Gratitude

Ali over at Our Patch recently created a list of 100 things she is grateful for-something that is of utmost importance as positive thinking really does create positive surroundings. While last week landed me at a stressful high, somehow on the downward slope of that stress things have gotten easier. I don't know if it's because I finally remembered that I can only do or control so much, but taking that evening for myself and remembering to rely beyond myself really made a difference (and has continued to make a diference throughout this week as well).

So here are just some of the things I am grateful for:
-Relief from thoughts
-Answers to prayers
-The gentle feel of early spring in the air
-The sweet tweet of the birds I hear as I walk
-Piles of blankets on my bed
-Coffee w/ a new friend yesterday
-Soymilk that doesn't coagulate in my coffee
-The happiness I see on my nephews' faces
-The verbal discourses with my brother
-The strength and vitality of my sister
-The unconditional love of my father
-Observations of friends who demonstrate passion for life
-Singing and dancing in the car
-My relationship with my granny
-All the sensations of the beach
-Slight drizzles
-Growing herbs on my table
-Sweaters and jeans
-Moving past challenges
-Learning in all its various forms
-Re-reading a good book
-Conversations with my cousins
-Being able to support individuals in my life
-The ability to feel
-Freedom, no matter how I might complain about my country I am grateful for the freedoms I do have here
-Change on the horizon
-Natural fuzzy slippers
-Fresh fruits and veggies
-Opening of a new, hopefully quieter apartment
-Hot water for showers
-Student loans to fund my education
-Clothes washers
-Washing dishes by hand
-Pictures of good times
-Moments of celebration no matter how small
-The beach house
-Window benches made with love
-Budgeting and savings
-Giving to others
-The act of knitting
-Having people to listen
-Good Health
-Actually having health insurance again
-Having something to believe in
-Feelings of contribution
-Optimism
-Leap years
-Snail mail
-Breathing
-The memory of poppa and what he stood for
-Dreams for the future
-Achieving goals
-The gift of love
-Reconnecting with old friends
-Seagulls in the downtown park
-The coming of baseball season
-Opening of doors
-Walking
-Languages
-Learning about new cultures
-Art forms
-Mending clothes
-the gift of TIME

AND SO MUCH MORE.....