For this I am Thankful

It's that time of year - the time that we reflect upon our year, give thanks for the good, and look forward to moving further away from that which wasn't so good.  I have spent a great deal of time this year thinking about the power of being thankful for what I have.  Much of this thought was brought about by a good friend suggesting that we take time to acknowledge our blessings.  What a blessing that in itself has been!

Each week, some of my friends and I email one another our gratitude lists.  It might sound a bit corny at first glimpse, but believe me when I say, it has made a difference in all of our lives.  These people, whom I have considered friends for quite some time, have become even more important, and help me live my life in a positive manner.  Through these lists, we have kept up on one another's celebrations and losses.  We have been able to show support in the rough patches and offer congratulations for successes.  And sometimes our lists just make the others laugh!

As most of you know, I lost my nephew unexpectedly in August.  Besides my immediate family, my 'gratitude' group was the first I contacted.  I knew they would keep my family in their prayers, and that they truly cared.  And they, along with many of my friends, showed up.  When another friend lost a close family member, we were certain to be there for her.  As I have traveled the path toward getting my book published, my little group has celebrated with me, and listened to me whine.  Their support has been invaluable.

Along with sharing my list with my friends, which reminds me that I need to always be thankful, I also keep a journal by my bed, and each night before I go to sleep I write down at least five things for which I am thankful.  Imagine the power in this when I was grieving the loss of my nephew.  Though I was deeply saddened by my loss and struggled to keep my composure at home, I found things for which I was thankful every day.  I was thankful that I was off work so that I could be available for my sister; I was thankful for all of the wonderful people who helped us; I was thankful that my cousin Mike flew in to be with us; and the list goes on.  In the midst of our sorrow, God's presence was evident every moment. 

I would be lying if I said that every day it is easy to find things to put on my list.  I still have my grouchy days when I get frustrated with someone.  Sometimes I am just thankful that I held my tongue (which is really hard), so that is what I write down.  Some days I am glad I stood up for myself, and some days I am thankful I just ignored someone's pettiness.  Sometimes I am thankful for a mean person because it makes me appreciate the nice people in my life.  Sometimes I am thankful that I finally decided that negative people have no place in my life.  Life is too short to waste time on people who just make me feel bad about myself.  I am very thankful I finally figured that out!

The power of gratitude is amazing.  Acknowledging - in writing - that which one is thankful for can change his or her outlook on life.  It is so easy to get wrapped up in what is wrong in our lives and our world; take the time to search out what is right.  It might be the fact that you have the ability to work, enough food, and good health.  Everyone's list will differ, and appreciating those differences is also something to be grateful for.  I often include gratitude for friend's happiness and success in my list.  

Give gratitude a try.  Let me know what changes you experience - I would bet that there will be some!  You will come to think about being thankful for little things throughout your day, not just when you write your list.   So, here is my list for 2011 (a little early, but Thanksgiving is just around the corner)...

I am thankful, Lord...

~ that Gary and I celebrated our 8 year anniversary
~ that my brother-in-law recovered from a heart attack
~ that we got to go to Virginia Beach in June to visit Tamara and family
~ that Bethany successfully began her second year of college
~ that I have been able to be there for my sister as she continues to grieve the loss of her son
~ that my husband ran a marathon - 26.2 stinkin' miles - in April
~ that my hysterectomy was uneventful and I am fully recovered
~ that my body allows me to run
~ for my running friends, school friends, church friends, my girlfriends, and gratitude friends
~ that I started going to Zumba classes - love it!
~ that Facebook has allowed me to get to know some long-lost family members and reconnected me with childhood friends
~ that my book was finally published
~ that my grandson Layne was born healthy, and Morgan is a great mom
~ that I checked another item off my life-goal list - ziplining
~ that Addison is a kind and wise soul, and she is blessed with my dad's musical talent
~ that each day my job allows me to make a difference in the life of a child

See...that was easy!  What are you thankful for?