Gratitude on Tuesday

I'm staring at the computer in a stupor with what feels like ineptitude to discover today's reasons for gratitude. Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful. It's just that sometimes the positive images aren't conveyed as quickly as I'd like. I wonder if you feel the same way; immobilized by all the items on a to-do list, finances, the holidays, working, cooking, cleaning, caring, in other words, LIFE...

Yet, even amidst the chaos, there is a glittering of imagery that makes me smile. The landscape, a smiling baby, shoppers talking excitedly about their purchases, how the heat feels on my cold feet. Sometimes the glimmer is so small that it is discounted, not recognized, thrown away and forgotten. Then we have room to concentrate on the more important things like how am I going to pay for all of this, my head hurts, and we start our slide down the road of discontent.

Would you agree? Are you willing to make changes to that pattern? I know I am and I have just as much to be pissy about as the next person. So, with that in mind, I encourage you to read along and start recording your own thoughts on gratitude.

What I am grateful for today:

I am grateful for hot water. Yesterday we had a leak that couldn't be fixed until this morning. We had to shut off the hot water heater and deal with cold water only. I boiled water in the tea kettle to wash my face last night. Very campy! Glad I had a bed and a house to sleep in rather than a sleeping bag on the ground in a cold tent. Thank you Dewey, for waking at 5:00 to fix this for us.

I am grateful to have work that comes with responsibilities and possibilities. It's exciting to start getting organized and discover a system for success.

I am grateful for the installer that arrives this morning at 10. That means I can say adieu to AOL and work in cyberspace with speed.

I am grateful that I can look out my french doors and follow horseback riders as they make their way gracefully through the valley down below.

I am grateful to hear the Christmas carols that bring back such fond memories. I can almost smell hot chocolate and pine trees when listening to "Rudolph" and "Silent Night".

I am grateful to be upright. I know that sounds like I'm reaching, but think of all the people that are home in bed sick with the flu. There are those that don't have the ability to stand, or are confined in some way. Think more globally of people that have had limbs blown off or suffered far worse fates. Yes, I am happy that I can create a vertical position without aid or effort.

I am grateful for the lottery. No, I haven't won except for the random dollar or two. But think about the excitement this creates, the hope, the visions of what if. Think of the lives that are changed with a winning ticket. Can't win unless you play is the typical phrase for naysayers who doubt the one in a million chance. What if it was your turn today?

I am grateful for all the catalogs I receive in the mail at this time of year. While not participating in the exchange of gifts it is still fun to look at all that is available. It's like window shopping without getting dressed.

I am grateful to have the ability to read and write. It's knowledge that we take for granted in this country. I wonder how many people have to fake their way through such an awkward existence? Did you read the book or see the movie, "The Reader" with Kate Winslett? I rest my case.

I am grateful for the silence. Just a week ago Camp Pendleton pummeled the earth in anticipation of sending over 800 troops to Afghanistan. The heavy artillery practice appears to be over. Does this mean our men and women have been deployed? I pray for their safe return.

Please share your comments and what you are grateful for today!