New Name

 Given that the last post was written quite a while back, I have changed the name of the blog to just "Gratitude."

In our heart, we should be grateful every day for our lives, the people in it, the blessings we receive; hence, "365 Days of Gratitude," the original name of the blog. However, given that many things are very personal, I have chosen to post on this blog only once a week. I hope that my thoughts will reach you when you need it most, to give you a spark of gratitude even in the direst circumstances. 

Today, I accompanied my mom to the hospital for a consult. As we were waiting, I observed the people around us. Many were older individuals; however, there were a few that were young, way too young to be in the oncology department. In this mortal life, each of us has been given an imperfect body. Some ailments are less serious than others. Some make you wonder if our Father in Heaven (or whomever you believe in) loves you and why He has permitted such grave afflictions. 

As each of us is different in how we process challenges, I cannot tell you what you should be grateful for. I can only share my personal thoughts of gratitude.

I am grateful that I am able to accompany my mom and be with her in this stage of her life. 
I am grateful that I know our bodies, although imperfect in this world, will be resurrected to perfection in the eternities.
I am grateful that medicine has come a long way in helping people heal or, at least, cope with an illness.
I am grateful for the support groups that are available for those who need them. 

As difficult as your circumstances might be, strive to find one thing to be grateful for. Gratitude, has a way to make us feel a little bit better.

Health

 I am sure I have already stated I am grateful for my health. However, today, after receiving a phone call from a friend and discovering she was admitted to the hospital, and after finding out that a young girl with Down Syndrome is battling leukemia for the second time, I had to stop and give thanks for my health and that of my family. Health is so precious. When there is health, everything else can be worked out. Without health, no money in the world makes up for it. 

Wendy Meg Siegel Art

When you wake up, whatever time it is, take a moment to give thanks for a new day. None of us know how much time we have here on this earth, but we can certainly make the best of it. One of the ways to enjoy it is to show gratitude for the blessings we receive. A grateful heart is a joyful heart. And take a moment to ask for a blessing for those battling with health issues. There is power in prayer.

 This blog is called "365 Days of Gratitude."

As much as I want to write each day, time is such that it is not possible for me to do so. The best plan I came up with is to write once a week so that, hopefully, I will not feel too overwhelmed and then drop it again for years to come. 

Please, do not think that because I will write once a week, I show my gratitude only once a week.
I am grateful to my Heavenly Father, family, friends... every single day and, many days, multiple times in the 24 hours period. 

Today, I want to share my thanks to my Heavenly Father for either giving me green lights or by making the lights turn yellow far enough in advance that I can stop without having to slam on my breaks and, possibly, be rear-ended. 

I drive about 30 minutes every day to my place of employment. The stretch of road is nice and straight with two lanes going one direction, one nice, wide, grassy divider, and two lanes going the other way.
The speed limit is 55, but drivers go 70 and some, above that. It would be very easy for the light to turn yellow/red and not have enough time to stop without slamming on the breaks. However, I have been blessed with either a light that just turned green or enough notice to stop without any issues. 

It may be a little thing to some, but to me it is a great blessing. 

Renewed Interests

I have the blessing to work with a new colleague who is absolutely amazing. 

Because of her, her interests, and her encouragement, I have found a renewed interest in writing. 

I am far from proficient, but I know that with some training, practice, passion, and dedication, I can improve my skills.

Today, after years of silence, I am grateful for a renewed interest in this and other blogs I started so long ago. 

Here is to a new beginning! Cheers! 

New Opportunities

Hello again my dear friends.

I started this blog a couple of years back, during the month of November, because... well, in the U.S. we celebrate a holiday called Thanksgiving.

This blog was supposed to encourage all of us to be thankful not only during the month of November (or just during Thanksgiving week or day), but to recognize our blessings every day, even those that come disguised as trials. Hence, the name 365 Days of Gratitude.

I have not been consistent with my posts. But this does not mean that I have not given thanks to our Father in Heaven on a daily basis. I have good intentions, but not enough time to put them into practice. No excuse. I know.

I want to try again. I am grateful that I am given new opportunities. This is the beauty of new days. A new day, is a new chance at accomplishing what we missed the day before.

Am I going to write every day? I am not going to promise it because it breaks my heart when I look back and see that I was unable to keep a promise.

I am going to be thankful every day, and I am going to share with you as often as time permits.

The scope of this blog is to help each of us be aware of even the smallest of things around us and to always be thankful for all those things we take for granted, because we see them and/or use them everyday.

For today, I am thankful that I am still around and that I can still share with you my thoughts and feelings.

I am thankful for you, my reader, and I hope that you will find encouragement to look in your life and count your blessings. Even during trials, there are things we can be thankful for to our Father in Heaven.

Milkshakes

Today I am grateful for milkshakes, especially if they are shared with your child!

Milkshakes are always good, but when you enjoy them while enjoying the company and conversation of your child, they are even better.

Always make and take time to spend quality moments with your family members as these are the memories that will last a lifetime.

18. Faith

I stumbled upon a post on Facebook about a woman who supposedly was able to predict things that did happen. Her prediction for the next decades are scary.
I have to admit that, for a moment, I worried. Then...

.... Then I remembered that Heavenly Father is in charge and if I trust in Him, all will be well. I am not promised physical protection from all the evil in the world or anything else that might happen, for that matter. However, what I have been promised is that if I stay close to Him and His Son, Jesus the Christ, and if I follow their example, I will gain eternal life.

I will walk by faith, taking it one day at the time, and doing the best that I can to follow Their lead.

I am grateful for the faith I have been able to develop and count on to help me through the day. It is still a small seed, but it grows with each step I take on the path back home.