We’re back with regular Nourished Life Gratitude Lists in 2016! I love the intention and mindfulness that this practice brings to my life, and the realisation of extraordinary things in ordinary days that it reveals. If you have time, just a little, at the end of the day I encourage you to write down your own gratitude lists. When you come to the end of the year, or when you are having a difficult moment, reading back over all things that bring you joy and gratitude is a balm to the soul that though our lives are finite, the capacity for happiness is not.
I started the new year at work with a lunch date with my favourite co-worker/partner in crime. We talked about the light, the ridiculous, and the deep. Even though work isn’t always my favourite place to be, I am grateful to have Jess and our lunch dates to lighten my days.
I’m on a non-fiction reading bender at the moment and Bill Bryson is great for people (like me) who love books filled with interesting morsels of information. At the moment my reading routine is this: go to bed an hour before I plan to go to sleep, hog all the covers to myself and turn the air-conditioning down to low and snuggle with my chosen tome. I’m grateful that I can take this time at the end of every day to soak in some information or escape to worlds far from home. 
On Saturday night Chris and I joined our friends Caroline and Tim for a night out at a local Korean BBQ restaurant down the road from our house. While their vegetarian pickings were slim, it was a great night out filled with laughter and conversation. The owner of the establishment was also very lovely and interested in whether we were having a good time. We shall certainly return. I was grateful for a foodie adventure in my own backyard (literally 1km from my backyard) and for a great catch up with friends.
On Friday night Chris and I had a date with my Mum! I am grateful for the return of our three-people movie dates; we always have such a great time (and Mum always buys the popcorn – thanks Mum!). We saw Star Wars (again for us, first time for Mum) and I was struck again by how much I really enjoyed this movie. I can’t wait for the next installment! (Mum, you totally have two movie dates for Episode VIII)
I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about running lately, and doing a lot of running too, and thinking about how I exercise and treat my body. I love working out, and at the end of last year I thought that my love of running necessitated participating in races again. To prove that I was a ‘real’ runner. I drew up my comprehensive training plan including time and pace goals etc and stuck it on the fridge. The first few weeks went well. But then, I knew my heart just wasn’t in it. I love racing, and I’m sure I’ll get back into it some day. But for now I crave a little more flexibility in my workouts. I want to explore the hiking trails in the state forest around my home. I want to attend some pilates classes, find a local yoga practice, and get into more strength training. I will always run, nearly every day in fact, but I don’t want to lose the love I have for it in the muck and mire of a training plan. I’m grateful for all that running has brought to me, and I want to keep that love alive.
Tell me friends, what are you grateful for this week? Are you starting a 2016 gratitude practice?