So yesterday I
started making a list of things I’m grateful for because I was challenged by my
friend, Amy. I was supposed to write down three things every day for five days
that I’m grateful for and I was supposed to challenge three additional people
every day to do the same thing.
But I didn’t. I
was sort of busy last week and it got by me. Oops.
So yesterday I
wrote down half my gratitude list in one fell swoop and posted it in my blog.
And I didn’t challenge anyone in particular to follow in my footsteps. I didn’t
follow the “rules.” That’s me – the Maverick.
Nah, not really. Generally
speaking, I’m the epitome of the Rule Follower. I’m a Maverick only in my
dreams.
But I get it. The
point is to get more and more people to realize all they have to be thankful
for. Sort of like the ice bucket challenge for ALS – or the “Pay it Forward”
movement.
I really get it.
Because the world would be a much kinder place if we all challenged one another
to find gratitude and joy in life rather than in things to complain about.
So I have some
more things to add to my Gratitude List:
#8. I’m really
grateful that I don’t have to eat kale every day. Vince has decided that kale
is “good for us.” Whenever Vince uses
the phrase “good for us,” I cringe. Because it usually means that it won’t
necessarily taste good, but we still
need to eat it. Sigh. I’ve drawn the line at Brussel sprouts and Kimchi. But to
show you what a good wife I am, I added a big handful of kale to our fruit
smoothies this morning. Good for me, eh?
#9. I am grateful
for running water and working toilets. Hey, don’t scoff. Some people don’t have
these “luxuries.” ‘Nuff said. (Oh, except for the fact that I’m grateful I didn’t
grow up in the “olden days” when you had to use an outhouse. Yeah, I’m really grateful for that.)
#10. This is
going to sound stupid, but I’m grateful for the kind things people do for
strangers. I get choked up every time I read about a Random Act of Kindness,
even if it’s something as small as paying for the coffee of the person in line behind
you. Heck, it makes my whole day when a stranger smiles at me or opens the door
for me – so I try to do those little things for other people, too. Because who
knows? Maybe I can make their day a little brighter. It does become a little
awkward, though, when a stranger and I are both trying to hold the door open
for each other at the same time. Then it becomes a little less an act of kindness and more sort of a power
struggle. (“After you.” “No, please. After
you.” “No, no, really…!”) Ah well. It
all works out. Eventually.
#11. I’m grateful
for chocolate.
#12. I’m grateful
that even though I can only hear out of one ear, I can hear perfectly fine out
of the other one. And even though my eyesight is horrible and I’m legally blind
without corrective lenses, I’m grateful that I can wear corrective lenses and
see stuff. And I’m grateful that even though I’m not the absolute sharpest
knife in the drawer (oh, be quiet!), I have no complaints about the brain God
gave me and the creativity and sense of humor he gifted me with. And, yeah,
okay, sometimes my sense of humor gets a little lost, but a little chocolate
always helps. (Hence, #11 on my list.)
#13. And,
finally, I’m grateful for my brother Andrew. He recently celebrated a birthday
and listed on Facebook the top three things in his life – his wife, his dog and
his boat. A long conversation ensued where it turned out I was far down the
list falling somewhere below his cherished ball of twine. Or something like
that. Shows me where I stand with my brother, doesn’t it?! So I wanted to write
a special note to him to show him I’m SO GRATEFUL for bratty brothers. But,
seriously, Andrew is a kind, giving person and he has a great sense of humor.
He’s pretty darn smart and I love him a lot. And just because he’s #13 on the
list does NOT mean he’s the last thing I’m grateful for. I said mine were in no
particular order except for #1. (This is an especially important point given
that I said I was grateful for “toilets” and that is listed above being
grateful for my brother Andrew.)
#14. Darn it. I
can’t be grateful for just one
sibling – I have to include the other two as well. I’m grateful that my brother
John is in my life. For whatever issues he has had, the one thing he taught me
was how to be generous. John was way better at sharing than the rest of us
were. My mom used to say that John would
give you the shirt off his back even if it was the only shirt he had. Personally,
I think that’s because John likes to walk around shirtless so he can show off all
his tattoos, but that’s just a theory.
#15. And, finally…
(No, really, this is the last one I’m going to write down. I swear!) I’m really
grateful for my sister Denise. There truly is no one in your life like a
sister. She and I shared a room growing up – and even shared a couple
residences through the years as adults. I love her so much. She and her husband
Joe make the long drive from Milwaukee to Ohio several times every year to
spend time with family – and it has given me the chance to be a part of their
lives and watch my niece, Chloe, grow up. And for that and so much more, I’m
truly grateful.
So there you have
it. My Gratitude List. Is this all-encompassing? Nope, not by a long shot. I
would’ve had to include my cats, Twinks and Jinx, and a whole slew of other people by name. But it does
make me realize that I have much to be grateful for. And even if I don’t write down these lists on a regular basis, it has given me a new perspective.
I guess that
means I can’t complain about anything today.
Hmm.
Where’s the
chocolate?
