Gratitude

noun

“the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness”

It sounds simple enough.

But living it, well, that’s a different story.

I’ve always been a thankful person. I have good manners. I am appreciative when someone does something nice for me, and I’ve taught my kids to do the same. But just because we’re polite doesn’t necessary mean we live with gratitude.

Not at all.

I never really understood what living with gratitude meant, until last year. I’m not glad I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and had to go through chemotherapy. I’m not glad I had my life flash before me, and had to put my kids through this.

I’m not completely insane.

However, I recognize a lot of good things came from the experience. And one of these good things, is the amount of gratitude I live with everyday. I have a deeper appreciation for my life today, what I have, and how lucky I am.

And I know I didn’t live with this level of gratefulness before last year.

How many times have we heard someone say, “I didn’t know what I had, until it was gone.”

Why is this? Why don’t we appreciate what we have, when it’s right in front of us? Why do we have to lose someone or something before we fully recognize how lucky we were to actually have it or them in the first place? Is it because we’re too consumed with the details of life? Are we too busy to take the time to really open our eyes to see what’s in front of us?

I hope not. But, it’s easy to do.

We get caught up in the normal chaos of our lives. We don’t stop to look around us, at all that we have, unless something happens that forces us to do so. I was forced to do so.

Make the conscious decision to open your eyes, and really see what’s in front of you. Be thankful for being alive. You might not like everything about your situation, but I can promise you, there are blessings in your life now, regardless of whatever is going on. And having an appreciation for all that you are blessed with can bring you tremendous joy.

Living with gratitude can be the difference between living in black and white versus living in color. It will make your life richer, brighter, and more vivid. Take the time to see the true blessings that surround you everyday, and to fully appreciate each day for what it is. This will add a quality to your life you didn’t know could exist.

And I don’t know about you, but I choose to live in color, always.

Find meaning each day,

Dara