Turning the mind

Taken from a cell phone...doesn't do it justice.

Despite a few glitches, here and there, today was a good day.  I had the opportinuty to spend time with a few of my favorite people, all of which occurred over tea--and not at the same time (Jen you lucked out...I couldn't find my cable--or you would have been the subject of my photo today!).

I also had the opportunity to spend some time outside this afternoon.  There was a significant build-up of ice at the bottom of the driveway and along the walkway that needed to be removed, and with the weather as is was today, I went to work on it.

Truthfully, there were moments where as my back started to ache and I could feel the blisters starting on my hands from the pick ax, I was not willingly doing the work.  In fact, there were points that I was rather willful.  I found myself becoming frustrated with the fact that I was outside alone doing the work, when at one point I was told there would be assistance,.  However, before spiraling too fair down into the negativity, I caught myself.  In that moment, I asked for the ability to find it in myself to be grateful--especially for the fact that I was able to do the work.  As I looked up from the ground where my focus had been for sometime, I saw this image.  The rays of the last hour of sun light streaming down and illuminating the flag that hangs on the porch.  I noticed the golden rays receding from the sky and darkness slowly settling in.  And the flag, there as a reminder of the freedoms we all enjoy and so often take for granted.  In that moment I knew that I had gotten what I asked for.