WEEKLY GRATITUDE REFLECTIONS

I pause again to look at the many blessings in my life. For some reason, it sometimes seems forced to do this each week, although honestly it is disciplining me to be more grateful for the blessings already in my life when it would be just as easy to ignore the things and people who make me blessed beyond measure. The difficulty truly comes in effectively communicating my gratitude rather than rambling on just to fill up space.

One of the things I can honestly say I am grateful for this week without even having to look too deep is my dear friend Truvy. She has started a new job and truly seems as on top of the world as I've seen her in a long time, despite other things in her life that are less than perfect. We've been able to spend time together again in the last week. I am so grateful for not only the quantity of time we've spent together, but also the quality of that time. I feel like I have my friend back.

As I've written earlier this week, I've forced myself to return to the gym. I'm taking it slowly, but making myself get back into the routine. In doing so, I'm mindful of the blessing of good health I already enjoy and how there are those who wish they were able to work out or even be active, and for whatever reason aren't able. That alone should be enough to motivate me to go to the gym.

I am grateful for yesterday's rainfall. How much we were in need! I must confess, however, that while I love rainy days and they usually put me in a terrific mood, yesterday's rain didn't have the calming effect on me. I was actually in a pissy mood because I was so overwhelmed with work.

Here's my confession: I could sit here for days and list the things for which my heart is most grateful and only scratch the surface. The truth is that I have such a blessed life. Even on my worst day, with my biggest problems, there is always someone out there who is worse off and would give anything to trade places with me. Sadly, this is true for most of us. Even more sad is that we don't have to look very far to find them. They may be friends or family members, or maybe the homeless person we passed this morning on our way into work or on our way to lunch.

Gratitude. It is such a simple notion, such a refreshing experience. It's the heart's prayer, and will transform our lives, if we are only open to it.