An Attitude of Gratitude

Hello all.. I’m back and still trying to change bad habits and break old cycles. Wondering when will I learn. I suppose I am still trying to find my path, where I fit in, and what it is I should be doing. Or knowing what all that is and still not making the necessary changes to achieve success. I have been out here so infrequently, as I admittedly, am having a hard time learning how to find balance between work, home, relaxation, and passion. Truth is I enjoy being around people, having discussions with people, making them think, laugh, smile, etc.. With my job I get that person to person direct, and recognize what is needed from them to me and vice versa.. Other parts of my job, however, bring me to emotional places I do not enjoy at all. Yesterday, was one of those days. Sadly, even my peeps, I like to call them, could not raise me up to a better place.. It was a non-joyous struggle that I eventually did make through. I am sure many of you can relate.

When I think about yesterday, I say to myself “I wish I could have been more grateful for the day I was given”. Then I remembered a discussion with a coworker last week. She was having an awful day, and I said “try to be thankful for something and you may find your day getting better”. Her reply “I have nothing to be thankful for”. To which I said “how about the fact you were able to get out of bed this morning, start there”. My own words coming back to bite me in the….. Well you know.

This morning, I got back to something I have been failing at lately; writing in my gratitude journal. I learned a few years ago, the necessity, in taking time to write at least five things I am grateful for each day. Doing this brings me to a better place; to a place of recognition of all the positives, of all the possibilities, and to a place of love, peace, joy, and harmony. You will not believe how starting your day this way can open your eyes to a brand new world. May I suggest, if you do not do it already, you give it a try.

For those who have never done it before, I thought I would share with you what today’s were for me. Remember nothing is too small or too large, it is all about your heart space and putting it in a better place. You will be surprised how quickly five turns into ten, and so on. Doing this helps you to see more, to be more, and to do more. It even helps you to recognize when you are swaying away from the positive and more quickly puts you back on path. So glad I made a course correction this morning, it brought me to a heart space of doing something I love, writing for all of you to read, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

So my five for today: First, and foremost, I thanked God (my creator, universal source, whatever your name for him/her is) for another day full of possibilities – a blank slate for me to write or draw on. Second, I thanked God for helping me to hold my tongue last night – for the self control to not speak some things I knew I would regret later. Third, I thanked God for my husband. He takes care of me in more ways than I like to admit – housework, yard work, cooking, cleaning… what doesn’t he do. Forth, I thanked God for the courage to stand up for myself more often. For the ability to speak my truth, and yet still be open enough to hear someone else’s. And fifth, last but certainly not least, I thanked God for my creative spirit – the song in my voice, the dance in my step, and the love and joy in my heart.

These were my five today. Your’s can be far simpler and more material if you are a beginner. When I first started, it was my morning coffee. Some days it still is. You are invited to share yours with all of us if you so desire. If you are not ready for that, it is my hope that you will at least consider starting somewhere. Trust me I have met people who are so worn down by life that it was a struggle to come up with one. Some people I have helped recognize their first one and then off to the races they went. I am so okay with baby steps in right directions or more positive directions. Try it, you just may like it, and you just may see that there truly is a light at the end of a dark tunnel. It may take some time to traverse it, but the attitude of gratitude, does illuminate the dark tunnel to make for easier passage. I hope you find that out for yourself. Until next time…. Light, Love, and Gratitude. Tomorrow I will be thankful for you.