Gratitude is something that I experience and express all throughout my day. Growing up, my parents would remind my sister and me to say  ‘thank you’ whenever something was given to us. Back then, it felt like a formality, rather than something that I internalized as an acknowledgement of blessings.  These days, it just as vital as water and air. When I am in place of grump and growl in my mind, I dose myself with Vitamin G for gratitude that is the perfect antidote.

I’ve heard two versions of the  birth of this holiday. The first was that in 1965 at a Thanksgiving dinner held at the International East-West Center in Hawaii folks decided to focus on the blessings in their lives and the second was in 1977, the United Nations created World Gratitude Day as a means of acknowledging the good in the world, since it seems so easy to focus on the tragedies and traumas. Imagine the world immersed in, doused in, painted with and dipped in gratitude.

My gratitude list grows daily. At the moment, it includes:

Writing this blog entry

YOU for reading it!

Listening to my favorite radio station WXPN 88.5 in Philly

A body that is healthier and stronger every day

A willingness to fully feel my emotions for the first time in my life, even if it isn’t always much fun

Dear ones who have been with me as I ride those waves

Play time with friends

Healing of my knee that had me hobbling for a few weeks

Financial abundance that keeps flowing in steadily

My beautiful house that is filled with love

A well running Jeep that gets me where I need to go

Creative imagination that allows me to paint word pictures

My son’s growing happiness with all aspects of his life

Playouts at the gym

Spiritual connection that never shorts out

Enlarging the overlapping soul circles by meeting new friends daily

And in advance, welcoming the love of my life…

So It IS!

 

What’s on your gratitude list?

http://youtu.be/DnBKRcdgwos  Thank You by Alanis Morisette