I have found my happy place!
Today is the first day I get to wake up and write from my new house! I am looking out at beautiful nature and the sun starting to rise and guess what??? NO ROOSTERS!
Well, that’s not exactly true. I can hear one faintly crowing off in the distance, but it’s almost like a rooster-mirage, reminding me of days-gone-by.
One of the greatest joys ever is witnessing Costa Rica wake up in the morning. The birds, the sun, the people—everything starts early here. In a country where the sun sets every day at 5:30 pm, our body clocks are set to rise and fall with the sun.
This has always been my preferred way to do things—early to rise, early to bed. I have visions of my productivity soaring, except for the fact that it’s so beautiful that I can’t help but sit and gaze in wonder for hours on end.
I strongly suspect that my ability to remember to give thanks will skyrocket here. There’s no denying that I’ve got a lot to be grateful for.
I had known that moving to another country and learning another language would grow me, but I didn’t anticipate that I would constantly be flooded with gratitude. Of all things that will change me, I suspect that might have the biggest impact of all.
Psychologists and Neuroscientists have long reported on the benefits of gratitude. Gratitude is known to improve our health, deal with adversity and build strong relationships. When you express gratitude, your brain releases the “feel good” chemicals, dopamine and serotonin, that enhance our mood and make us feel happy from the inside out.
Meister Eckhart once said;
If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is ‘thank you,’ that would be enough.
So much to be grateful for.
Make choices to surround yourself with beauty and wonder. When you look in your child’s eyes, see them for the miracle they are. When you taste something delicious, let it linger on your tongue. Feel the warmth of your blankets or of the sun. Appreciate what it means to be alive in this moment.
For in that simple act of appreciation you enhance your experience of your life ten-fold!
It is perhaps the greatest irony there is. We read and toil and fight to get to what we hope is “the good life,” only to discover the good life lies simply in our awareness that it is right in front of us.
That we have the power, every day, to see it or not see it.
It lives in our “seeing.”
So the question to ask ourselves is, “Do I choose to see?”
Ah, yes! Thank you…..
©A Thoughtful Company, LLC
Kimberly! I live in CT with five beautiful hens. I originally had an accident rooster as well, but upon his first cock-a-doodle-do, I re-homed him. Now, someone who lives within a cock-a-doodle-do vicinity has one. The sound is far off in the distance, but boy are those things loud and annoying! They cock-a-doodle-do ALL DAY LONG!
Your post made me feel very at home and grateful. I may not live in Costa Rica, but I consider my tiny little quarter acre of land my sanctuary. I’m so grateful to have purchased my own home for my children and I. And so grateful to be able to fix it up as I see fit. As well as grow food and flowers in my soil!! I grew over 200 sunflowers last year and planted double the amount of seeds last fall. I’ve also added a raised garden bed and my children and I planted seeds yesterday.
My life has never been more full. I’ve never been more grateful. I relate to this post on so many levels. I’m so glad you found your place. <3 May your peace be deep. And your grateful heart be light!!
Ain’t it the truth. We are on auto-pilot so much of the time….
I’ll take your rooster and trade you the early morning garbage trucks, construction jack-hammers, and our nearby intersection of four expressways. Hey, I chose to come to NY. Jen was worth it.
Boulder, CO is making me rethink a lot, reassessing priorities. I worry sometimes about the number of sales of my book, and 10 people are being mowed down by a gunman with a weapon that should only be used in battle.
It puts it all into perspective, doesn’t it my friend? It’s hard to imagine how this kind of thing has become so prevalent and how so many people seem to think it’s okay…
When you tire of your garbage trucks, the roosters will be waiting! Hugs!
Kimberly,
Love reading about your new experiences and insights!
You have captured a core truth right here: “That we have the power, every day, to see it or not see it.” This applies to so many things that we experience in our lives.
We do have the power every day to choose. And by not choosing, we are choosing. #gratefulforyou.
Best hashtag ever, Carolyn! #gratefulforyoutoo
Kimberly, you have put out exactly what the world needs to read today.
I, too, recognize gratitude. Here’s to seeing each day with new eyes!
blessings,
Cynthia
If only we could see with new eyes every day, and not just because something bad has happened! Thanks so much, Cynthia!
Dear Kimberly,
Such a wonderful essay. You project happiness like a ray of sunshine. Kindness and gratitude are very special words and you are right; such gifts are not always recognized. I’m am with you standing outside viewing the sunrise.in Costa Rica. Thank you for sharing your wonderful words. The joys of life (even without the roosters!) is what we should be grateful for. And kindness is the result, which works both ways.
Someday I hope we get a chance to sit on my deck together, Simon!
Appreciate you, Dennis. Thank you for being such an important part of my “good life!”