It’s such a beautiful day in sunny Southern California that you would think it is May instead of almost mid November. One of my favorite seasons is Fall, and while I would love to see more of those overcast cool days and more Autumn leaves, I can’t help but smile when the air is cool outside and the sun is shining bright, it’s like a reminder that I should take a moment and smile at life.

And while I should be studying for class right now, either reading up on the Protestant Ethic and The Spirit of Capitalism, or reviewing for my exam and making sure I know everything there is to know about Domhoff’s view on the upper class and their power and influence over politics and government, I just couldn’t pass up this opportunity to write, especially since I haven’t been able to for a few weeks now.

As I was putting some clothes in the dryer I kept going over in my mind all the things I wanted to share, and there’s so much that it doesn’t all quite fall under one nice title, except to say that every thought that came up in my mind made me smile and think about how immensely grateful I am to God for all our blessings.

I think a big part of why I feel so great is because I was able to go for a run this morning. The toughest part for me has to be stepping out of the warmth of our home, and often times it’s sheer will power (combined with a very strong desire to fit back into my pre-baby clothes) that gets my body moving out that door. Because I have to be back and showered before our daughter wakes up, I’m usually out the door by 5:45am, and let me tell you, it is cold outside at that hour! But then the good thoughts come, like how much I enjoy that time of day because no one is up yet, it’s so quiet and still outside, and as I begin my powerwalk to warm up, I take a deep breath and then think, thank God that I have long hair to keep my neck and ears warm. And when I’m done and walking back home I feel so proud of myself for what I’ve accomplished, it’s a really great feeling to have first thing in the morning.

And so I’ve been sort of riding this wave of positive endorphins today, because as silly or cheesy as this may sound, my morning has been filled with things that might be mundane to others, but that I’ve done with a great sense of gratefulness. From picking up around the house, to getting some laundry going, and even vacuuming…things that would normally make me sigh or whine and complain, today I’ve been doing with a little girl smile on my face.

I guess when it comes down to it, I don’t need to list everything that came to mind this morning, because when I sum it all up I’m grateful for life, for every moment that I get to enjoy and live because God put me here on this earth and has given me the opportunity to live, experience, and enjoy.