I celebrated another birthday…well, celebrated is not the right word. I did welcome another year of life since it’s much better than close proximity inside a pine box, but instead of full-on excitement I was a bit down. There is so much I want to do (and have yet to accomplish) and negative thinking began to crop up. I began to consider how far along I could be, how much I could have done in my 42 years if only I had been focused and dedicated towards my various goals.
When I started to whine to a close girlfriend I’ve known since high school she swiped me on my forehead. Really, she power-palmed me with her neat, manicured hand and told me to stop the drama. You’re the same girl – she reminded me – that has earned a MBA, has a happy marriage going on nineteen years, two beautiful children, and a nice home, so why…why am I complaining? Because there is more, I said to her, so much more that I’ve planned for my life. Then do it, she said, but don’t act like your life has been a failure so far. You’re not dead, she scolded me, and there is nothing to stop you from accomplishing more, but first start appreciating what you have. Be happy with what you have now.
I am learning that gratitude requires discipline and must be exercised regularly. It’s a muscle I must activate daily or the dull-drums, self-defeat, and antagonistic thinking will surely crop up. For each of us, there is something to wake up and cheer about, even if it’s being able to hurl one foot off the bed to the floor…to be able to move and breathe. Today, I received news that the Oakland Press wants me to write a weekly column. Cheers! But, then I began to think, wow, if only this had happened sooner, like ten years ago. Imagine, I could be writing for the New Yorker Magazine by now. Silence. I know, time to exercise that gratitude muscle again.
What I am praying for regularly in 2010 is not to focus on what’s not done, but what will be done as I move forward, grateful for every opportunity, every goal achieved, and thankful for all the wonder and souls that enrich my life, right now.
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