Attitude of Gratitude

When seasons change so does my overall attitude. When Spring arrives there is a sense of renewal and a chance to start over. Sometimes there is a wave that comes over me to clean my entire house. Other times I just want to start something new, like a hobby. Both of these just SOME times happen. It's usually just a chance to change my attitude since winter makes me feel so blah. Today, however, I'm excited about winter! The weather team has reported that we shall receive our first big snow storm and I'm thrilled. This is what I love about winter. It's a strange blend of emotions though. I like to feel all warm and cozy in the house while the snow falls, I love the hope that my husband may get to stay home from work, I like to feel like my house is all stocked up with food and maybe I will bake something, and I love after the snow has fallen I feel a sudden urge to go fight the elements and drive to Target.

I NEED these elements of winter because it's especially hard for me to practice my daily gratitude in the winter months. Especially this very week of December. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love Christmas. I really do anticipate wrapping gifts, baking cookies with my mom and the kids, eating wonderful food, giving gifts and being with family. But those gifts. They cost money. Whether I have a cushion in our checking account or not, I get stressed about all the money I spent on Christmas. This week for some reason gives me crazy anxiety about how we are going to make it through the end of the year. Yet, we always do. In these moments of stress and trying to calculate what everything will cost, I tend to lose track of other things that are very important to me.

I used to have a gratitude journal, which is nice. If you write in it. This is one of the reasons I created my blog. So that I can journal without the journal. I do, however, make a point everyday to pay attention to what I'm thankful for. It is a gift every morning that I wake up to my husband and three children's faces. It is a miracle that I am a mother. Daily I remind myself of these two things. I've noticed that the last couple days I haven't paid attention to much else than my stress. So, here I am about to change my attitude into an attitude of gratitude.

Reminding myself today of what I'm thankful for in my life, that many others do not have. A home that not only provides shelter, but that I love. Food in my pantry to feed my family. Family and friends that care about my children, my husband and me. A husband who is devoted to making this life everything that I dream about. Children who have a love of life that is contagious. And although I know money does not mean happiness, I am thankful that there is some in the bank. Money should not control my attitude. The gratitude I feel in my life should.