Gratitude

Three Months later… It has been three months since my last post "Whispers of Change." I have enjoyed the unannounced break. Besides this being the last Wondorous Wednesday of the year, so much has happened for me, and how about you?

I’ve been contemplating of writing and I’m grateful that I’m here with you again. Gratitude has been my pill and I would like to reflect a bit on it. One of my favourite authors; Marianne Williamson, whom I learned about on the Oprah Book club with her book A Return to Love, later A Year of Miracles says, “Gratitude is an opener of locked-up blessings” and I couldn’t agree more.

Not only does it unlock blessings, but it is also a practice that invites us to be thankful for everything in life.

Something to be grateful for...

If you look around your life you will see quite a lot of things to be grateful for. I appreciate there may be some people reading this who have gone through significant life events, and may not see anything to be grateful for. We do have those days; THAT IS LIFE, however let that not deter you from remembering that there is so much to be grateful for.

You are reading this post, it means you are alive, you have internet and can read – that alone is something to be grateful for. You are probably drinking coffee or sipping on some good wine – another thing to be grateful for. You’ve also had a meal, made someone smile and someone somewhere is dependent on you and looking up to you. That too, is something to be grateful for. So much has happened in my life this year and I am grateful. A lot of my goals have been accomplished. I am also surrounded by people in my life who just ooze gratitude and contentment. They could be stranded conquering mountains with rain pouring down on their heads and a pack of angry dogs barking at them from the bushes nearby, and they would find something positive about the situation. That is contagious and adds a lot in me that is able to see greatness all around.

A couple of weeks ago, myself and a handful of friends met for our "end of the year” drinks at some eatery in Fourways - Johannesburg, the service was slow, instead of complaining, one friend said “friend let's not sweat it, our waitress may be overwhelmed by the busyness of these season, it is best we focus on being together and be grateful we made time to celebrate each other as friends” that stayed with me.

I have adopted the "glass half full." I have learned to find the good in situations that don't seem obviously good. This half full glass way annoyed my former boyfriend, he called it positive toxicity which I do not agree with. I just think he needs more practice seeing the positive side of the not so positive things that happen in our lives. (Maybe it is also good that he is now referred to in terms of “former”) He will need little reminders every now and then LoL.

Anyway, getting back to gratitude, it is good to jot down your grateful moments as a reminder. Many people keep a gratitude journal. I use a gratitude jar. This is just a simple jar that I bought at Mr Price Home (you can get it anywhere really) and I put a conscious entry every morning of atleast three things I am grateful for.

Gratitude Jar

It’s never about discounting life’s daily challenges but allowing yourself to recognize that amongst the many clouds, there is always a silver lining.

So, this are some of the things I am grateful for:

• My healthy mind and body

• Ability to run and hike the mountains

• New beginnings

• A nice cup of coffee

• Accomplishing my goals

• Warm sun on my face

• The beautiful rain

• Online banking

• Online shopping

• Good books

• Scented Candles

• Fresh Crisp Linen

• Wine

• Good friends, good conversations and a great laugh

• Peanut butter and milk

• Love…and finding love again

• Being a Mom to Ngidumi and Masedi

• My beautiful sisters

• Social Media

• Informative and Wholesome Podcasts

• Simple things in life

• This present moment

• The possibilities tomorrow hold

• The threesome I sometimes have with my two kids squashed in one bed (just like today)

• Our family traditions

Few days before Christmas my knees locked and I could not move, I was in so much agonizing pain, I thought the worst. Thankfully my kids were wise enough to phone my elder sister who then rushed me to ER. Shortly after that, all my sisters were flocking at my hospital bed

We often don’t realize how essential family is until a major challenge occurs. I feel very grateful and blessed to have a family that is there for me, come what may. Close to family, there is nothing more essential than supportive, kind and loving friends together with the community you live in. I am so very blessed to have "my tribe" of this calibre. So what things are you grateful for in 2022? Take time to ponder, and jot down, atleast 12 things you are grateful for plus the 12 people that supports or supported your day-to-day life. Write them a personal note acknowledging their contribution.

Finally, I’m grateful for the opportunity to write this blog. I hope it brings you many reasons to start or continue with a gratitude jar. I wish you many beautiful grateful moments in life. As the Apostle Paul clearly states "…In everything give thanks…" Until Next Year

Make it a Dope Wondrous Wednesday Likha~Biso ️