Contractors came to install a fan in my bathroom and a handle on my sliding glass door. I was glad to see them and they worked hard, but it was loud and took all day.
While they worked, I looked through bills, which can be a bummer. I made a list of things that still needed to be repaired in the house, and that list was long. Another negative.
Thinking about these things was putting me in a “no” frame of mind, when there were all these “yes” blessings going on around me, being hammered into the ceiling, being drilled into the door. Permeating the house with every thud and clunk. Professionals are sculpting yes into the house. Into the bathroom ceiling. They’re sliding yes with the door closing.
The cat is snoring yes from his indestructible yurt made of a faded blanket covering a rocking chair.
The coffee is steaming yes from its home deep in my striped-tiger-colored coffee mug.
The birds are chirping yes outside from their perch on the cherry blossom tree in front of my bedroom window.
I thought of the no that those birds have built another nest in my front porch light, but re-grouped to get back to the yes. What effort it must have taken to get that nest set, even after I’ve taken out those little branches time and time again. It really is prime real estate. They’re trying to find the right spot for their little winged family, and I have to appreciate that they know how nice this neighborhood is. I’ll take it as a compliment that they want to sub-let my front porch light.
Yes exists inside of every no.
Opportunity is the kernel at the center of every problem.
Talking about troubles is like putting out a restraining order on things you don’t want in your life. It’s just force of habit to focus on the “no” when “yes” abounds all around you.
Grace is just a breath away. All it takes is a fresh set of eyes, a soul ready to receive blessings, and a wide-open heart.
praypower4today 
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May 1, 2017 at 3:02 pm
calensariel
Your post made me smile. It explains so well the whole attitude of gratitude. I had a BIG no with my clothes dryer this past week. It was taking me two hours to dry a load of clothes. Then I had a thought about a noise I’d heard coming from the dryer vent, and on a hunch we took the vent apart and found a bird’s nest about 4′ long in it. It was trapping all the air in and not letting stuff dry. Could have even caused a fire. We took the nest out and I felt bad for a while — a real “NO” resounding through my heart after all the hard work that mama had put into that nest. But then I realized had she laid the eggs in there the heat might have cooked those baby birds. So in the end I was grinning saying “YES!” We saved them! She might be unhappy now,, but it was for her own good. 🙂
May 1, 2017 at 5:07 pm
rhcwilliams
That’s so true, Lady Calen – you saved those baby birds for sure. It amazes me how birds create such perfectly circular nests when all they have are those tiny little talons to work with. I guess it’s the determination of the mama bird! Wins out every time! 🙂
May 1, 2017 at 3:18 pm
loristrawn
“Talking about troubles is like putting out a restraining order on things you don’t want in your life. It’s just force of habit to focus on the “no” when “yes” abounds all around you.
Grace is just a breath away. All it takes is a fresh set of eyes, a soul ready to receive blessings, and a wide-open heart.”
This is so beautiful, Ruth. And something I needed so badly to hear. Really, I ought to have it tattooed on my person somewhere!
May 1, 2017 at 5:08 pm
rhcwilliams
You are so good to me, dear Lori! I count you as an Absolute Yes in my life. Thank you for your encouragement, my friend!!