Count Your Blessings!

Count Your Blessings!

  

What you think about manifests itself prominently in your life. Take time to appreciate what you have and all that you are. If you’re feeling so down that you can’t think of anything you’re grateful for, consider these powerful gifts—keep in mind they’re only a fraction of the many you possess.

Can you see?

If so, take a moment to be grateful for your vision. Savor a radiant sunrise, new buds on a tree, the beauty of snowflakes on a winter day. Don’t forget the ability to read an entrancing book—it’s priceless.

Can you hear?

With a fresh awareness, enjoy your favorite music, the voices of your loved ones, the sound of children’s laughter, the wind whistling through the pine trees, a crackling fire on a frigid day. Imagine having to live without hearing.

Can you speak?

With your words, you can console a loved one, comfort a child, say, “I love you,” and inspire others to action. Speaking through the written word is a gift in itself. Be grateful for your writing talent.

Can you smell?

Close your eyes and inhale deeply through your nose. Imagine the fragrance of spring flowers, the cologne of a loved one, Thanksgiving dinner, the sharp, pure smell of fresh snowfall. You can smell them all without even having them near. 

You can think!

We take for granted our ability to think, to direct our lives, control our destinies. How amazing it is to be able to read a book, or write one. The gift of thought and learning has no price tag. Cherish it!

The more you are grateful for, the more you will learn to love your life. Write down ten things you are grateful for and look at them often. Think about how much better it is to dwell on all the things you’re grateful for than spending time mired in negative thoughts.

Dear readers,

I wish all of you a happy, healthy Thanksgiving Day, full of good food and surrounded by loved ones. Many of us aren’t able to experience a Norman Rockwell-perfect holiday, and because of it, don’t take time to enjoy what we do have. My own family has dwindled over the years, and holidays aren’t what they used to be. I’ve learned to relish what I do have: a visit from my son, dinner in a fine restaurant, or even a day alone to spend as I wish. Many people don’t even have these.

Let’s count our blessings.

Marla