Practicing Gratitude by Darlene Beck Jacobson

 Every morning, weather permitting, I begin the day taking a walk around the schoolyard walking path across the street from my neighborhood. Before the noise and rush of the day begins, I take in my surroundings, talk to God and count my blessings.

It is a perfect way for me to practice gratitude. It is also a way for the writer in me to pay attention. There have been many times when I am stuck and can't move forward in a story. So out I go on a walk. It not only clears my head, it opens my eyes and the rest of my senses to possibilities.

Paying attention to what is in my path can open up a whole new world of gratitude, writer's style.

On a walk I took this morning, I discovered these amazing mushroom flowers.

Isn't this a perfect opening for a story? Who would grow mushroom flowers? What kind of creature lives under the umbrella of them? Is this the hidden opening to Wonderland and maybe I should wait here for the Rabbit or Alice to make their appearance.

Take a walk and be grateful for curiosity and imagination.