“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more.
It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal
into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our
past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.”
~Melody Beattie
In the name of gratitude and truthfulness I’ve decided to post a little piece of reality here once a week. Likely just a single picture. See my original post here.
I thought I didn’t have a reality moment to share this week. Not because there weren’t ample moments that called for deep breaths and thankful pauses but because I needed a few moments of quiet introspect – a feeling that didn’t lend itself to blog posting.
But a moment came.
A moment shortly after 3am. I gave up the tossing and turning, gave up denying the full bladder and empty stomach and confessed the truth that the warm and wiggly three-year-old in the small of my back was not helping me return to dreamland.
Getting out of bed, with disappointment that I’d in fact only been sleeping for a couple of hours, I was reminded that prayer and meditation is still the best way to spend any moment of the day (or night). In drifted reminders of thankfulness to quiet a busy mind.
Thankfulness for…
That slumbering three-year-old and the man sleeping next to her who care for my heart in such different but precious ways.
A rounded belly that grows steadily with plenty of jumps and bumps to remind of the miracle of life.
A safe home to wander in the wee hours full of peace, love and indoor plumbing.
A middle of the night lightening storm to remind me that I’m not the only one watching.
The pulse of time that beats with promise, hope and faithfulness.
And a voice that speaks sweetly of all of these things.
What are you thankful for this day?
If you’d like to join in with a reality check of your own, please add a link or note in the comments!
Love it when Mama’s keep it real! Sorry for your sleepless night, though. No fun at all. Glad you made the most of it. Very inspiring!! Wishing you a peaceful day.
Last week I had the sleepless night too. During that night I had made a big amount of sewing plans in my head, what to cook for a dinner and finally what to knit. These kinds of night are teaching you to be friends with yourself, especially when you can’t (don’t want to) sleep. To calm my mind, I trying to mediate. It’s hard for me, but t’s worth the effort.
What a beautiful post… Our reality check this weekend came in the loss of a loved one… linking, so you don’t have to search:
http://edegraw.me/family/weekending-sunshine-and-sorrow/
Rachel, this is so beautiful- thank you! And that belly is adorable!
I had to laugh (sorry), because though I no longer have pregnant belly nor toddler in my bed, I still get awakened through the night by a couple of confused dogs. I don’t know what’s wrong lately but between the two of them I haven’t had a decent nights sleep in weeks! I’m not even sure that I can be thankful for them… Maybe after I’ve had some sleep. 🙂
Blessings, Debbie
I love your belly, your perspective, and your heart. Thanks for posting your thanks. xoxo
Beautiful post Rachel, a good reminder for me today…and your belly looks great!
Rachel, I am thankful for this wonderful thing called blogging and getting to ‘meet’ such wonderful women who otherwise would have remained unknown to me. Thinking of you often in SC!xx
Your belly looks amazing; way to be mindful of what’s important. You have so much to be thankful for.
Right now, it’s hard to be thankful for anything but the brilliant sun which has decided to finally shine in a cloudless sky after days and days and days of grey and rain.
It won’t be long, and then you will be thankful for another bundle of joy! Sleepless nights are tough but maybe you will sleep better at the next night!
[…] Rachel had a family related Reality Check post as well this week, but of a different kind! […]
I love this post, Rachel. My favourite reality check, I think.
And that beautiful bump..
My reality checks always seem to be a day or so late, but that’s part of the reality of it I suppose. 🙂
http://stitchandpurl.wordpress.com/2011/07/19/reality-check-3/
Such a pretty post. Such a pretty baby bump!