Much Appreciated Distraction

Went for a long walk in the forest this morning.  Made a gratitude list one hundred items long this afternoon.  Efforts to improve my emotional state.  On this fourth Easter without him, it is still gut-wrenchingly difficult.  Speaking with other mothers living with loss, I know I am not alone in feeling this way.  Thank heaven for the dinner invitation we received for later today, where both daughters and their families will be present as well.  A much appreciated distraction.    

Gratitude List Payoff

This idea arriving a few days ago.  While swimming lengths in the public pool.  To create another written gratitude list.  It had been a while.  Recognizing the need to recharge my batteries.  Rekindle the lighter energy within.  Challenging myself to come up with more than the nominal dozen or two notations.  Setting the goal of listing one hundred entries this time.  Assuming that might take a while. Surprising myself.  Completing it in less than fifteen minutes.  Easily. Resulting in such a deep sense of contentment and appreciation.  Huge payoff for such a minimal investment.

The Power of a Smile

Hanging on by a thread.  An expression that kept drifting through my mind this past day and a half.  Then, while walking in the drizzle along the trail with my young companion this morning, it hit me.  The idea that smiling, even when one is not feeling particularly happy, can actually reset one's sense of well-being.  So, I smiled.  Really hard.  That segued into asking spirit for help with feeling more content.  Instantly noticing the space around my heart opening up.   That flowed into creating a mental gratitude list.  Focusing on all the fabulous aspects of my life rather than directing attention to that which is gone.   As a result, experiencing an amazing shift in attitude.  Feeling much lighter.  Much better.  All from the power of a smile.