Gratitude

I wish when I was younger I had a greater sense of gratitude. I was too busy focusing on me and everything happening around me, instead of counting the blessings in my life. While I still can get caught up, I am grateful everyday for my many gifts.

It is easy to get caught up in little things that go wrong in life, to find the negative in situations, and complain to whoever will listen. It seems often times people focus on what they don’t have instead of what they do have. Yes, I would like a bigger, fancier house. I would love an all day shopping spree at Nordstrom. I sometimes long for a more glamorous and exciting career. I often get frustrated because of my long commute, mundane days, endless responsibilities. Then I stop and take a breath…and become grateful for that breath.

I have a friend who’s life was turned upside down when she found out she had a grade 4 brain tumor; she now longs for normal days where all she has to worry about is how she will get all the laundry done and help her kids with homework. I have my health today and so do those that I love. I have a comfortable home, a successful career that helps pay for the mortgage on that home, a family that I am blessed enough to take care of, and my wardrobe is stocked more then most.

Even in difficult times we can find people and things to be grateful for, and while it sometimes may take work to find the blessing, it’s there. Choose the blessings.