Tag: #lookup

Revisiting Gratitude

Posted on May 28, 2015 by

I have a friend who is going through a really, really tough time right now. When she confided in me, I felt a mix of honor that she trusted me, and obligation to help her through. What came to my mind first? Gratitude.

I know gratitude is all over the news. I myself have written many essays, book reviews, and poetry sharing the virtues of gratitude and how it has helped me ride out the long, hopeless days of mothering, teaching and living.

So I got her a tiny, blue leather journal. I printed out two of my favorite poems, one for the back and one for the front. And I told her to write three ‘gratitudes’ every day. Without fail. Even when she feels like everything is hopeless. Even when she feels like there is no light to run towards. Even when she feels alone.

And I shared with her my #365gratitude posts on Instagram. And yes, I do both. I give daily thanks for the big and the small things in life. Some days, my gratitudes are easy to find. Some days, I really have to dig. But I’ve found that walking with an intention to find gratitude opens my eyes in so many ways, allowing hope to shine in when I most need it.

The great thing about sharing #365gratitude posts on Instagram is the ability to quickly revisit the images whenever I need inspiration – like today. It’s like revisiting a museum full of life moments – a quick scroll shows me what I value in life, what my eye is drawn to, and what makes me happy. I thought I’d share some of my favorites with you today. And if you’re on Instagram, I’d love to connect – you can find me at https://instagram.com/mamawolfeto2/.

https://instagram.com/p/rKq-HHGm_K/?taken-by=mamawolfeto2

Before the August accident…

https://instagram.com/p/rQqRPgGm01/?taken-by=mamawolfeto2

https://instagram.com/p/rvCfAgGm0v/?taken-by=mamawolfeto2

Keeping my #lookup promise, even when the tears were falling.

https://instagram.com/p/sOHu0fGm-S/?taken-by=mamawolfeto2

https://instagram.com/p/uj0ZQBGm2r/?taken-by=mamawolfeto2

https://instagram.com/p/xDrXbbGm0u/?taken-by=mamawolfeto2

https://instagram.com/p/zln083GmzZ/?taken-by=mamawolfeto2

https://instagram.com/p/06tJ3YGm5v/?taken-by=mamawolfeto2

https://instagram.com/p/2PJTAxGmxv/?taken-by=mamawolfeto2

https://instagram.com/p/2kXlYdmm5T/?taken-by=mamawolfeto2

Notice a few themes here? All things I love – the sky, the mountains, my kids, my dog, my life. Moments strung together, perfectly ordinary, absolutely extraordinary… a life full of love and gratitude 365 days a year.

Hope to see you over on Instagram!

Jennifer Wolfe

Jennifer Wolfe, a writer-teacher-mom, is dedicated to finding the extraordinary in the ordinary moments of life by thinking deeply, loving fiercely, and teaching audaciously. Jennifer is a Google Certified Educator, Hyperdoc fanatic, and a voracious reader. Read her stories on her blog, mamawolfe, and grab free copies of her teaching and parenting resources.

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