Gratitude and Thankfulness

“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” 

Albert Einstein

This has been a trying year for my outlook, as I’m sure it has been for many of us. I’m generally a pretty upbeat, happy person who can shake moods fairly quickly. 2020 has been a test of my disposition.

And though I know most of you have heard this, know it, practice it, live it – I think it always bears repeating for that one person (sometimes me) who could use a gentle reminder.

Gratitude

Gratitude starts with perspective. It’s flipping the negative on its head and looking for that silver lining.

Am I mixing metaphors? It’s kinda my thing.

If you do it consciously and routinely, eventually it becomes habit and habit becomes lifestyle. Until we forget…that’s why I’m dedicating a post to it.

As I said, 2020 has been challenging, but there is plenty to be grateful for nonetheless:

1. Despite the “panic”, I’ve never run out of toilet paper.
2. Though I miss my co-workers, I see them virtually every week.
3. I have a job that allows me to safely and efficiently work remotely.
4. I can see blue sky out of my window.
5. I found face masks that work both for me and the mister (different styles).
6. My immediate friends and family remain healthy.
7. I have been able to normalize some semblance of my life and I am committed to improving that day-by-day.
8. After struggling with physical ailments that restricted activities, I am now back to almost 100%.
9. I’m grateful for wind on my face every time I go outside.
10. I can roll out of bed and down one flight of stairs to my “office”.
11. We have found unique ways to “adventure”.
12. I can stretch creatively with this blog – even though some days it feels like I’m yelling into the wind.
13. My fortitude and stick-with-it-ness to stay the course…of anything.
14. I rediscovered my handwriting by slowing down and using my beloved fountain pens.
15. My partner has been an amazing quarantine buddy.
16. We are making slow and steady progress on the endless list of household “to-do” which means they are getting “ta-done!”
17. Every full breath I can take.
18. Every full belly of food.
19. Every moment, however virtual, with a loved one.
20. I am alive.
21. I am healthy.

“Some people grumble that roses have thorns; I am grateful that thorns have roses.” 

Alphonse Karr