I was talking with a close friend the other day about the terrible events going on in the world right now. As often happens with us, we begin with the negative, then move into the outrageous, and end up in the positive.
She told me that she begins her day with a cup of coffee when she stops for a moment to think of the things in her life she is grateful for. I said that is a wonderful way to start your morning! Apparently this is a common practice for many which I was totally unaware of. So, I decided to try it.
I found it difficult in the beginning. First of all, I am not a morning person – it takes me a while to wake up and for my brain to start functioning. Secondly, I have the habit of thinking of what I need to do for the day ahead while I’m drinking my morning coffee. But gradually, after a few days, I found that I enjoyed those few minutes of quiet, looking outside and counting my blessings. It’s strange how just a word can fill you with quiet contentment. After a while, I found even on the difficult days it became easier to stay calm and not get overworked by something that might usually make me upset. Slowly things that seemed like mountains became molehills, that weren't so difficult to conquer.
We forget. We forget that we are just passing through this life. We forget to take joy in the simple things. We forget that the simple things are those that enrich our life and make it worth living. We need to remember every day how lucky we are. We have problems, sure, we all do, that's a simple fact of life. But it is also a fact of life that we are blessed. We just have to remember.
So, at some point in your day, whether it is in the morning or at night when you are lying in bed, take that moment to be grateful for what you have.
Have a wonderful day!!!
- theaparikos