An attitude of gratitude

Preach! Just kidding, no preaching here, but today I’m thinking about gratitude and the impact it has had on my life, health, wellbeing, relationships, and happiness. You see, I do stumble and fall. I do have low points. I grieve, sometimes wallow in my hardships, and every now and then, feel a little sorry for myself. But at the end of the day, I always have this little something in my back pocket, and that something is gratitude.

On a daily basis, I do not count the things that are happening in my life that aren’t all that great, but the ones that are good. Big or small, there is always something to be grateful for. Some days, it’s the cup of coffee in my hand. Some days, it’s the fact that the sun is shining bright. Some days, it’s getting to go out for a run. And every day, I am grateful for the big gifts I have been given in life: my family, friends, freedom, opportunities, health, access to education, support system, and the list goes on and on. There is so much to be grateful for.

Having an attitude of gratitude doesn’t mean life will be perfect, or that you won’t or don’t experience difficult things; but it will help to pull you through those difficult things,  to live better, and to feel better, every day. Gratitude has allowed me to laugh at those terrible days, you know, the ones where anything and everything goes wrong, from the moment you drag yourself out of bed to the moment you throw yourself back into it. Gratitude has helped me to look on the brighter side of things, instead of dwelling on the negative. Gratitude has allowed me to step outside of myself and look beyond my own problems, so that I could really see the bigger picture: so that I could really see the things that matter in life. Gratitude has allowed me to build stronger relationships; to be a better mother, wife, daughter, sister, and friend. It’s made a me a better human being.

Oh, gratitude. It’s the gift that keeps on giving. I’ve never heard anyone complain about having a grateful heart, have you? The best part is that anyone can have it. Everyone can benefit from it. And it’s free! You just have to embrace it. You can have nothing and still be grateful. You can have everything and still be grateful.

At our house, at the end of each day, we ask the kids what their favourite part of their day was. Hayley always chooses one thing, often times, more than one. We ask Ryder, and although he can’t respond with words, we speculate about what the best part of his day might have been. And then we share our favourite part of our own day. And what I find really, truly fascinating, is that even at the end of a hard day, we always find something that made us happy, something to be thankful for.

I talk a lot about the challenges we face as a family, but we have so many blessings too. Having a child with complex needs has been a gift in itself, albeit, sometimes wrapped in pretty complicated paper. No, the suffering, the struggles, the scares are not a gift, but the rest certainly is. I have learned so much about life, love, and happiness from our amazing boy. Being Ryder and Hayley’s Mom is the greatest gift I could ever ask for.

Today, I’m especially grateful for the people I have in my life. The friends and family who encourage and inspire me; who don’t even always realize they are pushing me to be a better, stronger, kinder person. I’m grateful to be surrounded by such strength, positivity, grace, and generosity.

No matter where you are in your life, I encourage you to take a moment, every day, to think about the things you are grateful for. Go out into the world with a grateful heart. Give to others the kindness you wish to have in your life. Give not to receive, but because it just feels good! The smallest gesture can change the entire direction of someone else’s day. Give thanks to the people in your life, even if it’s as simple as checking in to say hello. Phone your mother. And father! Give a dollar to charity. Tell someone they matter. Say hello to someone you see walking down the street. Hug somebody. Say you’re sorry if you made a mistake. Be present.

Life is good: even when it’s not great. If you walk through this life with an attitude of gratitude, I can guarantee, you’ll never regret it. So, what are you grateful for today?