I have had a pretty crappy week. Stuff has just been coming at me and have had a lot of adversity. Crap.
On top of that I was asked to speak at an AA meeting on Gratitude. Now in the last 18 & 1/2 years I've spoken on this subject many times, but this time....

I got up and started my canned version. Then stopped in mid sentence. I realized this was gonna be different. Too much time is spent on problems. My kids problems, my problems, friends problems, eons problems, global problems. I wondered out loud why that's so. Why do we, the global we, spend so much of our time devoted to problems.

Is it not true that each day we arise to new opportunities, a new 24 hours, a new moment in time when we can choose how the day ends. We can choose to look in the mirror while doing our morning teeth cleaning and see a true survivor, see beauty, see knowledge, experience true acceptance of all that we are. We can spend our day engaged in worthwhile activities, instead of somebody else's drama and dysfunction. Or even better, not engage in our own. We can spend our time experiencing our own worth, instead of wallowing in the mire of experiences we can never change.
We can accept the fact that our experiences have allowed us to know and understand things about others, and about ourselves, so many people can not perceive. We can choose to channel our knowledge and understanding in positive and worthwhile endeavers. We can share these things with others and truly make a difference. We are here. That fact, in and of itself speaks volumes about our desire to move forward and become who and what we want to be.

We have overcome! And for that I feel true Gratitude.

I am grateful I breathe. I am grateful I feel my emotions, and can express my feelings. I am grateful for me. I am grateful for those people who love me and I love back. I am grateful I have a roof over my head and food to eat. I am grateful for every opportunity I have. I am grateful!!

Thanks for allowiing me to express my thoughts. I am grateful.