This week I started a new meditation practice. I take a few moments to quiet my mind with deep breathing exercises. Once my mind is clear, I begin to focus on a single word. Gratitude. As I continue to breathe, I draw on the word with each breath in and as I exhale slowly I release from my mind something for which I feel grateful. I try to just let that something spring forth from a clear and genuine place, sending my gratitude out into the world as a positive force.
As the recovery from my foot surgery winds down, I am working to reestablish and maintain my focus on the mind-body connection for good health. This has been hard to do when I've been tired and sore and frustrated from the rigors of healing. But as the weeks have passed and the fog of pain meds have cleared and the daily aches have faded, I feel a renewed energy to focus on mindful exercise, healthy eating, relaxation, writing, meditation, and above all gratitude, which is a balm for the spirit.
So in this moment of gratitude, I am thankful for zucchini muffins. The family really loves them, and I froze several bags of grated zucchini from the garden this summer for the purpose of making them this winter. I have not been able to cook much in the last ten weeks, but tonight I made a batch of zucchini muffins, with the boys at the counter keeping me company, and it felt so good and natural. For the next couple days, I am going to mindful of each bite that nourishes us all.
