Finding Gratitude

Gratitude. It’s something I’m starting and ending each day with. It’s easy to go through our days looking at our problems or “To Do” lists and just get stressed out. You don't have to feel great to be grateful. 

I find it’s the little things that happen daily that I'm most thankful for. I’d normally gloss over those “little things” because I’d be focusing on the big things overwhelming me. So, I’ve been writing those little things down. Here are just some of the small things that I’ve had BIG gratitude for the last 24 hours. 

I am Grateful for….

1. Waking up
2. Being able to roll over in bed with no pain
3. Being able to eat and taste a tiny more
4. My healthcare and insurance
5. My job
6. Family and friends
7. The sun
8. My apartment
9. The Aura phone app
10. Being able to take a deep breath

Take a moment to think about what you’re thankful for right now. Come up with three things. Now… if you want… take a closer look at why the list you’ve come up with fills you with gratitude. Here is my closer look from 1-10.

1. I know not everyone in this world will rise with the sun today. He/She may earn their angel wings. I was blessed to be able to rise with the sun again.

2. Sounds silly, right? but when you have cancer in your bones you have aches and pains. Rolling over and walking can legit be a pain. Getting out of bed may be difficult. When that pain goes away there is freedom to move. 

3. Week three post chemo means my appetite and taste are a little better! My tastebuds re-awaken a bit. I enjoy what I can as I know they’ll go back to sleep in 24 hours.

4. I would not be here today without my medical team and science. Each day is gifted time for me. While chemo, radiation, etc is not fun… it extends my life and grants me more time with those I love. Insurance— not everyone has it or is able to afford it. The chemo alone is $23,124 per infusion. That’s not counting the other medication I get for my bones or anything else!

5. My job gives me a routine and sense of community. It provides me with security as well.

6. That community my job gives me includes friends… friends that are like family…. and my family. I wouldn’t be here today without their love and support. 

7. The sun! That I can feel it and see it! On Summer days like today I think back on my times in the hospital. I sometimes feared I may not get to feel or see the sun again.

8. My apartment gives me peace. There are no pests or dead bodies! (That’s another story for another time). There is comfort, central AC, a beautiful deck, and a cozy bed in my apartment. Oh! A beautiful look at Lake Michigan too.

9. Serenity. The Aura phone app has been lulling me to sleep and introducing me to meditation that is just the right amount of time for me to appreciate. I’ve tried many meditation apps. This is my favorite one.

10. Deep breaths. The ability to take a deep breath in and fill your body with liquid gold energy of air means life. It means relaxation. It’s a new day. Breathe it in.

I hope this helps you remember that even though we are all going through our own struggles there is something to always be grateful for. 

“After the rain, the sun will reappear. There is life. After the pain, the joy will still be here.” 

-Walt Disney Company