Gratitude challenge
 

I have been challenging my clients to be more grateful, and to journal three gratitudes everyday. And it occurred to me that it might be a nice post for us during this Christmas season. So I'm going to start and try to limit myself to three, and I invite the rest of you to join in. And I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas (with no apologies.)

I'm grateful for:
All of you. Some of you have become dear friends, others I learn a lot from. And some have caused me to grow. All of that's inspirational.

For the beauty that surrounds me everyday, even when there's days I have to look for it. Orchids, cats, birds, acts of kindness, etc.

I'm grateful for the people I get to serve, and hopefully the change God makes in their lives through me.

I could go on and on but it's your turn if you choose.

Grateful for:

My Family
The Beach
Good Health
Salvation

Today I am grateful...

Bills I can afford to pay, because it means a roof over my head and food in my belly. I've been without.

The blessing of friends and family, both with me and in my heart, because life is much more enjoyable. I've lived through times where I was abandoned and alone.

A greater sense of peace in this past holiday season than I've had in a few years. Times of turmoil and sorrow never broke my spirit, but I struggled greatly for awhile.

Here are just three from me for today:

I am grateful that my husband and I have our basic needs met, meaning we have a home to live in, enough food on hand, good health care, and the ability to pay for it all. I never take this for granted, and it hurts me deeply to know so many others are not getting their needs met.

I'm grateful for my one remaining dog, and for all dogs who have shared their lives with me in the past, and may do so in the future.

I'm grateful that the clouds parted long enough to allow me to see the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn in our sky a few nights ago, a sight not seen by human eyes in over 800 years. It was beautiful, both naked eye and with a telescope, and reminds me of what an amazing and beautiful universe we live in.

Cheri. It was too cloudy to see the conjunction but, I'm garateful you saw it!

I am so onto this!

I have been practicing active gratitude a lot and it is amazing. In fact, it is the only way you can insulate yourself against loss.

Loss is inevitable. The more you have the more you can lose. When my daughter was born I woke up in a cold sweat one night and was terrified and had to call my dad. I am not used to being afraid of anything and suddenly I have a lot to be afraid of losing, what do I do???? My dad just said, appreciate every single second you have. I kind of soaked it in and soaked in it for a minute. Thanked my dad for being my dad and went to sleep like my baby

I am so grateful for my girls (wife, daughter and one in the chamber), my good luck (amazing job, work from home, health) and my family. I am so loved and so well supported. I cannot imagine the fear from lacking either food or family and I try to be as charitably active as possible

Pandemic has limited me to money donations and having a car full of “Care packages” for any one I see panhandling on the rare occasions we leave home.


The universe has blessed me so well and it is my duty to share

I am grateful for my wife of 45 years and our two kids, and that we’re not having to deal with working and schooling during the pandemic.

Also for my friends here and all over the world, thanks to orchids.

I am grateful to NM DOH who mentioned on the local news, which I almost never watch any news, but did last night. It gave a website for pre registration of Vaccine I am a few yrs over the 75 yrs and so I am about fourth in line after all the health care workers, nursing homes and staff, and essential workers, including fire, police, grocery store workes, and a close friend/couple, who work with foster kid visitation and work in heating and cooling and they have two tykes. I am grateful for grocery store delivery, amazon for orchid needs in cluding LECA and a gift from my best male friend that seen some dough to buy more orchids...like I have space for me but have 5 promised Phals to new growers/friends, and health care workers in a clinic.

Most grateful for my older daughter who had Covid and survived early in the year, and for younger daughter veteran who has lots of health issues and is facing brain surgery in the new year for cerebral hypertension, (water and the brain like new borns some times have called hydrocaphalis) to insert a shunt to drain the excessive cerebral fluid that she has had for 5+ yrs/ She is a trouper and staying safe from Covid. so far

I shouldn't have more than three gratefuls for one day, but as a rebel Imma have one more for today...

I am grateful for DollytheHun, a/k/a Carol, who started this thread. She's become a best friend over the past couple or so years while my life was turned upside down. Loves me just the way I am.

Grateful for my dogs, those in the past, and those with me now. They have all taught me the very best way to look at life.

It's how we're supposed to be, how we should all attempt to live our lives. And I'm so grateful for the internet... we choose our path on this new world wide web... it's given me growth, depth, and a whole new bunch of folks I'd otherwise never have "met."

You're allowed. Many people can't think of one.