The Little Things No. 7

The little things really do add up, which is why every Friday I want to end the week on a positive note with appreciation for the little things in my life that make up a greater sense of joy.  I hope you join me today in appreciating the good, no matter how small.

Happy Friday, my friends. If you’re at home today I’m so amazed by you and our community’s effort to keep our world safe! There is so much to be thankful for this week, and most of it is not tangible. You might know that besides blogging and being a wedding photographer, I also work part-time at a law firm. We shut down this week, but I’m feeling so much gratitude. I’m still going in every day to get the mail, scan important documents to the attorneys at home, sanitize the doors and surfaces, and other administrative tasks before going home early. Being one of the only people there has been vital for keeping everyone at home safe and also connected to the office and their clients. I’m doing my best to go absolutely no where else and washing and sanitizing every time I have to. I was worried about what this might mean for me financially, but my boss has been so generous and is keeping me on the payroll for my full hours. I truly am blessed and so thankful for my wonderful work family! That is the first thing I am thankful for today.

Today I am also thankful for the kind people who are lifting up their communities, sharing their supplies, and donating to those in need. We have never seen the world practically shut down globally before like this, at least not in our lifetime. It can feel surreal or even scary for some people. Compassion is the key. I also read an amazing story this morning about a local distillery, Litchfield Distillery, that is using their own supplies to make hand sanitizer, bottle it, and donate it to locals for free to keep the virus from spreading. A crisis can bring out the worst in some people, but for the majority I truly believe that it brings out the best.

Other small things I am grateful for this week:

Hugs from my husband. I know he is really worried for other people and what this could mean for the elders in our lives and the people who are struggling financially. Focusing on the moment and caring about one another has helped.

The very first day of Spring.

The first sign of spring: The daffodils are starting to pop up. They’re one of my favorite spring flowers. If you’re stuck at home, you don’t have to keep indoors, you can always go for a walk in nature.

Our cat Madeleine.

All week long she has been popping up in the most random places; laundry baskets, duffel bags, and hidden places around our tiny apartment. Usually you can find her on the sofa, on the bed, or the window sill but every day this week she has been finding a new place. She has been making us laugh all week with the places she manages to find.

The start of my spring wardrobe challenge.

I did it! I prepared and started the challenge. Let’s see if I can keep it up. It is only day two today and it has been rainy, so not the best start. All of a sudden the weather has gotten colder so I’ll be layering for a while. Still, preparing for the challenge has shown me just how fortunate I really am. I came a long way from my younger struggles to being able to afford clothes, especially a warm coat and new socks during the winter months.

What are you grateful for today? I know at times it can be more difficult than others to focus on the positives. Take the time you need, slow down, and you will notice all the wonderful things right in front of you. Have a lovely day.