Five & Two Gratitude List

It is easy to get wrapped up in the fear and anxiety of this time.  These are desperate times.  This is also the reality of daily life for those across the world. 

Using the same asset based community approach we apply to our work in developing countries, I decided to take a moment to look at all that we have rather than all that we don’t have.   This is just the start of my list:

Families spending time with one another - going for walks, cleaning out the garage they have never gotten around to, playing board games and whacking the badminton birdie back and forth in the front lawn.

People caring for their neighbours - shopping for them, checking in on them (virtually of course), lending portable basketball hoops and most importantly praying for them.

Technology!  Yesterday, I had a business call on Google Hangout, Spanish lessons on Skype, my son Facetimed with one friend and Whatsapp’d with another. Today I’m picking up my online grocery list and tomorrow I have an online  Zoom bootcamp workout.  

Time to be creative - drawing, painting, building, crafting, baking…

Noticing the new life of Spring - the magnolias and blossoms blooming, leaves slowly opening up onto the bare trees and bursts of colour from the tulips and daffodils.

Not having to commute through traffic - in Vancouver, this is a big deal! 

Slowing the pace of life - not running from one event or activity to another.

Remembering what is most important - and it truly isn’t stuff.