Happy Thanksgiving!

Among the many things I'm grateful for: family, friends, health, my job, my education, my kitty, a place to live, all five senses working (as in, sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch), and freedom (a big thank-you to all the troops sacrificing this time with their families to serve our country).

Not included in that list, but vital to the holiday is ... food! So I share this:

Gratitude

December 30, 2009

I fell asleep last night counting my blessings instead of sheep. I'm reminded of just how blessed I am each day for various reasons.

Yesterday I felt acutely aware of the blessings of freedom I take for granted every day, and sympathetic to the struggles of people around the world who have taken a courageous stand against tyrants.

As the icy rain tapped against my windowpane, I also was aware of all those who were fighting for a bed in a shelter or facing a bitterly cold night on the sidewalk.

My stomach was grumbling as I closed my eyes, which reminded me of all those around the world who hadn't eaten in days (and may never know what a full stomach feels like).

So I started a list of the many reasons I am so grateful.

• Shelter above my head that I can call home
• Three meals a day (or more if desired)
  
• Heater
• Warm clothes (that even have style) as opposed to whatever's available in the donation bin (or none)
  
• Shoes
  
• Freedom of speech 
• Freedom of the press
• Freedom to worship as I believe (and the gift of faith)
• Gender equality (more or less) in comparison to the situations many other women face. American women largely face economic inequality and violence on the streets and in their homes (still unacceptable), while other women face a whole host of evils solely based on gender: stonings, acid attacks, burnings, genital mutilation and honor killings, or they're killed in the womb simply because they don't have the right "parts" and are deemed worthless or a burden.
•  A job
• A loving, healthy family
• All five senses (sight, smell, taste, touch, hearing - a pretty awesome combo!)
• A body that moves and becomes the vehicle to enjoy my passions (dancing, writing, music, cooking, being outdoors)
• An education
• The gift of literacy
• Travel experience
• A loving kitty (shout-out to her foster parents!)
• A set of wheels
• The opportunity to create a life for myself
• The resilience of the human spirit
• The gift of HOPE

Bite-sized inspiration

"The ship of my life may or may not be sailing on calm and amiable seas. The challenging days of my existence may or may not be bright and promising. Stormy or sunny days, glorious or lonely nights, I maintain an attitude of gratitude. If I insist on being pessimistic, there is always tomorrow. Today I am blessed."

--Maya Angelou

***

Life is short and we do not have too much time to gladden the hearts of those who travel the way with us; so be swift to love, and make haste to be kind, and the blessing of God: whose creativity crafted you, whose love leads and saves you, and whose holy breath sustains you, be ever with you, and all the world, this day and evermore. Amen.

(Author unknown; from my friend's memorial service)