Upward Spirals

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“The morning whispers hope, the afternoon sings of possibilities, and the evening reminds us to cherish the moments. Embrace each part of the day with gratitude.” – unknown

This was originally published on 8/17/2022. Heads up – you may have already read this.

As I was writing my post last week, Good Mood of the Soul, I came across the research that joy and gratitude often result in an upward spiral. The more we focus on gratitude, the easier it is to perceive joy. And when in the midst of joy, we are more open to gratitude.

So here’s the list of things I’m grateful for this week:

For everyone that is willing to read what I am grateful for

That I can still hear the Click and Clack, the Car Talk brothers in the Cars movies.

The quiet way my three-year-old son says, “you are my best mom friend” to me so that I have to lean down to hear. In that position it goes directly from my ear to my heart.

That we have the ability to take pictures with our hearts.

The way it sounds when my seven-year-old daughter says, “I’m thankful for the tooth fairy.” while missing her two front teeth.

For out-of-the blue notes from individuals I admire telling me something I’ve done right.

That I’ve been able to learn, to some degree, how to fix the things that I’ve done wrong.

That broken eggs make food, literal and metaphorical.

For whoever invented yoga pants and made messy hair look sexy, at least on the West Coast. And if that was only in the 90’s and is no longer a thing, for anyone that continues to let me think that.

Speaking of inventions, whoever invented self-sealing water balloons that fill 20 at a time.

That life keeps giving me opportunities to learn that suffering just softens me up for the next great thing.

For every grown-up that showed me what vulnerability looked like when I was a kid.

For every grown-up that shows me what vulnerability is when I’m a grown-up.

For this necklace I bought on a whim and have worn for 20 years that says, “Strength is having a grateful life” and that I have grown into knowing what that means.

Cool sheets on a hot night.

That I have a bed to sleep in.

Green tea on dark mornings.

That connect-the-dots works in art and in life.

For the human traits of kindness, courage and generosity.

For the Divine traits of grace, faith, hope and love.

For the times I’ve been on my knees needing loyalty, courage, generosity, grace, faith, hope and love – and that what I’ve received in those moments has opened me up to knowing what those traits are in my bones.

I am grateful for upward spirals.

What are you grateful for this week? What have you learned about upward spirals?

60 thoughts on “Upward Spirals”

  1. As to gratitude and something that will give me a lift, I am having a Zoom meeting with two bright, charming, talented, and beautiful women today. Their names are…

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  2. “Upward spirals” – such a lovely way of seeing things. The sun is shining here this morning with temperatures promising to rise. That’s a good start I’d say.

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  3. “That we have the ability to take pictures with our hearts.” . . . a gratitude I’d never thought of . . . and they’re pictures that never fade. Thanks Wynne.

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  5. I love the idea of a upward gratitude spiral. I think I’m caught in one those lately. ❤️ No complaints!

    I love all of your examples, Wynne, especially the loving words from your kids and the yoga pants and messy hair.

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  6. It seems to me, Wynne that the more you look for things to be grateful for, the more you find; the more you find, the easier it is to look. Perhaps this is another part of the spiral… or helix – depending on the mathematical model.

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    2. I love this! It’s like being amazed at the synchronicity of life, and then seeing it all around!

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  8. Your post is so moving Wynne. Gratitude fills my heart for words and thoughts that come at exactly the right time, like yours right now. And I am grateful for so many many things. All the simple joys and the many blessings bestowed upon me. It’s also a gorgeous sunshiny day here. No coats required. That in itself is uplifting. Hope it’s lovely where you are too! 💕

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    1. Words and thoughts that comes at exactly the right time – that’s so good, Alegria! And sunshiny days too. Yes, it’s a lovely day here too and that’s always wonderful!

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  9. I love the unknown quote! Grateful that you shared that! I’m grateful that although my eyesight and hearing are not what they used to be, God has given man knowledge to make eyeglasses and hearing aids so I can continue to see and hear my grandchildren.

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  11. You’ve made a great list of items to be grateful for — and I think making such a list is an exercise that can lift our hearts. I’m grateful for my daughters being home for spring break — one daughter a week, for two weeks in a row. They bring sunshine into the house 🙂

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  12. I’m grateful that my son asked me to take him to get an enhanced driver’s license because I’ve been meaning to get one for the past few years. And after getting one today I not only discovered I could get one that lasts a whopping eight years but my driver’s license was up for renewal this year (that I hadn’t realized yet because my birthday isn’t until the fall). Win- win!!

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  14. I love how you list so many sweet small things that might get forgotten! It isn’t just big stuff, it’s all the details that make our lives magnificent, those are all the things to be grateful for, and I am!

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  15. This post is so good, Wynne. It touched my heart. Like Victoria said, the line about the whispers going from ear to the heart was sweet and so true. It brought back a lot of memories.

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  16. I agree 100% about the connection between thankfulness and the upward spiral of joy and positivity! My wife and I regularly practice this together where we ping pong back and forth reciting things we’re thankful for (@ least once or twice a week). I am thankful for the blessing of being self employed, health, that generally speaking, I get good nights sleep 95% of the time (due in large measure because I am physically spent), that my wife has learned how to make home made bread and loves it. (she has not been interested all of our married life until just the past few months), that I have had the opportunity to teach some gardening classes to a dozen eager people who want to learn, our two recent trips to Kansas City are in the bag, that I have 4 people coming to learn about grafting on Saturday, I could keep going… blessings on you Wynne. DM

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    1. Thank you for sharing your list, DM. Isn’t it amazing how just reading someone else’s list provides lift? And your practice of ping ponging back and forth with your wife? So good! The one I really like from your list is the good night’s sleep. So foundational and yet elusive sometimes. Having young kids makes me spent enough to sleep well too! Blessings to you, DM!

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  17. I love that visual of an upward spiral. It’s so true that gratitude can life us up and, when practised regularly, changes our whole outlook on life. This week, I’m grateful for all the signs that spring might be coming: crocuses and snowdrops, warm sunshine, robins and red-winged blackbirds. Thanks Wynne!

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  18. Upward spirals and the image of the conch shell do vividly capture those feelings of gratitude and joy indeed.

    Your kids are adorable and I myself often want with my T to bottle these precious moments up forever too.

    I can’t remember if I zeroed in on the broken eggs comment the last time you posted this but it’s a wonderful thought and metaphor for the moments that break us in life.

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    1. I love that you write down so many of the precious moments and things T says. I think it helps to preserve them, doesn’t it? And broken eggs…yes! Thank you, Ab!

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  19. “Strength is having a grateful life”  That is soooo true. I am grateful for many things, maybe all things in the sense that they teach me? As long as I can keep viewing life as an upward spiral I’ll be doing better than okay.

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    1. “As long as I can keep viewing life as an upward spiral I’ll be doing better than okay.” That is such a cool sentence, Ally.

      The funny thing about that necklace is that I bought it at 30-something without a real clue what it meant, not with any depth at least. And then I’ve worn it most days since until I finally understand. So I’m really glad that I’ve lived long enough to get a clue… 🙂 ❤

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  21. What a delightful list, Wynne! So enjoyed reading it. I started a daily gratitude journal in 2017 in order to “unwrap the ordinary by staying with it long enough to harvest its treasure” (Macrina Wiederkehr). I’m so glad I did! Gratitude is indeed a powerful strategy to uplift the spirit. One entry from this week: “Thankful for an unseasonably warm day. Able to sit on the deck in the afternoon, enjoying sunshine, a soft breeze, and birdsong!”

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  24. What a beautiful gratitude list, Wynne! I especially love the line “directly from my ear to my heart”, those moments are so precious 💞💞💞

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