I've been keeping a gratitude journal. Sometimes, just in my personal thoughts. Occasionally, I make a list. I like keeping things to myself. I tell the designers I teach and work with to make living a grateful life their first priority. Sometimes, in classes, we have an activity where we start a gratitude journal. Surprising as it may seem, I often have to suggest that waking up and breathing can count for two of the 5 entries I request. I find that a little sad.
So, I wanted to make a quick list of that for which I am so grateful and, I too, had difficulty. Not because I couldn't think nof 5, but because I didn't know where to begin. Do I start with the big stuff, like the fact that I have not been sick for 20 years? Or something that may seem insignificant to others, like the window and light on my range? Should I wax eloquent about how I nearly burst with joy when I see how well my children turned out, in spite of my weaknesses as a parent? Perhaps I should just share a quick,witty reprise of my imitation of the Keystone Cops-esque attempts at organizing my office and getting the pre-lit garland on my bannister. (I actually spent a couple of hours on the latter task, then, upon inspection decided I didn't like it, took it down and started over. I'm still not done.)
So, what fills me with gratitude and encourages me to continue to move forward? My family, my home, my ability to reason, my right to disagree: that tired feeling at the end of a long day of hard work; being able to look myself in the mirror knowing that I lived yet one more honest day; that at least for now, I live in a country where it isn't against the law to succeed and even though there are those who would strip me of my freedom, my right to pursue happiness, my voice - they haven't succeeded yet.
Most of all, at this moment, I am grateful for those who inspire me to be more than I am. Those who, by their presence in my life, make my life better, purposeful, necessary. Many don't know of their influence and inspiration.
Rather than drag my greatly appreciated audience through a longer than necessary dreary story, suffice it to say that I am grateful for these things and so much more.
I am grateful for you.
