The Joy In Gratitude - taking time to pause

Dearest,

How are you in this moment? How about your toes (if you have them). Give them a wiggle from little to big and back again. How hard do you need to focus to feel each one individually?

The first month of the calendar year is already complete. January is always a bit of a mix but it's also a wonderful time to look back and appreciate those little moments along with those special moments that you know will last and provide joy beyond the present time. Some January moments I'm grateful for.

Our eldest turned 25 - it's a special thing to be able to look at your child and wish you had their talent, wit and be so proud of the life they are creating on their own terms. It is also confusing as fek that the I have a 25 year old when I still only feel 22.

We celebrated 27 years of marriage, but that not the thing I'm grateful for. A long marriage is no indication of a good marriage. As this anniversary passes, I still don't think I'll ever get enough years with that wonderful human I get to call my husband. Choosing him as my partner and the father of our children makes me a bloody genius! It's the time that I still want that makes it a good marriage, not the time that has passed.

Farewelled our youngest back to university. The sadness of seeing them go quickly soothed by the happiness you see in their eyes as they forge their own path. But again - wtf if I'm only 22 how is this possible?

On of my blogs reached over 1,000 views. Yes my ego quite liked it but even beyond that initial superficial feeling was a bigger one as it was a topic that meant the world to me so I loved that more people get to consider another perspective that might have a positive impact.

Other moments that triggered joy that I'm grateful for

Eating foods from our garden. So lucky we can grow our own food without any pressure for it to succeed. If it doesn't grow we have fresh delicious fruit and veg constantly available. So blessed.

I get to drink water straight from the tap. No filter needed. Plus, I've been super good at staying hydrated thanks to my beautiful orange drink bottle that I got for Christmas.

Looking up at the stars. There's something magical looking at the vast expanse of our night sky. I always think about others I love and think maybe, just maybe, they might be looking at the same view too, from wherever they are.

I hope you've had a month with moments that you can extract joy from. Maybe you can take some time to capture them. They'll be there I promise you. Even when the world around us feels crazy, and not in a good way, we still have joy to be found. And we need to make sure we find it because that's what's going to keep us going. Keep us wanting better. Keep us being prepared to do that hard thing because we know that it will be worth it.

Take care Dearest - of yourself, of others, of your thoughts, of your actions and of our beautiful world.

You are worthy - always

Ngā manaakitanga xxx