“The eyes of my eyes are opened.”  E.E. Cummings

I love Sarah’s words for today.  If your gratitude journal contains entries like Sarah’s here:  daisies in a jelly jar, the smell of her daughter’s hair … how could financial lack maintain its vice grip on your spirit and your life?  Isn’t it beautiful to realize that our inner happiness and joy need not be controlled by things we cannot control?

As I sit here in my art studio, I hear the birds singing their beautiful song outside my window.  They’ve been singing to me for an hour now, since 5 am!  Do you ever wonder how birds rise so early with so much joy that they simply must sing with delight?

How do you rise in the morning?  I have to admit, I am not innately a morning person.  Until recently, if I had to rise before 8:00, I did not rise cheerfully.  But I have learned what a difference you can make in your day if you rise with a cheerful spirit, regardless of the discomfort of the hour.  It makes me a different person, and I am sure my husband appreciates the change.  Today, with my gratitude journal in mind, the first thought in my head before my feet hit the floor were, “Lord, thank you for another beautiful day.”  Regardless of what the day has in store for me, I know that the experience will be so much better by making this one simple change!

How do you start your day?  Has it changed since reading Sarah’s book and sharing this blog with your sisters?  How have the changes you’ve made impacted your life?  Inspire us all by sharing with us!

Shalom!