GRATITUDE

It’s hard to believe the week has already come and gone and that it is time to pause again and reflect on the things in the week behind me for which I am most grateful. Since I’ve been doing my weekly gratitude blog, it has helped me to focus on the positive things in my life, even though there may be a plethora of negative things going on. Simply pausing and acknowledging my gratitude makes a world of difference in the way I approach my life.

I’m always quick to mention my friends in my blog who lift me up with their words, their actions, their prayers and just simple acts of friendship. I am blessed beyond measure with friends who show me each and every day just how much they care about me. These are the people who tirelessly listen to the same old stories over and over, and their dedication never, ever seems to waver. In what seems like a life of constant change, it means to much to have the stability of friends who are there to listen, who aren’t afraid to tell me the truth and whose ability to just be there for me each day is something I probably take for granted far more often than I care to confess. Through the “trials” that have been set before me in the recent months, I’ve found out who my true friends are, who to trust, who to call upon and those who are more fair-weathered friends, are not really friends at all in some cases.

I’m grateful for the openness which Parker and I have shared this week. Over the last several weeks, we had some very difficult conversations. We’ve both shed many tears, but we also share a deep love for one another, a deep friendship and are now reaching the point where we can be “real” to one another in ways we have never been able to accomplish before. This week was, at times, very difficult for us. Yet, once we were able to talk situations out and see things for the other’s perspective, we were able to gain clarity, understanding and will be able to make adjustments as necessary moving forward. While I’ve lost my life companion, or my husband, as I prefer to say, I haven’t lost my friend. I haven’t lost the man with whom I’ve shared the last five years of my life, and I’m confident—we’re confident—that everything is going to be able to remain in tact.

I’m grateful for my health, especially when so many of those who are around me are suffering from illnesses. I’m grateful that I’m becoming more focused on my workout routine. I’ve not totally arrived yet, but I’m a work in progress. Where I am today is a far cry from where I was two or three months ago, but is still a far cry from where I hope to be two, three or four months from now.

Here’s my confession: There’s always more to be grateful for than to bitch about. Being grateful is better for the mind, body and spirit. I’m grateful for the gifts and talents I’ve been given by God. I’m grateful for this gift of writing, for my musical skills, for the many ways God is moving in my life, for the many ways that growth is coming into my life. I’m optimistic as I look ahead.

I do find it interesting that none of my readers comment on my gratitude blogs. Maybe they are too deep and personal for anyone to feel like they can comment or add anything to what I’ve already. Most of the time, I do pour my heart and soul into the blog, especially my gratitude blog. And, so, tonight, I end my blog saying how incredibly grateful I am for those of you who take time out of your busy days to read this blog. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.