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Ten Things I’m Grateful For
A few years ago, I was in a writing class with a woman who battled chronic depression. She was tired of pumping her
body full of anti-depressants and decided there had to be a better way to combat those dark days. So she started a gratitude journal and began keeping a daily log of all the things she was grateful for in her life. She told our class that her gratitude journal had kept her medication-free for a year.My friend, Pam, has a nightly ritual where she picks at least one thing she’s grateful for and says it out loud before going to sleep.
Both of these women have inspired me to be more conscious of all the incredible things I have to be grateful for in my life. I wanted to put a few of mine out into the universe.
Ten Things I’m Grateful for:
- My Family: My husband, John, and daughters Sydney and Hannah, are three of the most amazing gifts I’ve been given. I’m also grateful for my parents (the flowers shown were recently sent by my mom just because) and siblings – and for the incredible friendship I’ve forged with my sister, Connie.
- My Friends: I LOVE my friends. They are amazing. I can laugh with them, cry with them and count on them ALWAYS. And I’m grateful they feel the same about me.
- My Health/Eyesight: I’ve been battling the degenerative eye disease Retinitis Pigmentosa for years, and I’m so grateful that I can still see – and that medical advances are being made every day toward a cure or viable treatment. I’m also grateful that I’m healthy all around.
- My Warm, Leak-Free House: It’s been so cold and rainy in Seattle and I think about all of those people who don’t have a place to get warm and dry. I feel so fortunate to a house and heat.
- Food: Not only do I have access to all the food I need, I can actually go to a grocery store and choose the food I’m in the mood for that day.
- Work: My husband and I are both self-employed and I’m so grateful that we have clients who trust us with their projects, and we are able to bring in enough money to cover our expenses while pursuing the work we love and maintaining a flexible schedule.
- Soy Mochas at Aster: I know it’s a huge indulgence, but I love settling into an afternoon of writing with eight-ounce soy mocha at Aster Coffee Lounge – my favorite coffee shop. I also like heading there with my daughters and playing a game of Sorry while enjoying my mocha.
- My Local Gym: I’m particularly grateful for the Elliptical machine, the women’s-only weight room and the steam room (my favorite part).
- My Community: I love my neighborhood. Everything I need (coffee shop, gym, grocery store, office, movie theater, indie video store, restaurants) is in walking distance – including the beach. My neighbors are great and can always be counted on for an impromptu glass of wine.
- The Generosity of Others: I’ve been so amazed and humbled by the generosity of others. I’ve experienced it in spades lately – both the generosity of people who have posted reviews and shared their thoughts about my newly published book, and people who have reached out to me to share resources regarding my eye condition and ways preserve my remaining eyesight. An example? Recently I posted a blog about wanting my eyesight. Out of the blue I received a call from a woman who works for the Foundation for Fighting Blindness. Her voice message made me cry. “You don’t know me,” she said, “But I had to call you and offer my support. I read your blog and if you are putting your intention out into the universe, then I’m answering your call. I want to help you and be the resource you need.”
