Sunday Words of Gratitude

Holidays are essentially drawing to a close now with "reality" returning to our home tomorrow as another schooling term starts {early morning departures, late evening returns, a busy structured lifestyle upon us again}.

This week, I have been grateful just for the little things ~ to see the smiles and cheeky glints returning to the eyes of the 3 B's ... They work so hard during each term and were so so so SO TIRED at the end of Term 2.

But this week, their little (really big) personalities have returned, their smiles have widened and that sparkle has returned to their eyes!

I am grateful for the leisurely days we've been able to have, no expectations, no timelines, just a slow, relaxed pace of life.

I am grateful for the time we've been able to spend together without that lingering thought (that there is something I really should be doing in terms of school work).

I am grateful just to have been able to spend some quality time at home with my children, just them and me.

Sounds so simple, but sometimes the simplest of things are those that bring the most gratitude.

Sunday Words of Gratitude

You know those weeks you have, they fly by before your eyes, days just rolling into one another. The world flying by fast and furious. You hear the clock ticking, second, minute, hour. Sun rises, your driving to work and before you know it, the sun sets as you embark home. Life like a torrid raging current, rushing along, so much to be done before the week is out! Its' the last week of term you know, there are parent / teacher interviews, final planning for the coming new term, meeting your student teacher that you will mentor upon your return, tying everything together before you will allow yourself two weeks of solace, recover and relaxation. If you don't pull courage from the bottom of your soul to keep afloat during these hectic times in your life, you could be so easily lost, swirling below and sinking before you know it!

I really embraced this past week the dawn of a new day with each sunrise. I stood still, I took a moment of silence, breathe in 2 .. 3, release 2 .. 3 Then refreshed I would start my day with a positive outlook.

This past week, I seem to have especially experienced an affinity with the closing of each day as well. As I set off from work each evening, I would look in my rear view mirror to see glorious hues fill a western sky behind me.

I'm not sure how you feel, but to me sunrises are quite refreshing and energising, whereas sunsets soothe the soul and bring a great sense of calm. Its' a reassuring sign that your day is done, a time now to leave everything of the current day behind you, to lay to rest your worries, fears, concerns and just enjoy a few moments solitude as you move forward to the closing of your current day.

You know that tomorrow is again a new day with new challenges that you will face with lifted spirits.

I am now on holidays on for two weeks and am enjoying the first few days of just doing things for myself {and trying to literally ignore my school bag in the walk in robe {for now ...}.

Happy Holidays,

Sunday Words of Gratitude

I've always been one to sit down and reflect upon my days, and since joining a supportive group of crafty like minded girls, Sunday has become the day to reflect upon the week gone by and what I have been grateful for ...

Its' been a very busy few weeks for me with the end of Victorian School Term 2 only days away.
I've been immersed in assessment and report writing and I certainly am *GRATEFUL* that after many weeks of dedication, following a strict home routine (whereby I would write a report every night once I had tucked the 3 B's soundly in to their beds for peaceful slumber) and having the unconditional support of Daddy B, that for now, this busy phase of my life is over for the first half of the year! {Although I am entering parent/teacher conferences each day after school this week.}

I am *GRATEFUL* for those days when I literally am dragging my feet through the front door, dropping my work bag and wishing I could just plonk myself (literally) into the nearest chair for a few minutes peace and solitude trying not to even contemplate that I should be in the kitchen cooking my family a meal, I find a hand written note and a hearty homemade casserole from my mother already waiting for me {*LOVE*}

I am *GRATEFUL* to be blessed with the most AMAZING Friend *T* who is always there on the other end of her mobile phone, that warm voice at the end of the day, as I am driving home from work, just to have some contact with the "outside world."

I have been thinking the last few weeks as I walk towards my room well before 8am each morning {I work in a small rural country school} about that tranquility you feel that warms the heart and soothes the soul when you take the time to stand still for one moment, to look out and see the golden glow of a morning sun rising slowly, making her way upwards and onwards over country paddocks (quite often now covered in a low lying mist). Note, below is an example, I have been meaning to take my own photo, so that is on the "to do" list! But the essence of beauty is portrayed as below, this is very similar to what I see each morning just before I enter my own classroom for the day.

This is a moment I am *GRATEFUL* for on a frequent basis and I think here is the dawn of a new day. Today, I have a gift of opportunity to all those around me, to learn, to achieve something new, to smile and laugh and enjoy what I have, even simply to just make someone happy from doing the simplest of things.

Next time you see a sunrise, be *GRATEFUL* Let your sunrise soothe your soul and lift your spirit!