In gratitude

Thanksgiving 2011 has come to pass.  Why should we wait for the Holiday Season to be grateful for the blessings in our life?  We get preoccupied with the “stuff” we think we need and forget to appreciate what we already have. For many years Oprah has kept a daily journal to remind her of the things she is thankful for as a way to focus on the abun­dance in her life. Nowadays, as many of us struggle with financial challenges, it takes a concerted effort to pay attention to the miracles occurring all around us.  Sarah Ban Breathnach, author of Simple Abundance, states that some days it can be a challenge to come up with five things to be grateful for, “So I'll write down my basics: my family members and friends, and the comfortable bed that I'm about to get into, as well as the fact that the day's over. That's okay. Real life isn't always going to be perfect or go our way, but the recurring acknowledgment of what is working in our lives can help us not only survive, but surmount our difficulties.”  So go ahead, keep a small pad in your car, purse, office, and at home to jot down whatever made you smile or warmed your heart during the day.  Today, for example, my son took my daughter out to lunch, and as they drove away I thanked God for the love between them. Did someone hold the door open for you? Did a friend rely on you for comfort? Was your pet happy to see you upon your return? Did your child draw you a heart? Who knows maybe as you smiled at the grocery store clerk today, your gesture may have given that person hope. Let’s transform the world one person at a time!