I've been feeling kind of overwhelmed and grouchy lately. I think my system is a bit in shock; I've been working nearly full-time lately, and I've been so downright spoiled the last year or so that I'm having trouble re-adjusting. Many of my life goals are taking a backseat to the practicalities of bringing home a paycheck. While I do like my job, I am feeling a bit nostalgic for my freer days. Soooo...I figure I need a bit of a perspective check.
A couple years ago, I was invited by my totally amazing step-second-cousin (you heard me ;-)) to join an email group. It was called "The Gratitude List." Basically, everyday you wrote out a list. Each line started with "I'm grateful for." When you finished, you CC'd everyone on that list. Every day you received the gratitude lists of the other members as well.
I found that some days I could go on forever with soaring gratitudes. Other days I could barely squeak out "I'm grateful for having two arms." Either way, over the course of the next few months, I found myself happier. I had A LOT to be grateful for. I also found myself recognizing and acknowledging the good things as they happened. If a friendly cashier asked me how my day was while another bagged my groceries I'd think, "I'm grateful for nice people and grocery baggers."
Over time, I quit writing out my daily list to the gratituders. But I learned something precious: Be Grateful.
In the book "The Art of Happiness" which chronicles a series of interviews that an American psychologist conducts with the Dalai Lama, the Dalai Lama suggests that when we're feeling down about ourselves or our situation, it's important to meditate on what you do have.
So here goes...for a shot of happy perspective to the arm...The Gratitude List Revisited
1. I'm grateful for my two cats whose personalities and quirks make me giggle.
2. I'm grateful that I'll be seeing my neice Nova on Saturday!
3. I'm grateful that my cousin Josh's band will be playing in Fargo Saturday night and many of my cousins will be drinking cold beers and enjoying his rad bass playing.
4. I'm grateful that I'll get to see my oldest and bestest friend Tiffany in Fargo, and that I'll actually get to see her daughter Kylie on her birthday!
5. I'm grateful that Dave is so appreciative of my cooking.
6. I'm grateful that I'm almost two months of no smoking.
7. I'm grateful that my co-workers are easy to work with.
8. I'm grateful for debt reduction.
9. I'm grateful for the music website Pandora.
10. I'm grateful for the want and the will that I have to paint!
O.k., there's 10! Now, one of my favorite things about "The Gratitude List" was reading the other people's lists! So please please please, comment, and send me YOUR gratitude lists! Atleast three things, but as many as you like!
6 comments:
I am grateful the sun is shining this morning and its the start of a beautiful day!
I am grateful for the gathering this weekend and for all the relatives that are traveling to get here- have made a safe journey.
I am grateful I will be in the same room with the author of this blog, and will be able to look into her beautiful eyes!
Growing up with alcoholic parents made me decide to be happy about my life rather than depressed or angry about it because somehow i knew that happiness is a choice i could have. So gratitude is a huge part of it for me too. So here is my list!
1. I'm grateful for marrying well. (the odds were kind stacked badly against me, so beating the odds? This is a miracle that I'm always grateful for!)
2. I'm grateful for the family we created, and watching them grow is wonderful. (I have a grandson! A GRANDSON!!!!)
3. -- for my body,health & mind. Even though I'm dealing with a trick knee & I'm WAY too overweight... in the whole scope of possibilities? I'm doing great.
4.. -- for my extended family. After years of not having anyone near us and living in an area where so many people have lived here forever with lots of family connections, I'm delighted to have my 'peeps' close by for holidays & other stuff!
5. -- for Rook. (He's big, he's hairy, he's messy. I love him.)
6. -- for my husband's employment & his willingness to do it. (the current economy is a very scary thing. "There but for the grace of God go I.")
7. -- for the internet. What can't you find out with this tool? I used to love the library, but this is so much fun!
8. -- for friends and laughter.
9. -- for the beauty of a MN summer day.
10. -- my home.
to Vicki, you should have been a writer too! You say things in the most wonderful way! I love you sis.
I am grateful to be here and close to you, and i am grateful for everything you said too! And more!
love you too K, always have. always will.
My list:
1. I'm grateful for my lovely wife Darcy
2. I'm grateful for the beauty of San Diego...and its weather
3. I'm grateful to have a good job
4. I'm grateful that my wife restrains herself as much as possible from complaining when I work 12 hour days 6 days a week
5. I'm grateful I grew up in such a beautiful place...Alaska!
6. I'm grateful for friends who drive 6 hours to come hang out with me on the weekend -- thanks Tom and Jeremy
7. I'm grateful for my lovely family back home.
8. I'm grateful for my lovely family I just adopted through marriage
9. I'm grateful for technology
10. I'm grateful for opportunities that are out there in the world just waiting to be snatched up.
These are so great!!! I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!
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