Feeding Gratitude

Unless you're a hermit, work from home, never watch the news or have been in a coma since January, you know someone who has had a really tough year. Loss of job security, financial down turns and housing foreclosures top the list of monumental disappointments. Several of my clients went homeless, one as recently as last month.

Many people found themselves sick and in hospitals, some experienced the loss of dear ones. One woman I know was told at the hospital that her sister had died. When they took her off the ventilator, she miraculously revived, continued to improve and went home to get on with her life. It was my favorite story of the year.  Others close to me were not so lucky.

We've shared a lot of heartbreak this year when two of my dearest friends each lost a child.

But I have good news.

If you woke up today, you have something to be thankful for.
You are blessed if you are able bodied and have good health.
If you have a roof over your head, whether borrowed, rented or bought, you are blessed.
If you have even one person who loves you, it is worth expressing your gratitude.
If you have food on your table or food to share, money in the bank, a job or talent with which to earn money you are fortunate.

It's easy to look at the world and despair of all that is wrong, but I want to challenge you over the coming days to find one thing everyday to be grateful for. It doesn't need to be a big thing, a scene, a moment a song, if someone buys you lunch, or you can buy it for someone, hang onto those things. Count them. Write them down and later when you start to forget, read over them.
The more you look, the more you will see.

The more you see, the more blessed you will be.

And if you can share it, you double your blessings.

I am grateful for so many things, great friends, great bosses, the people who love me, the people I get to love. I have hopes and dreams and a promising future in spite of all that's happened. And I am grateful for YOU, my loyal reader who just today put me over the 20,000 visits mark today (and why this post is one day late.) If you can't find a blessing for what ever reason, then be the blessing.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend.