On the lookout for blessings and gratitude

When a friend asked me what I did on Easter, I told him I spent a good part of the day helping my parents remove a big, deeply rooted Oleander bush from their yard. He grimaced and said, “That must have been fun.”

Fun may not be the best adjective to describe the day, but a word like “appreciative” would fit. Despite the fact this bush was extremely stubborn and seemed to have roots extending miles into the planet, there were a number of things about the experience I felt grateful for.

Firstly, I got to team up with my mom on a project I’d never done before, putting our collective brains and brawn together to figure out how to get the job done. Second, I got to spend a few hours outside in pleasant weather. Then there’s the satisfaction that comes from working with the Earth and getting your hands in the dirt. I was also thankful that the strength I’d built up in the gym over the years served me well in wrestling with the Oleander, though at times I thought it might win.

Most importantly, I got to see both my parents in action as they repeatedly lifted, bent down, and squatted while pulling weeds, shoveling mulch, and cutting through roots all without a complaint about their knees or backs. I work with a number of clients with limited mobility and flexibility, and watching my folks kick butt in the yard made my heart sing.

My takeaway is that blessings and gratitude are likely available to us in many of life’s tasks, even those we’d rather not have to do. I suppose it boils down to perspective. By asking “How can I view dealing with this project/chore/responsibility through a positive lens?”, we reframe the situation, and the potential for appreciation is born.

What thoughts do you have and what experiences can you share about finding blessings and gratitude where you wouldn’t expect them?