By: Gentle Gardener Oracle
Summer is in full swing, and I’m grateful for the arrival of Cancer season – my solar return! I’m grateful for my washer and dryer. I did laundry in a laundromat for a good part of my life – the only thing worse is taking the bus – which I also did for a long time. And I’m grateful for baked chicken. For the lazy cook, it’s the easiest of chickens.
This has been a week of disappointment and annoyance. Ten years ago, I would have expended a lot of energy (and alcohol), quelling frustration. Now I’m grateful my reaction is more of an eye roll and bored “whatever,” as I head out the door and back to my real life. I’m also grateful that I’m a customer restaurants are happy to see v. patrons to avoid. People who work in the hospitality industry have a tough job. Being an appreciative customer isn’t that hard. And, I’m grateful for beer. I’m more of a wine drinker, but sometimes a cold brewski really hits the spot.
I’m grateful I don’t fear change. Humans tend to catastrophize change. I suspect it’s because we are such creatures of habit that any disruption should be avoided. But if we never changed, we would never grow, and we couldn’t have a bunch of babies running the world. I’m grateful for the canal behind my house, and the Mallard family that’s living there. And, I’m grateful for Waba bowls. Quickly becoming a go-to.
Jerome Powell recently commented that his approach to the economy was to “Control the controllable,” and even though I don’t normally turn to the Chairman of the Federal Reserve for spiritual mentorship, his words resonated with me as a mantra for 2023. I’m grateful I caught his press conference; there are no coincidences. I’m grateful for my safe, warm, house. There are so many people without homes – without countries – just being able to sleep in my own bed every night is the greatest gift. And, I’m grateful for bleach. IDK who invented it, but it’s a comforting smell.
Today I was reminded once again that I’m a big glass of Scotch in a Vodka world. I’m grateful to know that Scotch is an acquired taste, and even though I sometimes wish I were more desirable, I’m truly grateful that I’m not like everyone else.
When I look back on my years of gratitude, I’m surprised at how often I’m grateful for the weather. Of course, I live in California – we sell good weather – but, everyone is grateful for a beautiful day, and I never get tired of them. I’m grateful I have a lot of tools. Interestingly, the more tools you have, the less you like to use them! But, they are convenient and money saving for sure. And, I’m grateful for my ice maker. A great invention.
I’m grateful for my tax preparer. You get to know someone whose been doing your taxes for 10+ years, and they certainly know a lot about you. Grateful for her, and grateful to have gotten filed under the deadline. I’m also grateful that I’ve spent most of my professional life working as a consultant. It’s enabled me to view myself impartially and unemotionally as “labor” (or, as I prefer, “talent”), and allows my clients to see me as a partner, not just the “help.” And, I’m grateful for Trader Joe’s – one of the few stores with reasonably sized prepackaged foods.
IDK if it is the planetary transits, the unsettled economy, or just my underlying anxiety, but I have felt a sense of unease these past few months, and I just cannot seem to shake it. I’m grateful that I’m at least aware enough to know that worry = too much future, not enough now. If you’re doing everything you can, you shouldn’t worry. I’m also grateful that I’m a hard worker. There’s a reason it’s called a work ethic, not a work “I’ll do it if I feel like it.” Working hard is no guarantee that you’ll be rich, but laziness pretty much guarantees a poor quality of life regardless of your income.
I’m so grateful that my cousin came to visit me for Easter. It’s always good to see him, but I’m really the most grateful for all the stuff he fixed around my house. As handy as I am, I only have two of them. Four makes a big difference. Fixing stuff is like cleaning stuff. I don’t necessarily enjoy it, but I feel less anxious and much more in control of my life when it’s done. I’m also grateful all my irrigation and sprinklers are working perfectly. Massive respect for the men who do that work. And, I’m grateful the job market is strong. Despite some tech layoffs, no one has enough people.
Even though change is good, it’s still disruptive and painful. Today has been difficult, and these past few weeks have been tough as well – I think because at some level I know I’m helpless to stop change; I just have to ride the wave as best I can. Dark and unstable moments like this force me to dig deep for gratitude. So, today, I’m grateful for clean. Clean sheets, clean kitchen, clean clothes. I’m grateful for my freezer. And, I’m grateful that at some level I know that whatever comes out of this turmoil will be for my greater and higher good. Acceptance must be my mantra.
365 Days of Simple Gratitude 