For four years now (maybe more?), I’ve kept a gratitude journal and every night I write down three things I’m grateful for. Some days I struggle to find something and end up being grateful for something really obvious like the bed I’m sitting in. Other days are filled with small miracles and I’m thankful for a rainbow, a beautiful sunrise, or the sound of the wind through the pines on my back deck.
During this pandemic it has been easy to be thankful for my health (knock wood), a steady job (when so many don’t have one), and the acts of kindness from others. This morning as I eagerly opened Instagram to check on my bunny family (and you are like family to me!), I realized just how grateful I am for our Instabun community.
From seeing pictures of your buns and their funny faces to watching binkies and zoomies, I am always assured of walking away with a smile and a warm feeling in my heart. I get to see your hoomin family members celebrating birthdays, graduations, and the birth of new small furless hoomins. I am even grateful that I get to mourn with you during your losses, as only a bunny owner can truly appreciate the heartbreak when our little balls of attitude leave us behind. These smiles, laughs, and shared tears are a part of my day and have been even more important during this pandemic when every moment counts.
How to Connect with Others
For those of you who are new to the community or perhaps just haven’t made connections with others yet, I strongly recommend that you open up your heart and your Direct Messages. I can honestly say that I have new friends from all over the world because of our bunnies. Obviously my book Adventures of the Super Bunny Club has helped with this but there are many others I’ve connected with as well. We may not talk every day and I may not know all the ins and outs of their lives but I care about them deeply. I think this is the magic and the positive side of social media. Sure there are trolls and you often get to see the worst of people, but there are millions of amazing and wonderful people across this world and you can connect over the love of bunnies.
So don’t delay and don’t be shy but do make an attempt to connect with others. You may initially just exchange a few words and smiley emojis but be prepared to watch the magic happen! You may find yourself at a cafe in Paris to hear someone call your name and find a fell Instabun family member introducing themselves to you in person (no really, this happened and was one of THE most wonderful experiences of my life.) We need hoomin connections more than ever now and who better to connect with than a fellow bunny lover!
Now you tell me, what are you grateful for?
Gratitude, instagram, thanksful