There are many reasons to see gratitude every day. Unfortunately, so many of us are too wrapped up in the busyness of our lives.

We walk with our heads down.  In our minds we are on a mission to accomplish what we have set out to do.  Our bodies are lifting, pushing, walking, running, pivoting, and repeating.  We just can’t slow down.

It takes a deeper understanding that if you want to breathe more freely, we need to slow down.  If we want to enjoy our life, we have to seek out that which is beautiful.  And if we want to feel grateful?  All we have to do is to stand still and look around us. 

a large rock in a stream with smaller rocks beside it - the words Be Still Psalm 46 10

To See Gratitude Every Day You Need to Be Still

Psalms 46:10 tells us to ‘…Be still and know that I am God.’ These are some of the wisest words to me, and I found that by taking them to heart, my life becomes one of simple pleasures.

Being still means that not only can I breathe, but my entire body begins to relax.  My mind almost sounds like a huge machine groaning to a slow halt.  My heart becomes a little lighter, and my very soul feels refreshed.

Walking may not be considered ‘being still’, but although there is movement in the process, there is also a stillness that takes over.

Take a Walk with Me

Are you ready to be still for a moment?  Then take a walk with me around the farm through photos.  Let me show you all the ways I get to see gratitude every day. 

And once our walk is complete, then step outside and take a walk around your own home, neighborhood, town, or community. 

Just so you don’t forget one moment of it, take photos of each and everything for which you are grateful.  Create your own photo collage so you can remember them all when times get tough.

Are you ready for a Gratitude journey?  Then let’s start right here.

I See Gratitude Every Day in….

a hoop style greenhouse

The hope a greenhouse brings through growing your own food

Seedlings make me grateful for the promises they bring

trays of seedlings

a lush vegetable garden

the joy of working in a garden…

and watching new life appear.

a new squash plant ready to grow

I See Gratitude Every Day when…

a close up of a cow's face and eye

I know I am being watched out for…

the animals watch out for each other, even if it means babysitting…

a new calf being introduced to the herd

a calf watching out for a mama and baby taking a nap

and they always watch each other’s back…

even if it means they can get a bit nosey

the nose of a curious cow

I see Gratitude Every Day with…

an orange, green and brown feathered banty rooster

the uniqueness of every chicken – the bold …

the beautiful…

a beautiful white chicken with a black ruff and red circling the eye

a polish crown chicken with gold and black feathers

and the wild child…

and the group therapy they provide…

a group of colorful chickens sitting on a stoop

a woman holding a chicken

it all says ‘Love’ to me

I See Gratitude Everyday in…

beans, cucumbers and squash ready to be canned

the abundance the farm provides. Through vegetables…

colorful eggs…

a nest of colorful fresh eggs

a man milking a cow

plenty of fresh milk…

even if it means being attacked by an army of jam…

rows of jam with googly eyes on them

I See Gratitude Every Day through…

a group of women who make up The Farm Women Exchange Group

friends who gather close…

who are there whenever I need advice…

an older woman getting her nails done

an older man visiting at a restaurant table

who can solve all the world’s problems (or at least, thinks they can)…

who have loved me all of my life (thank you, Dot & Emily)…

two women and a baby in a wheelbarrow that is held by another woman

two beekeepers examining a hive

who are willing mentors

and have taught me much and is willing to love and teach my grandchildren (thank you, Mom!)

an old woman holding and teaching a small child

Annie Lewellyn of 15 Acre Homestead

and friends who are there through thick, thin, laughter and tears (Annie, I just cannot thank you enough, or love you more!)

I See Gratitude in the Simplest Things…

a bright pink geranium

the beauty in flowers…

the smell of fresh-dried linens…

vintage table cloths on a clothesline

a country table with a blue and white tablecloth and red geranium centerpiece

a simple country table…

willing help…

a young girl on a tractor

a cow standing in a field

cows who love to talk to me…

a place to Be Still…

a sepia print of a park bench

a tree with a section that looks like a possum

and to let my imagination flow…

for the Bossy cows (thank you for all the joy you brought)…

a jersey cow

a cat napping on a bench

and knowing that taking a nap is okay…

for the music…

a young man playing a ukelele while his dog listens

a sheep peaking around a shed

for watchful neighbors

and when those neighbors show up to mow the lawn…

sheep grazing in a pasture

I See Gratitude Every Day…

a weaving loom warped for a blanket

knowing there is love, joy and gratitude woven into every day….

and a loving Heavenly Father who provided it all.

an open Bible

See Gratitude Every Day

Take a moment each and every day to see the beauty around you. Learn to count your blessings, embrace the moment, celebrate the joys, and be challenged by the trials.

See Gratitude Every Day. I promise. You won’t want to miss even the smallest thing.

Julie Murphree is a blogger, newspaper columnist, and speaker on all things ‘Living a Simple Life on the Farm’. She is the author of \\\'The Farm Wife – Living a Simple Life on the Farm. She and her husband have 60 acres in NW Louisiana where they actively work on living as sustainable as possible.

6 Comments

  1. Thank you so much for this!! I look forward to your emails. I believe I am living vicariously thru you, for now any way. I am retiring in 5 years and plan to do more gardening and preserving. It can be difficult working 32 hours a week at my town job to do the things I would like to do, but I plug away because my farmer husband needs our insurance. One of these days! But until then, I will enjoy your journey. Thanks again!!

    1. Thank you, Darby! I understand the pressures of having to work outside the home. I did it for many years. But it sounds like you are already well on your way to a Simple Life. And ‘one of these days’ will
      be here before you know it! Hang in there!

  2. I will admit that most times I do not read these posts you have listed close to the bottom. In my mind I am just too busy. Today, this one caught my eye and I felt I just needed to read it. What a lovely post! It slowed me down and made me laugh and smile and just plain feel good. Thank you! It was just what I needed. Time for me to stop feeling like I am just so busy I need to move on. It’s time for me to slow down and connect with others. Thanks for all the hard work and time you put into this blog and all the information. It is very much appreciated~

    1. Hi, Darlene! I am so glad to know this post brought smiles and laughter! You are more than welcome. And if it helps, I have to re-read this very post myself from time to time, as life seems to just take over. And as for the work entailed in the blog, yep – it can be tough some days. But folks like you make it all worthwhile! Thank you for your kind words!

  3. Probably the most rewarding blog I have read in a long, long time. So many struggles this year, but so many blessings if you just know where to look for them. You have made a difference in our lives and we thank you! Happy Thanksgiving to you, your family, and your critters.

    1. Marcia – thank you so much! That is the kindest comment!!! I am so glad you have enjoyed reading The Farm Wife. You are right, the struggles have been tough, but the blessings are abundant. And I count you and my readers as one of my biggest, most abundant blessings! We all wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving as well!!!!

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