I’m a huge fan of Oprah’s. She’s a significant proponent of literacy, among so many other things. Oprah, like Sarah Ban Breathnach, author of Simple Abundance, is also a proponent of gratitude journals. When my friend Cathy was first diagnosed with Glioblatoma Multiforme, I gave her an empty journal. I encouraged her to use it as her “gratitude journal.” I wanted her to focus on the positive vs. the terrible negatives of her own life-altering disease. I told her that even on her darkest days I wanted her to write down at least one thing per day for which she was grateful. When that journal was filled, I promptly sent along another.
Despite my advice to Cathy, I failed to follow the suggestion myself. Sure, I’ve publicly and privately expressed my thanks to family, colleagues and friends. And, I’ve extended my gratitude to my top-notch team of medical professionals. They all comprise “Team Sunshine” and I’ll always be eternally grateful for their support, comfort, knowledge, and companionship through this journey.
When I talk about “gratitude” here, I’m referencing thankfulness for the little things – those times in the day where you just stop and think, “Hmmmm… I’m living a great life.” Sometimes we actually have to watch closely to catch those moments. Other times, those moments are highly noticeable; they jump right out at us. It’s important to express gratitude, so today I hope you’ll join me as I explore some of the things (this week) for which I am grateful.
1. Valentines Day: it’s the perfect opportunity to bring home a bag of Dove chocolates and hand them to your husband indicating they are an early Valentine’s present. Then, you’re able to dip into the chocolates yourself, because we all know that sharing is the best way to enjoy a gift.
2. Speaking of chocolates, I’ll forever be grateful to Lindt, the makers of Lindor Truffles. Of all the stores I could have visited on Fifth Avenue in New York, their store was the only one on my radar. While the hubby was ransacking Hugo Boss, I was rushing through lanes of traffic just to get my hands on a Lindor Truffle (five bags of them actually). A pure escape. A delightful indulgence. If you’ve never experienced one, don’t wait one day longer.
3. Music: No matter my mood, music will either enhance my spirit or provide a needed attitude adjustment. If you doubt the reason to be thankful for music, imagine your favorite movies without a music soundtrack. Music enhances all that is life.
4. My daily injection treatments: Yesterday I completed important blood work, the final seven tubes of blood needed to complete the diagnostics for my MS treatment plan. I’ve had 17 vials drawn from my badly bruised arms within just the last week. If it weren’t for my now almost cavalier attitude towards needles, thanks to my mandated daily injections, the phlebotomist would have likely been scraping me off either the ceiling or the floor.
5. Babies: This past weekend, I was able to hold one of two twins belonging to a colleague. Molly (and her adorable sister Lilly) is only five months old. Nothing compares to a baby that age – when they still love to have you hold them, and read to them, and nuzzle them. Babies are precious gifts, worthy of my gratitude even when I’m only playing Auntie Kim.
I plan to revisit the topic of gratitude regularly on Sunshine and Moonlight, especially during those trying times when it’s often easy to forget the little things. Won’t you join me today and share something for which you are grateful?
“Won’t you join me today and share something for which you are grateful?”
I have a huge list–because I have been so blessed in my life. But at the top of that list right now is YOU. I am hugely grateful for this opportunity to finally get to know your thoughts, feelings, fears, opinions and dreams. Of course, I already knew something of your phobias, neuroses, and goofy little quirks. And I had just a little inkling of your talent. But it’s nice to finally get to the really good stuff!
Gary and I have a ritual we have practiced every single day since we met. At night, just before we close our eyes, whether we are together or apart, we share our High Point of the day. Sometimes it’s something small, like looking out the window at just the right time to see the mailman laugh and stop for a cuddle when our cat Kirby wraps around his legs. Sometimes it’s a biggie, like feeling a surge of hope during an Obama campaign speech. Since Sunshine and Moonlight have entered my life, very, very often, my High Point of the Day is you! And for that I am grateful!
I’ll join! I’m grateful for my wonderful friends! People like you, who would let me call them at 9:30 while I was walking through Walmart looking for lice treatment and new pillows. People who would let me have a breakdown…despite the moonlight they were walking through themselves…and give me the support I needed to know that everything was going to be ok. I’m grateful for my 3 children. Through everything we have been dealing with this month…they have made me realize what you have been trying to tell people….I.A.R. No matter what we have dealt with, the kids have not had breakdowns of their own (and thank God, cause I would have had to be committed if they would have lost it). I’m extremely grateful for my step-daughter. She has helped me out in so many ways for so many years I can’t even begin to tell you. And when things got completely out of control here, she rolled up her sleeves and jumped right in to help out. I have so many wonderful people in my life and these ones are just scratching the surface. LIFE IS GOOD!!!
