Gratitude

My kids recently pointed out to me that I say, Thank you, all day long - like these words are annoying them and please stop.  Geez Mom, thank you for gas in the car?  Yes!  Without gas, the car doesn't move and if the car doesn't move, I cannot get to work and if I cannot get to work, I do not make money and without money, I can't pay the rent and so on.  It's like the children's book, If You Give A Mouse A Cookie.  All day long I speak those two words as a prayer.


I often make a gratitude list.  Sometimes I share it with others and sometimes I just write the list in my nightly journal.  Acknowledging my gratitude for my life does not come easy to me.  It is a practice - a sort of meditation.  Today I am grateful for:
my bed
fresh air
my legs
sunshine
Netflix
Transformation Church
music
nachos
my sweet boys
air conditioning
new friendships
a 2nd date on Tuesday
1:00pm meeting
baby Hadley
sweatpants


I used to think being grateful was a feeling. I am not sure where I came up with that idea but that is what I believed.  I have been taught that gratitude is an attitude (groan) - not a feeling.  Sometimes the things I am grateful for do not feel good and yet I am grateful to be having the experience.  Most of the items on my list bring a smile to my face but that is because I believe them to be good and therefore I feel good about them.  Sweatpants - I could look at them and think - elastic waistband, I am getting fat, they are so old but I can't afford new ones...  But sweatpants made my list because I was comfortable all day long unpacking, cleaning, lounging on my couch.  They are like hanging out with an old friend.  My sister almost persuaded me to donate them because they are old and worn and I am so grateful I didn't listen to her.


Some days I have to work hard to come up with five things to be grateful for.  A sad admission but it is the truth.  I told my son the glass half empty/half full analogy when explaining why I say thank you all day long.  He thought for a minute and said, but mom - the glass is not half empty or half full, it just is.  So very grateful for simple perspective.  It just is...
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