High Country Gems and Minerals is a fantastic little gem (see what I did there?) of a shop in Downtown Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Each trip to Glenwood Springs I make sure to stop in and I never leave empty handed. The hospitable staff always encourage taking a “gratitude stone” before leaving. There is a big cauldron type basin of stones to choose from. The idea is to put it in your pocket (or wherever) and every time you find it you are reminded of all that you have to be grateful for.
Well, today I am back to work and the real world and I just found my gratitude stone in my purse. Being home from vacation is damn difficult, but I am choosing to recognize all that I have to be grateful for.
I am grateful to have many places to call home.
I am grateful for lasting connections to people.
I am grateful for the power of choice.
I am grateful for the means with which to make vacations possible: paid time off at work, family to care for my dogs and house, and varying types of transportation.
I am grateful for quiet moments of reflection.
I am grateful for good books.
And I am grateful for my bed.
Being a big kid is tough and daunting, but I have to remind myself that if I have made it this far then I can certainly make it farther. That is made possible by being grateful for what I have and learning to appreciate the way life happens.
The following website was particularly relevant today.
Here’s to spirits of gratitude.
