The Grateful List

One practice that helps me cope during difficult times is to make lists of things I am grateful for. The practice allows me to be "present" in an active way. I use "I" on purpose, not because I am the only one who appreciates things or because I presume to own them, but because it's a statement of what I personally am thankful for at this moment and others.

I started with five things this morning, my most immediate things. The ones to follow might be based more on second-hand thanks, that it, more of the specific things others do that make me happy and more memories.

I actually somewhat ripped off this idea from "Three Beautiful Things." I realized that what makes something even more beautiful is being grateful for it! And counting our blessings makes us joyful.

Feel free to add your own!

1. My beautiful children who are the joy in my life.
2. My beautiful David who holds God's Heart.
3. My mother whose love and hope have inspired me to keep fighting and believing.
4. My two brothers who have given me humor and opposing perspectives.
5. My in-laws who have given me extended, loving, healthy family.
6. My father's metaphysical imagination that has taught me to think beyond.
7. My dog's soft face and ears, the way she sleeps close to me, the way she prances and begs.
8. My cat, Cosmo, whose soft, sleek fur and purring presence has brought me hours of comfort.
9. My cat, Fiona, whose mischief and attitude, whose puffy chubbiness, and ear-scratching fondness has amused us all.
10. The way the animals are part of our family and provide us private jokes with years of joy.
11. That my children have become my friends and companions as well as my responsibility.
12. That I have had many opportunities to grow.
13. That I have had many lives through which I continue to evolve.
14. That I have had vision to see the beauty and colors all around me.
15. That I have learned to derive meaning from even the smallest things.
16. That I have experienced spirituality through a variety of belief systems.
17. That I have learned to appreciate the beauty of formal ritual.
18. That I have learned to take better care of my mental and physical health.
19. That I have had access to education through schools, colleges, teachers, my mother, and colleagues.
20. That I have had access to spiritual guidance through a diverse community.