Little Corella

On a peachy day in Port Stephens, I pulled up at traffic lights to hear a crunching sound coming from above.

I looked up to see about 40 of these Little Corellas, sitting on branches and powerlines, each with a pine cone in their clutches. They looked like excited kids with ice creams. I couldn't help but smile and laugh as I watched them, in all their gratitude and celebration, having the time of their lives.

They made me want to hold some tasty food in my hand and smile and celebrate how delicious life can be. They reminded me of the power of practicing gratitude, as a tool for celebrating life. For after all, nature provides us so much each day. We must remember to be thankful.

I've found gratitude is more than just stating what I'm grateful for. It is practiced throughout the day, and involves attention, intention and action.

Attention is given to nature’s gifts that sustain me - the air in my lungs, and the plants that provide it, the water I drink, the food I eat, the people who serve my needs. Attention is a generous gesture that doesn't need words.

Intention is set by promising to consider and care for nature, and other people, as I go about my day. Action is shown by picking up the next piece of rubbish I see, or smiling at the next person who walks past. Gratitude becomes a bridge which connects me to the world around me in the most beautiful way.

So thank you, Little Corellas, for showing us that when we ground ourselves in gratitude, life becomes a whole lot easier to celebrate. 

Do you partake in the daily practice of gratitude? Do you feel like you rush from one thing to the next, and forget to revel in the simple marvels of existence? Could giving attention to one thing at a time, foster more appreciation for daily life?