GRATITUDE MONTH: DAY 12: “My expectations were reduced to zero when I was 21. Everything since then has been a bonus.” New York Times Magazine Interview, December 12, 2004 ― Stephen Hawking
No one I know has respect for entitlement. It is rather repulsive to listen to those who are blessed with recovery and the basic ingredients of life whine about this and that.
I think we all do it from time to time. But it is very important to become aware of how much in this world we are given and take for granted. Health, physical capabilities, a roof over our heads, cars, jobs, beds, clothing and adequate food.
Most of us can choose what we eat for any given meal, able to decide when and how long we can take a shower, read a book, drive a car, walk, sing, talk, text, and all other forms of life that are common in our culture.
I made a list this morning of just the things I can do because I have arms and legs. Took 3 pages and 20 minutes of my day. WOW! Do I EVER take those things for granted! I would have so little of my life as it exists today left should either of those things leave me. I have had temporary injuries that disabled both my arms and my legs on several occasions and it was horrible. So, I can write 3 pages of gratitude for things that I do every day, all the time; and I did.
Some days I forget what a blessing it is to breathe. I was born with such severe asthma that I spent quite a few months out of my first 8 years in oxygen tents in hallways in hospitals. That is all they could do in those days. The medications were non-existent and my mother was told I may not make that first year. Breathing is a big deal! Ask someone who has COPD. That sucks!
I am also grateful that I went to a parochial school as a child. That gave me a big boost in the early part of my education, because I gained discipline and study habits that kept me at the top of my classes for the rest of my life (so far). And, quite honestly, I can say without doubt that I NEVER, EVER thanked anyone for those nuns until I began this practice!
I love that I can see and hear and taste and smell and touch. Life would be sad if I could not read with my eyes. I read SO MUCH! And love it more every day! Discovering new books is better than meeting a new friend, for me. Less work of “getting to know you” stuff. And I keep them to read again and again if they are a good friend.
There are only a few animals or creatures of any kind (except people!) on this planet that I am not happy are here. I am dubious about snakes…and most spiders, although I save them most often, cockroaches and potato bugs, and scorpions. Now, I do enjoy most other reptiles, although I give wide berth to alligators…they were around a lot where I lived in FLA…and I have not encountered a crocodile, but don’t see myself going there much. Almost every species of furry critter is my friend. I act like Ellie Mae Clampet about animals, I think. So, there are animals on my list often too.
My encounters with trees and plants are beautiful! I have probably planted 500 or 600 trees in my lifetime. They are a testimony to my faith in Nature to astonish me and take my breath away, time after time. I have hugged thousands of trees…yeah, that girl!
Flowers and plants, especially food-bearing intrigue and fascinate me. I love to learn about them, grow them, touch them, and share in their journey.
And the most common thing I hear from those I work with…I am not happy, waaaaah! That is inside work. If you don’t do the work, you will NEVER be happy. The feeling you get with a new partner, a new car, a new home, a new anything is fleeting and will not last. You must then be on your way to the next new thing…and the next…ad infinitum. There is no happiness there, just need and trying to glom on to things to fill you up…oh, yeah…sounds like addiction to me! Clean out your guts, stop listening to your head, get out of SELF, get on with LIVING life instead of texting, tweeting, fbing and thinking about it. Take a few minutes to shift your shitty attitude and GO LIVE. As for me, I am busy doing just that!
Dolphin Hug 