Seeing the Flowers in the Weeds

Some people could be given an entire field of roses and only see the thorns in it. Others could be given a single weed and only see the wildflower in it. Perception is a key component to gratitude. And gratitude a key component to joy. ~ Amy Weatherly

March 4

This morning, as I watch the world come to life out my window again, I am filled to overflowing with gratitude. Today, I am grateful for perspective. God has given me a moving art piece to watch, of pink and blue streaks across the sky with a low lying puffy grey-blue cloud blanket that lies just beyond the mountains. There are tiny sheer purple clouds bobbing across the foreground as though in procession. The trees are swaying to an upbeat wind as the hummingbirds gracefully fill their tiny bodies with nectar.

I am grateful for the beauty of this day, but I realize I would be equally grateful for a rainy day. There was a time I would have been disappointed to find that it was raining because I would "have to" take Gracie out in it. It would definitely be an excuse to not go out and take a walk in it for longer than necessary.

Now, although I love the rain-free mornings, I sometimes find it to be just a touch disappointing to my heart when it is not raining. I love the smell of the rain, and the freshness on my skin. I first realized this when Eric recently told me it was raining and 34 degrees and to my surprise, I got excited, knowing that I "got to" go take a walk in it! I know that when it's raining, all the beauty I enjoy when it is not raining is being nourished.

And it all comes down to perspective. One can either feel and smell the rain and see it as life-giving and something to be experienced... or dread getting wet. I find this is true of most things in life, including the people in our lives. I am grateful that God taught me about perspective and that I was open to learning. If not for perspective, I would be missing out on so much that is precious to me, including the opportunity to love even those we may have once deemed unlovable. There is only so much time we all have to live on this earth, and I would rather spend it loving and learning from what is put in front of me (both pleasant and not so pleasant) and finding the positive where I once saw only negative.

March 7

Today I am wrapping up a 40 Day Sugar Fast with one of my sons and one of my daughters, but I am no where near "done." Living a sugar free life has become a desirable choice that I fully intend to continue beyond these 40 days... and that in itself is a changed perspective. It's not like I'll never eat anything with sugar again, but it will be reserved for rare occasions, and I LOVE it that way. If, on January 27 when I started this, you had told me that on March 7 you could eat a bowl of chocolate ice cream in front of me and I would prefer my yogurt and blueberries, I never would have believed it. Sometimes miracles do happen, even when you don't expect them! So, I celebrated the last day of the fast and the first day of a lifetime of health with a hike. It's the first one I've taken in probably 20 years... and it felt amazing!!

Please enjoy some pictures, presented in random order, that I took while walking and hiking this weekend, below. I hope you've had a restful weekend, and that you'll have a joyful, productive week filled with positive perspective.

P.S. If you know what the pink flowers at the end, please let me know. I've never seen them before and would like to know what they are.