My year of gratitude

Stress, worry, anxieties, fears..I think it's safe to say that all of us experience any or all of these at different times in our lives. In fact, it may often feel like they are hitting us all at once.

About 10 years ago, I started a Gratitude Journal. I wrote in it every night and I had to write down at least 3 things I was grateful for, no matter how terrible the day may have been. It was amazing how this simple act allowed me to put the day in perspective and, as a result, I had a better chance of not spending all of my waking hours being frustrated or angry, but also waking up in a better state of mind as well. For example, on the day I got a flat tire after a crazed afternoon of fighting the crowds while Christmas shopping, I was grateful that it happened as I pulled into my driveway and not in the parking lot at the mall, or on the side of the road. Yes, I still had to deal with it, but at least I was home.

So, as with anything that is good and healthy for me, I slowly stopped doing it. Not a good thing. After an almost 2 year hiatus, 2 years in which there were family crises, health scares, and the stress of living in the 21st century, I have begun again. My challenge is a year of being grateful. I have taken it from the notebook to the web, posting daily on Twitter, #dailygratitude. They aren't elegant, awe-inspiring tweets. In fact, somedays it's as simple as being grateful that I can snuggle in my comfy chair in the corner of the living room, the smell of freshly made bread, or simply kitty hugs from Bella and Pepper.

If you too find yourself stressed, possibly even overwhelmed, why not join me and make this your year of being grateful. Together, we just might surprise ourselves at how well we can navigate this thing called life, and we'll be there to support each other. I hope to see you on-line #dailygratitude.