I’m committing to making a conscious effort to be grateful for what I have. It’s not that I haven’t been grateful in the past, but I have taken a lot for granted. What a luxury! With a bit of irony, I find myself being thankful that I have been able to take so much for granted.
It’s not that I want to live a life of paranoia that I may lose what I treasure, but rather, I want to lift my eyes skyward and say, “thank you, God, for continued good health. I know that as I age, things will go wrong, but remind me about what I still have, and remind me to be grateful for your continued care, no matter what happens.”
Not just my health is involved here, of course, although the older I get the more aware I become of what can go wrong. And I don’t want to imply that I won’t grieve losses or feel fear or frustration in the future (sorry for the alliteration). But the overriding feeling should be gratitude.
I am grateful for my friends, past and present, online and in person. I thank God for my parents and my brother and sister and all the work they do on my behalf when the situation calls for it.
Why gratitude now, you ask? I’ve come very close to losing a few things I value, and I’m grateful to have had them, whether or not they stay in my life. I’ve had gratitude journals in the past and they didn’t really work for me, but I do want to daily be grateful for the good things in my life.
So I’m holding on to gratitude. I think it makes the heart beat stronger, literally and figuratively.
Image Credits: Skyward © prosign–stock.adobe.com; Heart © Belinda O
My World With Words 
Wise words. So easy to concentrate on what we haven’t rather than what we have.
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Thank you. On the balance, I have so much.
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Me, too.
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Such a beautiful post, Belinda. They say gratitude is the key to happiness. I think you’ve nailed it here.
Even with all the struggles I’ve gone through, I really feel like I am blessed!
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I do, too. It’s easy to focus on the losses, but I feel good about what I’ve gained.
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So often people pray for what they want, not what they already have. I try and be grateful each day for both the ordinary and extraordinary already in my life, leaving nothing for granted. Each day it seems I hear of at least one person’s story where they are less fortunate than I. I pray for them, and I also give thanks for who and what I have in my life. Great post, Belinda!
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Thank you! I was reminded just today that my somewhat hum-drum life would probably appeal greatly to some friends of mine who are struggling. It could be me next, I know, so I’m grateful for the mundane, the magnificent and even the painful if it reminds me how lucky I am.
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After I left my comment here, I found a couple of sections from a devotional book I have. One made it a point to “thank God for all favors big and small.” The other referenced “be grateful to God in all circumstances.” I thought I would pass those sentiments along as well!
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Thank you 😊
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This post is a great reminder. God is honored when we give thanks expressing gratitude. It has many benefits and directly influences your quality of life. Thank you for sharing.
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Thank you. I have so much, including my health, and I find I must be grateful.
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