Gratefulness
I have to admit that I have not been very grateful lately for the blessings I have, and my blessings are numerous. I have really been down the past few weeks. My anger has been bubbling beneath the surface for some reason, and I have had to be careful not to say things quickly that may be mean. Part of it has to do with the pain I'm having with my teeth, it's exhausting, but it's better now. I think I need another visit to the dentist to adjust the crown once more to really get it in check. But this doesn't explain it all.
Part of this stems from frustration over several factors, many of which are out of my control. Family and work are two big issues right now. Some of the elements of my frustration are controllable in these areas, but many aren't. I have to let go of the things I can't change. Why stress about something I can't resolve?
Keith can sense I'm a little down, but hasn't really said anything, which is fine. Everything with him is great, and this is one of the many blessings I enjoy.
I live better than about 95% of the world's population according to a website I visited. The fact I can read gives me and advantage over two billion people on this planet. That's an amazing thing.
I have a husband who loves me and family and friends who love me. I have a roof over my head, food on my table, money in my walllet, a job and a car to get me back and forth. I can go to any church I want and worship, I can vote for the candidates I like best without any pressure, I have access to information from all over the world, I walk without pain, my senses are intact, my mind works pretty well for an older chick, and I can post things like this on the internet. Overall, I have a lot to be thankful for.
I need to remember these blessings when I have to deal with an angry public, or other public servants who are rude, or when I have a lot of overtime hours. I need to remind myself that so many don't have a job. I have to remember that the people I talk to often are having one of the worst days of their lives. I know these things, I've been doing this job long enough to have it ingrained in my head, but I still sometimes feel a little sorry for myself (and for what?). This serves no purpose and is counterproductive.
I have to remember that my parents are getting older and things aren't easy for them anymore. I have to realize that their health is deteriorating and they aren't the robust people I have pictured in my head (a holdover from a time when I was younger). These are things I have no control over.
I think about that, about not having any children to help us when we're older, about Keith and I having to go it alone, but I'm grateful we have the foresight to see it now and hopefully take action. My parents didn't have the options we do, and I'm not sure they would have taken them if they did. I'm grateful I can be there for them, even though I'd like to be there more, give them more.
I'm grateful to just be breathing in and out for another day.
Part of this stems from frustration over several factors, many of which are out of my control. Family and work are two big issues right now. Some of the elements of my frustration are controllable in these areas, but many aren't. I have to let go of the things I can't change. Why stress about something I can't resolve?
Keith can sense I'm a little down, but hasn't really said anything, which is fine. Everything with him is great, and this is one of the many blessings I enjoy.
I live better than about 95% of the world's population according to a website I visited. The fact I can read gives me and advantage over two billion people on this planet. That's an amazing thing.
I have a husband who loves me and family and friends who love me. I have a roof over my head, food on my table, money in my walllet, a job and a car to get me back and forth. I can go to any church I want and worship, I can vote for the candidates I like best without any pressure, I have access to information from all over the world, I walk without pain, my senses are intact, my mind works pretty well for an older chick, and I can post things like this on the internet. Overall, I have a lot to be thankful for.
I need to remember these blessings when I have to deal with an angry public, or other public servants who are rude, or when I have a lot of overtime hours. I need to remind myself that so many don't have a job. I have to remember that the people I talk to often are having one of the worst days of their lives. I know these things, I've been doing this job long enough to have it ingrained in my head, but I still sometimes feel a little sorry for myself (and for what?). This serves no purpose and is counterproductive.
I have to remember that my parents are getting older and things aren't easy for them anymore. I have to realize that their health is deteriorating and they aren't the robust people I have pictured in my head (a holdover from a time when I was younger). These are things I have no control over.
I think about that, about not having any children to help us when we're older, about Keith and I having to go it alone, but I'm grateful we have the foresight to see it now and hopefully take action. My parents didn't have the options we do, and I'm not sure they would have taken them if they did. I'm grateful I can be there for them, even though I'd like to be there more, give them more.
I'm grateful to just be breathing in and out for another day.