the beauty of gratitude.

by Rachel Marie Martin

Joy is a posture of the heart.
Gratitude is a beautiful discipline that awakens our hearts to joy.
Step back, be grateful, and find joy.
Friday is my day set aside to remember the little moments
the gifts in life
and to record them.

These are my favorite things:

sunrises
which is a favorite moment of the day
to me, they’re a beautiful symbol of opportunities to come
This one was from one of the last days in Florida
on a day when I was a bit anxious.
As we were walking I looked up
and saw this beauty.
Slow down. Find joy.

Samuel
whom I missed dearly
{as well as my other amazing children}
wandering around in his Minnesota Twins t-shirt
and orange striped pj bottoms.
That little person brings a smile to my face.
Savor these days. 
These you only get them once moments of childhood.

mothers

the response to my article
{link below}
dear mom who feels like she wants to quit
has been overwhelming.
Moms really do matter
In all that we do
 in the mundane and the everyday and the outstanding.
Remember that today.

hugs
they are little pauses
breaks
in the midst of the busy of life
don’t rush through them
let your little one end the hug.

true friends
I consider it a blessing and a gift
to have spent the last week in Florida
with my dear friends
 Jenn, me, Jolanthe, and Jimmie
 as we ran the BEECH Retreat.
So much has come from it
{and much to share here}
but above all I am grateful for true 
I got your back
life friends who love me, support me, and push me to be better.

{photo credit Jen Reneryi}
and finally
sunsets
imagine this
that if it sunset you made it a habit
to be grateful for three things from your day
how would that change your life?
Gratitude and joy are choices.
Choose them.
And I know you will be blessed.

This is week 101 of Friday Favorite Things.
{follow me on instagram at finding_joy for more everyday favorites}
Write your own, grab the button, and link below.
Or feel free to share you moments of gratitude in the comments.
Slow down. Practice gratitude. Find joy.

friday favorite things | finding joy

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10 comments

Mary Prather February 8, 2013 - 12:19 pm

yes…. just beautiful. 🙂 Thank you for your hard work with BEECH — it blessed so many! I know your’re glad to be back home with those cute pj bottoms!

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Amy S February 8, 2013 - 1:31 pm

Rachel, what gorgeous photos! 😀 so glad you had such a great time at the BEECH retreat!

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Bi Ti February 8, 2013 - 5:07 pm

Thank you for the post.

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Rachael February 8, 2013 - 7:58 pm

How funny! My name is Rach(a)el Marie too! Beautiful post! I am reminded to stop and count the blessings of today that I have not yet recorded. Thank You!

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Crystal Roberts February 8, 2013 - 9:43 pm

“Joy is the posture of the heart” This is such a true statement. I lost my 9 year old daughter 3 1/2 months ago. For me finding joy takes extra effort, but I am able to find it. Most often it’s in the hugs of my little ones, who I hug until they let go :). Beautiful pictures! Love your blog!

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Laurie Collett February 8, 2013 - 10:16 pm

Thanks for the beautiful post & photos & for hosting, & God bless!

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cecylia February 9, 2013 - 12:16 am

what a heart warming and encouraging post- thank you for your thoughful words! xx

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Carol Sue Gershman February 9, 2013 - 6:42 pm

Thanks for the inspiration!

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Lynn February 10, 2013 - 7:00 am

Glad you’re back! Sunsets are such amazing gifts!
Continuing to pray!
1 Chronicles 16:8-11 Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works. Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD. Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.
My email address

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Lynn February 11, 2013 - 6:17 am

The Lord is with you, whatever happens. Praying!
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
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