As if the monster 8.9 earthquake and ensuing tsunami weren't enough, or the terrifying 400+ aftershocks -- some up to 7.0 on the Richter Scale, now search and rescue operations will be further hindered by snow. Temperatures will drop to the 20s and 30s, while whole communities have no electricity, or experience rolling blackouts, as experts scramble to avoid a nuclear meltdown disaster. My heart goes out to survivors of this horrific natural disaster.
Puts things in perspective, doesn't it? I've been wallowing in my creative slump for too long. Yeah, it sucks feeling blocked. But I'm warm. I'm not hungry, or thirsty. Everyone in my family is safe and accounted for.
Today, I'm grateful for all I have. But that just doesn't seem good enough, to me.
I will celebrate what I have. It's an honor to have a roomy, beautiful home to live in. Beginning today, I'm going to kick-start my trusted daily cleaning schedule. Monday is Power-Clean-the-Kitchen Day. Each day this week, I'll focus on another room in the house. By next week, the whole house will sparkle and I'll shift into daily maintenance mode. A house is shelter, but it's more than a building. It protects my family life, keeps us together and safe, healthy and happy. I'm grateful for it.
When I'm finished cleaning, I'm getting out of the house! Away from my computer, away from my blockages. Many of you suggested last week that I stop trying so hard to write, get outside, commune with nature, breathe. I'm driving to the Botanical Gardens in Athens. There's a great five mile nature trail that follows the Oconee River before wrapping around the wetlands that give rise to deciduous forests. I'm taking along fruits, nuts & raisins, and plenty of water. I'll have my camera and my journal. I'll celebrate my good health, my vitality, and the beautiful, powerful planet -- capable of supporting life...capable of whisking it away.
Today is about being grateful, celebrating blessings. And praying for those whose blessings lie on rubble.
What are you most grateful for?
33 comments:
So true, Nicole. We take it all for granted. I'm grateful every second of every day to have my daughter, who nearly died at birth and was severely brain injured, but has made a complete recovery. Every thing she does, from the giggles to the screaming terrible-two-tantrums, is a reminder of what we almost lost, and life is so amazingly sweet with her in it. It puts everything else in perspective- and my heart breaks for every family who'll lose someone they love through this disaster.
That's awesome, Nicole. I have no reason to grumble either, and great idea to get out. I need to do that too. I hope you get renewed and inspired. I'm hoping to do the same:)
Thanks for the fantastic post. We do take things for granted. I walked in the vineyards yesterday and absorbed the Spring beauty. I am so lucky in my life.
You are right, I am going to kick start my cleaning programme. Then I will-WILL- finish my ms. I am lucky to have electricity and good health. Why waste the opportunity. My heart breaks for Japan.
What a lovely post! Well, today I'm grateful my guitar was found! If you read my blog you'll find out why ;o)
How devastating are the times that we witness on television. I try to be grateful for all that I have but this is always a great reminder. When something tragic happens it's good to know that others around the world still care.
I'm grateful for everything in my life right now. There are so many people who have it worse of than most of us. It's easy to take it for granted when it's every day.
Sounds like a plan. We get so busy, we don't take time to appreciate the gifts - large and small - that are ours. I'm grateful for the blessings of good health, employment and family.
I tried to watch the entire video but I couldn't, too many chills. Yes, being thankful for every moment we are given is important. Knowing that is a sign of great wisdom.
All those poor people in Japan.
This is a beautiful post, and so true. The little inconveniences that we complain about, or the things we take for granted just are shadowed in comparison to this tragic event.
Have a good day - hope to see the pictures from your outing soon!
Your trip to the botanical gardens sounds like it will be lush, I hope it refills the well and cheers you up. I'm grateful for books and movies and writing, escapism and food for thought and inspiration.
- Sophia.
Seeing that video makes me so grateful for every minute I have. You never know when it will be gone.
This is a wonderful perspective! Good for you Nicole.
There you go Nicole! I'm glad you've gained some perspective!It's important to remember what we've been taking for granted, and it will probably open your mind to your creativity!
I'm grateful that my friend Yumiko, who lives in Fukushima, is alive and well despite the "terrible damage" she described over the phone when I finally reached her Saturday afernoon (and woke her from sleep). Yes, this planet is amazing, as you said - it can sustain life and take it away at the same time. Truly awesome.
I try to find something to be most grateful for every day. Today it is my mind: it enables me to think, reason, understand, create, believe, endure. And when it pairs with my heart, I'm all but unstoppable.
Well to me that sounds enchanting, all but the raisins, yuck :)
My house, in lieu of a power cleaning I'm going to use a power washer :)
Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow
Beautiful post, Nicole! Happy cleaning and enjoy your day away. Sounds wonderful!
I'm grateful for the love and support of my husband.
Thank you for the Monday inspiration! :)
Thanks for the reminder to be thankful for what we have.
Here's hoping your cleaning and nature breaks help with your writer's block.
it's very true, Nicole! And snow? What tha? That's just terrible. Didn't they say those guys needed blankets? Great donation idea~ xoxo <3
Great post. Every word you said is very true. I am most grateful for my beautiful family. If I didn't have them then life wouldn't be as great or worth living to the full.
I hope you get out of your writers block. It is an awful feeling knowing you want to write but nothing comes out. Hang in there.
So true, Nicole. We take the simple things for granted. I'm grateful I have been able to spend every day of this academic year with my son, although dealing with the challenges of autism, he is due to move into a place of his own this summer. My heart ached through every image from Japan knowing every car or house belonged to someone who may not care about material loss: either because they didn't survive the day or because the painful loss of family or friends made the destruction pale to insignificance.
That is so true. After this week, I feel like I can't complain about my problems, because they are SO not as bad as Japan right now. And Darfur and Egypt for that matter. Good job on the cleaning- hubs and I just did that yesterday. I always say I'm going to try to keep up with it, but never do . The house always ends up a disaster by the next weekend.
I'm grateful for my life, my wife, and all I have!
It is so easy to get caught up in the day to day junk and forget how lucky we are. Your plan sounds refreshing. Happy Hiking.
Today I'm thankful for my bloggy friends and my family, and my life.
I am grateful for EVERYTHING! God is so good, the earth is beautiful (if dangerous), my family is fantastic, and school is a blast!
I am so grateful for my family, my home and the place I live, and I'm glad for your reminder to appreciate it.
This tragedy does put thing into perspective. I think your plan to get out of the house and explore is a great one. Remind yourself of the beautiful things you have and forget about the writing :-) I look forward to hearing how it goes for you.
It really does put things in perspective and give me a greater appreciation for all the small things and large things that I have. I'm most grateful for my faith, my family, the roof over my head, the clothes on my back, heat in the winter, cool in the summer, and food on my table.
It certainly puts things in perspective. Japan is in our prayers daily, and there's threat of that radiation that may get to the west coast where we are if the nuclear stations have a melt down.
Thanks for joining me on my blog, Nicole. At my age, I suppose, after giving thanks for a wonderful husband and family, I give thanks for still being here. :0)
You got it right - perspective. I find just having the ability to get out of bed in the morning, put both feet on the floor and move about my day, about the planet, about the house, gym, on and off my yoga mat with strength is worth celebrating. That's a whole heck of a lot for which to be grateful!
Oh yes, these disasters definitely serve to put things in perspective.
My heart hurts for Japan. The images are devastating.
I'm most grateful for my family, friends and life experiences. I love my home, and all the nice material things and comforts I am lucky enough to have (well...we worked for them, but still)...I know I'm blessed. But ultimately it comes down to the people I love that I'm most grateful for.
Hugs,
Lola
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