joy to all of you. XO
Odette! What a beautiful name. You must all be so thrilled.
I was just saying that I haven’t made bread for a long time. You can’t beat that smell in the house.
congrats!!!!! I am so happy the baby is here safe and sound. How exciting!! Now she can wear all the pretty little knits you made 🙂
Congratulations on that sweet new granddaughter, Kat!! How wonderful. Welcome, Odette!