Gratitude

“Not all who wander are lost.” JR Tolkien

I have done a lot of wandering in this life, and once in a while I thought I was lost.  I was ready to give up.  I had no more in me. The last couple of years have been especially tough with a lot of changes and adjustments.

I feel like I have crossed the desert and arrived at the spring lately.  I know the journey continues, but I think, I hope, I will just sit here in the silence, listen to my heart beat and be thankful.

Thankful for everything and everyone in my life.  Even in my mediocre American life, I am so incredibly decadent compared to half of the world.  I have in my life been without food, without shelter, without love, without support, but I have never had to worry about my children being killed on their way to or from school, or sold into slavery;  I have spoke up for my beliefs, but I have never had to make them a life or death stance; I am incredibly lucky to have what I have and am going to try to make it a conscious effort to go beyond gratitude and honor these gifts by  sharing more, smiling more, loving more, accepting more, hugging more, listening more, helping more, seeking out more ways to connect.

This is big.  An impossibility?  Doesn’t matter.  My spirit will be better for it.