I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, and changing your world. You’re doing things you’ve never done before, and more importantly, you’re doing something. ~Neil Gaiman
Gratitude is something that’s encouraged, it’s something that we are told if we’re grateful for all that we have, it creates room for more things to be grateful for. How easy is that? It’s not always easy to be grateful, and how is gratitude measured? If you’re ill are you grateful that you’re still alive to fight the illness? Are you grateful for your family as well as the expenses that come with raising a family? If you’re grateful for your job, are you also grateful for the long hours, the office politics that come with it, and being undervalued on that job? Gratitude is selective, we can be grateful for anything that we have but not everything that surrounds us.
It’s difficult to smile in the face of adversity when it seems that adversity is all that you’re facing. I have always prided myself on living in gratitude and being faithful to everything I believe in, I believe in the kindness of mankind even when they’re not so kind. I lived in hope, love, and joy even on days when I can find none. I believe in miracles even when there is none in sight because I believe that faith takes us to the brink of our breaking point, then pulls us back to the point where that miracle happens.
As I smiled on the dying year, I was a bit apprehensive in asking God for a better year than the last year. On the surface, it was difficult to remain in gratitude and faithful when my world seemed to be falling apart. It was difficult to pray when my most significant prayers seem to go unanswered. But in all things, I gave thanks for each day I have with my family, each day I have to build my faith and grow in strength to face whatever this year may bring with it. My only hope is that it’s more kind, more gentle than the last, and definitely filled with miracles.
When I think about all the things I continue to pray for, I’m reminded……
1. To be thankful for every day.
2. To smile, just because! A smile makes even the worse days better.
3. To reach out and help others with an uplifting hand, without expecting anything in return.
4. To remember that it is never too late to say ‘Thank you or ‘I am
sorry.
5. To eat ice cream often-lol! No seriously, eat ice cream. In fact, eat anything you want, this life is short and you don’t know when you’ll be by this way again.
6. To appreciate family and friends as a very special gift. Rather than a convenience.
7. To P.U.S.H- Pray Until Something Happen and pray often.
8. To Take care of myself. I have one body, one mind and I don’t know how long I’m going to need them.
Simply Etta 