Thankful Thursday # 28

Here we are again. Of all the changes in my life in the past few years, this weekly thankfulness practice is one of the things that stuck. And here's some of the reasons why:

1. My boyfriend. I love this man to bits and I am so happy and proud to share my life with him.
2. My kindle As a home owner I've come to the painful realisation that books take a lot of space and gather a heck of a lot of dust. So the kindle allows me to buy every book I want without the added space.
3. The cooler weather. I loved the sunny days, but I have missed sleeping comfortably under a duvet.
4. Disposable income. I wouldn't say I splash money, but every now and then I like to buy something without the worry of whether it will impact my finances.
5. The big sleuth. Birmingham is full of bear statues, and I've started collecting selfies with them. Twenty down, one hundred and seventeen to go!
6. Being able to make a conscious choice to be better, every day.
7. Otters. Cute and fluffly and totally able to put a smile on my face.

The life-saving art of gratitude

Today, I woke up to the sound of much rain and wind. It was stupid am (that's the official time), and I had set my alarm clock to go to the gym before work. I pondered not going. The weather was terrible; very wet, very windy, cloudy and cold.

And as I sat on the sofa, drinking my morning coffee in my pajamas and debating whether to get dressed in gym clothes or work clothes, I felt this wave of gratitude wash over me. I have been practising gratitude for a few years now and it has truly transformed my life and how my senses take on the Universe around me. Gratitude has reshaped my mind and has given me a new trust in the world and all the good and kindness within it. Because as I was mulling over to workout or not to workout, my gratitude muscles kicked in and this is what I knew:

I was grateful for the warm, comfy bed where I had rested, and which would be waiting for me at the end of the day.

I was grateful that I had a gym to workout in, instead of having to run outside in the rain.

I was grateful for the warm shower I would have in the gym before work.

I was grateful for being dry again after bracing the weather.

I was grateful for the raindrops that would fall on my bare legs and would wake me up to the new day.

I was grateful for the not so glamorous weather that allowed me to concentrate on my book instead of gazing out the bus window.

I was grateful for the almost empty gym.

I was grateful for many, many things. All still from the comfort of my sofa. Because I have learned to believe that there are many things to be grateful for, even if I haven't experienced them yet. I could close my eyes and feel all the items listed above and how good they would feel. I left the house with a smile on my face as I made my way to the gym.

Because happiness waits for no man (or woman). And I certainly am not going to pen myself waiting for the rain to pass. So I learn to brace the weather and find joy where I can. And turns out that's pretty much anywhere.