Days 2, 3, 4, 5: Lessons in the small stuff

Day 2 reminded me that I find joy in clearing my to do piles at work. In that I found happiness today. Simple stuff, but worked for me in my search for gratitude.

Day 3 I nearly skipped while walking the dogs. The greens were amazing. So for all the rain, the result was pure brilliance. I'll take the bitter with the sweet along my path.

Day 4 reminded me that even when I feel fragile as a parent, there are other parents feeling the same thing. What I thought was going to be a hassle of calling all the parents who did not RSVP for their kid coming to Nate's b-day party was actually a gift - a reminder that other parents sometimes miss the little details, that other spouses/partners don't always communicate things like kids' activity schedules and that the black hole of Nate's backpack seems to have other locations as well. I found gratitude in the reminders to lighten up on parenthood.

Day 5 Laughed with YMCA kids making "ants on a log" (celery, raisins and cream cheese). Little kids make ya smile. I need to hang out with the little guys more.

May 1, Day 1: 100 days of peace

It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.

These simple thoughts started me on the idea of a 100 days of peace. Intellectual, spiritual, physical peace... although world peace would not be too bad either.

I had lofty intentions to spend the day focused on gratitude. Reality? Not so much.

The day started with weariness from all the travel and unfulfilled expectations; I'm afraid I let a bunch of people down at NAYDO by not getting to spend much time with them.

I was even tempted to say, "I'll start tomorrow." As I lashed out a few times at the little aggravations of parenthood, I thought, "Perhaps this is not such a good idea."

But here it is day one and for all the challenges, I am going to chose to end the day at peace with myself. I'm going to choose the little things and "count them" as steps on my new peace pathway.

I'll save the big things of peace for another day. Today I count five actions as honest moments of peace.

* I apologized sincerely to the kids when I spoke out in anger.
* I tidied up the house, not looking for praise but rather because if brought me calm at the end of the day.
* I walked both dogs and enjoyed the brilliant greens of spring.
* Two loads of laundry...not very exciting to most, but the chore brought me a sense of order.
* I took the kids for Puccini's and Orange Leaf and just relaxed.

Small moments of gratitude for the blessings in my life. I will embrace them.

Oh, and I just heard on the late news...Bin Laden is dead. I still pray that maybe peace in the world is possible afterall.