thanks.

It's so easy to forget or overlook all the wonderful things each day that are worth being grateful for. Reflecting and thinking about the little things, its always surprising how many amazing moments there are every day when you actually pay attention to them.

It's something I've been thinking about with all the Christmas and New Year's celebrations: these days are "special" because we set them aside as such. What really makes them special is not some kind of external calendar though- it's the fact that on these days (if we're lucky) we are surrounded by people we love, good food and (most importantly) can forget about everything else in our normal routine and simply be there, together.

In a sense, I think every day could be like this. Obviously not in the exact same way (most of us would triple in size if every lunch was like Christmas lunch), but in terms of the attention and joy we bring to it.

Something I want to try to do this year is start writing about things I am grateful for each day, both here and in my journal, to hopefully encourage myself to be more mindful.

So here are some moments I am thankful for today, feel free to add anything of your own :)

Monday 3.1.11

waking up next to my favourite person

watching swallows perched on the fence

having time to read, drink tea and curl up on the lounge with no obligations

fish and chips under the watchful eye of flying gulls, with a sea breeze

bumping into someone I have not seen in years, and being overwhelmed by her warmth and joy

listening to thunder and fat raindrops splattering on the roof

being able to spend time with my awesome mum and sister, trying to sew flags and sharing more cups of tea (and fruit cake)

lighting candles and watching the flame flicker

eating delicious thai food with two old friends while simultaneously solving the world's problems

coming home to a quiet, peaceful house.