Gratitude

Things haven't been very smooth lately. I seem to be dropping just about anything and everything that could make a mess usually right before I need to be walking out the door. Things are breaking (husbands included) that cost more that just a couple of bucks. I am reminded on a daily basis that I am no longer "in the know" when it comes to technology and youth. (I just found out what Rock Band was and said, "Oh, they were playing with that on Good Morning America the other day"). My best friend, for over 16 years, just had her cervix scraped and biopsied because of abnormal cells and Mother Nature's gift has been knocking at my door for the past 2 weeks thanks to several changes in my birth control. Eeyore is making a daily appearance in my life; we have coffee together every morning in the car.

Things really need to change, beginning with my attitude. Jeremy and I had a long discussion yesterday on having a positive outlook and attitude. It is something we both need to work on, especially during these tough times.

I was reading a favorite magazine this afternoon and came across an article on gratitude. I am typing some parts word for word and skipping other parts. For the full article, pick up this month's Real Simple.

"4 Benefits of Giving Thanks" by Nykia Spradley and Lesley Aiderman
1. IT HELPS YOU FEEL IN CONTROL - In a recent study, people who wrote a letter acknowledging their gratitude once a week felt more autonomous than did those who did not....Why? It suggests they started to take credit for the good things in their own lives.
2. IT IMPROVES YOUR HEALTH - People who keep gratitude journals tend to exercise an average of 33% more each week and sleep a half hour more each night. These people also report more energy and vitality.
3. IT HELPS YOU COPE BETTER WITH TRAUMA - Painful memories are less likely to surface - and are less intense when they do - in those who are regularly grateful. If you're focused on what's good in your life at present, you're better able to neutralize negative emotions from the past.
4. IT BOLSTERS SELF-WORTH AND SELF-ESTEEM - If you count your blessings, then instead of becoming negative at the first sign of difficulty, you can concentrate on the things you value most.

Numbers 3 and 4 are the ones that hit home for me the most. I really have been trying to find the positive, but with recent events it has become harder.

What am I grateful for today?
- I am grateful that my father-in-law put new brakes on my car, paid for said brakes, and
cleaned the tree sap off of my windshield.
- I am grateful that my car passed inspection.
- I am grateful that my husband successfully bathed today without much help from me.
- I am grateful that dinner turned out as planned.
- I am grateful that I had the courage to stand up to my boss and tell him that I was upset
with him and what needed to be done to fix it.