Angel wings.

My kind, generous friend opened her heart and home and became a foster parent to a beautiful baby girl. Now the time has come for that baby to return to the home of her birth parents.

To say that my friend is heartbroken is an absolute understatement.  But today I can’t help but think about how that little girl got to be in a safe environment, and how, even for a short time, her heart was surrounded by protection and love and grace.

I pray that the seeds of love that were planted by my friend will take root in the heart of that precious little girl.  And that she (and my friend) will continue to be surrounded by angel wings.

~ May it be so.

Gratitude

Gratitude is my secret “mood-boosting” weapon.  You see, many, many days I would find myself in a grumpy mood because it was soooo hard for me to leave my kiddos and go to work.  I KNEW I had to do it — because we had to eat, pay the bills, keep our home.  So, off to work I went.

But my attitude on soooo many days was dark, dreary and downright dismal.  In these moments, I would force myself to list 10 things I was grateful for.  It could be coffee, chocolate, hugs, birdsongs, music, love … whatever 10 things my grumpy self could come up with.

On really bad days I had to list 25 things before I saw a difference, but every single time I did this exercise, my focus changed, my heart lifted, and I would find myself walking into the office with more joy in my heart.  It was an honest-to-goodness, full on game changer.

Question:  Do you have downright dismal days?

Food For Thought:  What if making a simple gratitude list could change your day?  (It costs nothing and takes very little time).

Challenge: I dare you to try it today.  Start with any 5 things (if you need help: clean water, plentiful food, conversation, love, the ability to contribute), and see where it takes you.