If there was a single word to sum up how I'm feeling today, its Gratitude. If you are a user of Twitter, you will understand that using the # symbol, or hashtag is a way to mark key words or topics in a Tweet. I love that it was created organically by Twitter users as a way to categorize messages. Within Twitter, you can search on #Gratitude and see what the multitude of Twitter users across the universe are grateful for. As I look around, I think there's a huge opportunity for everyone to be a little more diligent about identifying what they are grateful for on a daily basis.
As I emerge from these past few trying months, that is one of my new habits. Each day I am writing down at least three things I am grateful for - as well as three positive things I am envisioning for my future. The act of writing it down makes it much more real for me.
Today's list so far? Well, first, I had not one but TWO cups of coffee this morning. For me, this is huge step forward because it symbolizes that food and drink are actually beginning to taste and feel normal. Second, I am grateful to be living in an amazing and beautiful location. It's still February, but today we will flirt with 80 degrees. The sun shines 300+ days a year. Having undergone treatment in January and February, it was such a blessing to be able to travel to the clinic each and every day in 60 or 70 degree temps and beautiful sunshine. I think it did so much to help my attitude!
And finally, I am so grateful for the love, friendship and support of so many people in my life. Doing my morning reading and meditations, I came across this blog and wanted to share it because somehow the people in my life either intuitively knew, or knew from experience, how to do every single thing on this list. You know who you are!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/suleika-jaouad/cancer-advice_b_1290008.html
If you have a friend or family member with cancer - or even if you've had the good fortune not to face this, I found this to be an incredibly accurate list from a patient's perspective.
The secret of happiness is to count you blessings while others are adding up their troubles
So glad to hear you are making your way back to the mountaintop. Thanks again for another good lesson in being grateful.
ReplyDeleteAmy, I loved the article on what a friend can do to actually help the cancer patient. It's so hard to know just what to say or do.
ReplyDeleteAnd Merrill and I are so grateful that you have come through this ordeal with a smile on your face and with hopefulness and even excitement about the future. We're so glad to be a part of that future, as friends, too.