Small Mercies and Silver Linings

Have you ever noticed how fantastic "normal" feels after you've been feeling sick?

We're usually not too bad at recognizing the great blessings in our lives (loving partners, children and grandchildren, friends to laugh with)... but how come we don't wake up every morning full of appreciation for those small blessings that surround us all the time? Sunshine streaming in through a kitchen window, a friendly nudge from a well-loved kitty, clean water pouring forth from the faucets (cold... and HOT! imagine that!).

What if we could "turn the storm clouds inside out" and find our silver linings in the small mercies of life? Instead of looking in dismay at the chaos of my sewing room, filled to overflowing with quilting projects in progress, I will contemplate the blessings of having so many ideas, so many materials available, so many people to love and celebrate through quilting. I will enjoy every stitch and infuse each project with joy, with love, with satisfaction and with appreciation for all the small (and great) mercies that brought me to this moment.