Gratitude

I started the day out by sleeping in until 7:30. This might not seem like sleeping in, but for someone who got up at 5:30 am every work day for years, it is. It was nice to stay in bed until the sun was out.

I decided today would be my first run. And let me clarify quickly that I use the word “run” loosely here. I laced up and headed out. It was gorgeous. 53 degrees, mostly sunny, with shadows cast by the rising sun.

My self talk can be kind of head trashy during runs. Today wasn’t too bad for that. I did have thoughts about wishing I was a faster runner, but then I passed some older folks who were walking and I thought to myself, “they probably see me running and wish they could still run. I should be grateful that I can run, even if it’s not very fast.”

And that’s the crux of today. Gratitude. It’s an attitude and it’s so important. I was inspired by a text from a friend today about being grateful. Instead of being unhappy that I didn’t sleep longer, I was grateful to sleep until the sun was up. Instead of beating myself up for a slow pace (on my first run in weeks), I was grateful to be out running at all. Instead of missing my boy, I’m going to cherish the joy-filled times I had with him.

Appreciate what you have. Especially your health. When you don’t have that, it’s hard to have much else. Be grateful for all things, big and small.

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18