Recently a friend challenged me to take the gratitude trial. I was to list three things I was thankful for each day, for five days. It’s a pretty small effort. Most of us can find fifteen things for which we are grateful. I accepted the challenge and completed it. I passed the test on to two of my sisters and a friend.
What I found was that I have a LOT to be grateful for. I was surprised when I started typing my thoughts down for Facebook. Everyone addresses this differently. I’ve seen one word responses, such as “chocolate,” and I’ve seen paragraphs describing a mother’s love for each of her daughters. Everyone responds to this differently, but each of them must stop and think about the quality of their life before they can answer.
I’m a list maker. I spend a lot of time listing what needs to be done, and fretting when something on the list keeps getting carried over. I am an impatient person, and I want to resolve issues NOW! I was surprised that many of the things for which I m grateful are those which have come to me over time: having lived to the age of 65, having three lovely grandgirls and a grandson, having a roof over my head and a place to lay my head at night. Yes, I like chocolate, too, but it seemed that it was the big things in my life that came to me first.
I’m fortunate to have an established exercise class which gets me up and running three days a week. I’ve been going to that class for so long that the members feel like family to me, and I’ve taken two of my sisters, and a niece to the class. Now that Dear Husband has retired, he goes with me to class. A dozen or so of the members babysat my indoor plants while we were between houses. How’s THAT for friendship!
I also participate in a small group that makes lapquilts for those in need. I consider those ladies to be friends, too, and would do anything they need. We only meet once a month, but we keep in touch by e-mail, and I’m astonished at how hard they work. I love it when I see their names pop up in my mail.
I think I may continue listing three things for which I am grateful for a while. I’m interested to see where this will take me. I know it sounds a bit hokey, but I encourage you to give it a try. You might learn something about yourself in the process!
What a nice listing. It is obvious that you’ve always been thankful for the things/relationships that you list because we, over the years, have been privileged to read about them.
As an Atheist, I cannot use the word “thankful” for the way I feel (whom would I be thankful to????); but, there is much in my own life about which I am glad. Thanks for the challenge. I’ll mull on it.
Cop Car, I’m boggled by your comment. I’ve been trying to think how to express how I feel without using the words “thankful,” or “grateful.” I’m having trouble finding other terms to describe how I feel about my good fortune, and I’m coming up empty.
I hope that when you’ve given this some thought you will come back and comment a little further. I’m interested in how you feel about this aspect of your life and how it contrasts with mine. Mull on!
I’m pretty much happy/glad that I was born into as privileged a position in the world as I was; that I can recognize the lack of privilege that so many endure; and that I feel motivated to help address some small part in improving positions for others. Not one of those things is “perfect”; but, each could be a whole lot worse!
Cop Car, you are an amazing woman, and I’m very fortunate to call you my friend!
Back at you! We are so very different; but, I definitely appreciate the wonderful person that you are. Why else would I have voted “Yea” on having you join our blog family?
It’s lovely to be a part of your clan! I see several of the next generation over at Facebook, and I’ve just signed up to receive Helen Fletcher’s blog. Wow, can she bake!! It may be dangerous that I get her posts electronically because the recipes make me DROOL! lol (Of course I drool when I sleep, so maybe that’s not such a great commendation! lol) Happy Days to all in the clan!