What a wonderful day. It’s been simply lovely, and full of joy!

I love Saturdays. They are my favorite day to relax, and kick my feet up. While today wasn’t exactly “relaxing” since I ran a 5K and hiked six miles at a park, it was just what my heart needed. My mind is clear, and I’m very excited to start the week tomorrow.

October is almost over, and I’m trying to soak in every last moment of it. Today, I was nearly in awe at the beauty at Cloudland Canyon State Park. The leaves were definitely stealing the show! As were the gorgeous rock formations and streams. We checked a new trail off of our list since we hiked Sitton’s Gulch Trail, which is always fun. I love to explore new trails!

I was mindful as I walked. I took in the trees, birds, and water. I touched rocks as we walked along, noticing how cool they felt on my palm. My son calls boulders “earth giants,” and these definitely fit the description.

Later, it started to rain. I thought about how the water that now touched my skin was just high in the air. This life truly is amazing.

I’ve become almost child-like at my wonder of the world. The adult in me sometimes finds this to be embarrassing, but how misguided these thoughts are. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if everyone shared a child-like wonder, and appreciated all that the earth had to give?

During these moments of wonderment, I thought that I might begin a series in November about gratitude, and share pieces of my own gratitude journal. This seems like a nice way to welcome November after we tell October goodbye.

Oh October, how I’ve loved you. I will miss you when you’re gone. But I know November will be awfully nice, too.

As women, I think we truly feel our emotions more than men do. This is a blessing to be sure. We feel it in our bones when we’re grateful. It can permeate everything we touch, which can make a huge impact on our world.

That being said, I’m definitely looking forward to spending my November contemplating gratitude along with other fall-ish things with you.