By: Leigh-Ann Larson, M.Ed., LMHC Founder, Elevate Counseling Services

 

Today I found myself looking out the window and truly appreciating the way the sun backlit the abundance of the summer greenery that I was viewing.  The play of shadow and light on the shrubbery enthralled me. Really.

In the midst of my appreciation of this…leaf….a little Finch came climbing into my view (upside down, mind you) in search of, breakfast I suppose. I was overcome with appreciation. I consider birds, in general, to be what some would call my “animal totem”. I love the innocence, the intuition and the freedom of flight that birds enjoy. I love their connectedness to each other, their ecosystem and their knowledge of all that they need to know: nothing more and nothing less.

As I was paying attention to this little magnificent being pecking about outside my window, I realize that I was holding gratitude and appreciation at my center in a way that happens all too infrequently. I noted that I should not withhold this type of appreciation for the scenic view, which I  find myself in on vacation, for example,  but rather, appreciate the beauty as it abounds all around me in everyday life.  It is needless to wait for momentous occasions to experience gratitude for the beauty of this world.

When we open our eyes, hearts, ears and minds to the glory that IS life, in all of its forms, we can then begin to experience that prayerful connection in all of life. In praying intention, there is a depth of goodness, righteousness (right thinking) that brings gratitude in every little response we have to the natural world that has been created for our enjoyment.

 

  • What do you pay attention to? Is there appreciation in these things?
  • What do you want to place more of your attention on? Will this bless you?
  • What steps do you need to take to make this happen? Is there anything preventing you from increasing your ability to pray attention?

 

Affirmation:  I pray attention to the tiny details. I allow for my heart to smile and for my mind to follow suit. I am grateful.