I could write an entire blog about this…and, in fact, I might do just that & link to yours…but…here’s a short list off the top of my head.
Today, I am extremely grateful the support system of friends and family I have to help me when school is canceled and I’ve got a 9 a.m. meeting. School delays and cancellations throw most working parents into crisis mode. I not only had help, but options — my awesome babysitter, Grandma A, Grandma B or my sister-in-law. I have a lot of people in my life who love my kids and take good care of them when I can’t — and, for that, I am truly grateful.
I’m grateful for I.M. — which is about the only way I can maintain my close friendship with a colleague who’s now half way across the building. We make each other laugh all day — even when we go days without actually seeing each other.
I’m grateful for the warm-up in the weather. It feels like spring when it gets above 40 in January.
I’m grateful for good friends who share my passion for running and meet me at 5:30 a.m. so we can run. And, I’m grateful that they listen to me blather on endlessly about my life. I swear I should pay my running partner for his time because he is part therapist for me.
I’m grateful for a husband who likes to cook and doesn’t mind doing laundry — because I despise doing both.
I’m grateful for coffee. It makes me feel warm inside and out.
I’m grateful for Sirius satellite radio. Like, you, Kim, music is central to my life and I love satellite radio with it’s 150+ channels of everything you can imagine (seriously…you should get satellite radio, Kim…go with Sirius if you want the NFL network…and you know that I’m not an official rabid football fan).
I’m grateful for the NFL. I wrote an article called, “the Girl’s Guide to Football” in Her Times two years ago and I got hooked. Big time. Seriously. It’s just wrong. But, I love it. I cannot wait for Sunday when I will absolutely be rooting for Eli and the Jets.
I’m grateful for my faith. We joined a Lutheran church near our house and I can’t explain why…but I feel better when I go there. It reminds me that nothing is really in my control anyway. I have much more peace in my life now.
I could go on & on….but, I will eat up all your server space.
I’m grateful for a lot of stuff too…lol…but at the moment ..I’m grateful Heather has joined the “NFL” club! lol..Now..if we could just get her to eat a BURGER!!!!
Which reminds me…I’m grateful for tofu.
JK — believe it or not, I’ve never even eaten tofu! But…I do eat chicken & turkey again (body was screamin’ for protein). Of course, I only eat it when someone else makes it for me — like Subway or the Plymouth or the husband.
Hmmm…the Plymouth. Now that’s something I’ll be eternally grateful for. (If you’re not from Erie, it’s a bar that’s reminiscent of Cheers!). In fact Ms. Heather, I’ll be extremely grateful if we old friends could all get together there sometime. Lunch, dinner?
Hubby — you made me spit out my lunch there. Leave the poor burger-phobic gal alone! At least she’s a tried and true Steeler fan now and has the common sense not to root for Pretty Boy Brady!
Wow! I spent the whole day, yesterday, thinking about what I’m grateful for. Thanks for putting my mind back in the right direction.
And, when I got to my volunteer job, I was asked to look over some newsletter items and, lo and behold, there was one about gratitude and gratitude journals. Of course, I, personally, take that as Divine intervention.
I can’t list all my thoughts – it would take up too much space. But, as for having MS, I’m grateful for Avonex, which has slowed the progression to a near halt; the privilage of having health insurance to help pay for the Avonex; the ability to function near normally; the ability to laugh at myself when I fumble; the freedom to not have to work outside the home; and, finally, but not least, discovering Kim’s Blog and finding a new friend who is also a chocoholic and a Steeler fan! And, I don’t need an excuse to buy Dove – it’s the best!
I think I’ll dust of an old journal which is mostly blank and start a Gratitude Journal. Thanks, again, for the reminder.
Wishing you sunshine!
I love Sarah Ban Breathnach’s ‘Simple Abundance’ daybook of comfort and joy, it was a gift from my daughter when I was diagnosed with MS. It made such a difference in how I began to look at things, the little things. I read it over again every year.
I have so much to be thankful for.
I became a grandmother four months ago to the most beautiful boy. Everytime I look at him I am still in awe, and am reminded of the wonderful ‘circle of life’
I’m grateful for avonex that is keeping me on the right track with the MS. I’m grateful for the sunny day we had yesterday in the midst of a weeks worth of cloudy snowy days. I’m grateful for my cozy warm apartment and the wonderul hot cup of coffee I am sipping as I type this.
I am thankful I found this blog that I look forward to reading daily.