Vistas via Gratitude
Today I am grateful for the extensive writing I have done over the last four decades. It has become a treasure to me. I am also grateful for the peace of silent snow falling.
Here is my post from six years ago today, February 7, 2014:
Vista caught my eye as I perused the "v" section of the dictionary. It is defined as 1) a distant view and 2) an extensive mental view.
1) Some of my favorite vistas include: the view of my community from the hill I come down each day from the north as I drive home from work, the hilly countryside of the farm I return to when visiting my family, and the sight of a marathon's finish line when it finally comes into view. Other amazing vistas that I have only been treated to once or a handful of times include places like: Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, Denali National Park and the glaciers of Prince William Sound in Alaska, and the Oregon Coast.
I am grateful to be able to travel to these places near and far, and I am grateful for my eyesight with which to enjoy these views.
2) Gratitude practice creates a healthier and more extensive mental view for me. Self-pity and fear close the horizon, narrow the view. They also zap energy. I lived in self-pity and fear for years. Gratitude widens the view and expands the horizon, offering more hope and more energy. I do my best to live in gratitude today. Just for today.
Two kinds of vistas. One result. A better view of the world.
I was struck by the fact that I rarely pick up an actual dictionary anymore. Instead I quickly go to my phone or computer for a definition or some synonyms/antonyms. It's one of the shifts that has happened because of technology. I used to think I was taking the easy way out. Now, I consider it more just a way to keep the flow going.
One ongoing result from my ongoing pursuit of gratefulness has definitely been a better view of the world, but just as importantly a better view of myself as well. It has made all the difference.
Here is my post from six years ago today, February 7, 2014:
Vista caught my eye as I perused the "v" section of the dictionary. It is defined as 1) a distant view and 2) an extensive mental view.
1) Some of my favorite vistas include: the view of my community from the hill I come down each day from the north as I drive home from work, the hilly countryside of the farm I return to when visiting my family, and the sight of a marathon's finish line when it finally comes into view. Other amazing vistas that I have only been treated to once or a handful of times include places like: Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, Denali National Park and the glaciers of Prince William Sound in Alaska, and the Oregon Coast.
I am grateful to be able to travel to these places near and far, and I am grateful for my eyesight with which to enjoy these views.
2) Gratitude practice creates a healthier and more extensive mental view for me. Self-pity and fear close the horizon, narrow the view. They also zap energy. I lived in self-pity and fear for years. Gratitude widens the view and expands the horizon, offering more hope and more energy. I do my best to live in gratitude today. Just for today.
Two kinds of vistas. One result. A better view of the world.
I was struck by the fact that I rarely pick up an actual dictionary anymore. Instead I quickly go to my phone or computer for a definition or some synonyms/antonyms. It's one of the shifts that has happened because of technology. I used to think I was taking the easy way out. Now, I consider it more just a way to keep the flow going.
One ongoing result from my ongoing pursuit of gratefulness has definitely been a better view of the world, but just as importantly a better view of myself as well. It has made all the difference.
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