Practice of Gratitude

One of my personal  goals is to wake up grateful every morning.  Some days it’s easy; some very difficult.

The mass gunning down of unwary grocery shoppers and innocent children makes my heart ache. I particularly grieve for and with the families of the school children.  I struggle to understand how we as a society have come to the place where the institutions of churches and schools are not safe places. None of this makes me happy or grateful.

Almost every time there is another mass shooting, I have to go back to the vary basics of gratitude. I remind myself that I am grateful that I have the ability to hear and see (even the horrible news), I know my kids are OK because they are with me; I can hurt for others and have not become unfeeling; my computer and internet are working.  I am also grateful I live in a country where “we, the people” have a say in solving the problems of politics, guns, and mental illness. I can actually come up with a pretty long list when I work at it!

It is possible to be grateful with what I have in my world while simultaneously being compassionate to others who are in crisis.  I am very fortunate to have food, shelter, and those who love me.