I have love photography ever since my grandpa got me a camera when I was about 7 years old. I took pictures of everything. I still look at life as though through the lense of a camera. I see good and beauty all around me.
I have been trying to do a gratitude journal for years. It has never stuck. I just can't seem to find the right words. I know the journal is just for me, but when I get stuck, it makes it difficult to keep going. It makes what I feel grateful for, a little less.
A few days ago, I was sitting on my couch, drinking tea, waiting for my kids to get out of class. You see, they are online and I can't do anything while they are in school. I know that seems crazy, but our bandwidth does not allow me to work on my computer or use any sort of electronic or else they get kicked out of their classes. I would like to be clear though, I'm extremely grateful for the new online program that the district implemented. It gives the students so much more time with their teachers. That being said, I fill my time with things that do not require bandwidth. Every so often, I get a little break and can sit and drink my tea. As my tea was sitting on the table, I noticed the steam coming from it. It was beautiful. I was memorized by it. I knew I needed to try to capture the beauty. I took about 20 pictures, none of them doing it justice. I then thought about how grateful I was to be able to see the beauty, even if the picture looked like nothing. It was a feeling. When I looked at the pictures, even though they didn't do the steam from that tea justice, I still had that feeling of gratitude for the time I could sit and drink the tea-for being able to witness the beauty in the moment.
It was then that I thought, why does a gratitude "journal" have to be in words? The answer is, it doesn't. I have started a gratitude photo gallery, so to speak, on Instagram. I don't feel like I need to post things every day, but I most likely will for a bit of time at least. I'm doing it for me, but maybe it will inspire others to see the beauty in the everyday things. Maybe it will inspire others to be grateful for the little things. If you feel like heading on this journey with me, you can follow me on Instagram.