At times, our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.

Albert Schweitzer

I’ve been thinking a lot about how blessed I am, and the countless reasons I have to be grateful. It’s a topic I think about quite a bit, but lately, more than usual. Last week, a dear friend said that I was one of the most grateful people she’s ever known – that seriously warmed my whole heart. However, I know that I could stand to focus more on all I have instead of the things I may not.

In the Fall, I made the possibly catastrophic decision to double my course load in school. My advisor worked hard to dissuade me since I was already a full-time student, but I felt it was the right choice for me at my age. Although it’s been indescribably exhausting and demanding, I have somehow maintained my 3.97 GPA… Talk about grateful!

On December 31, I made a few lofty New Year’s resolutions and realized that I have access to every single resource needed to complete each one. This may not seem huge, but I was blown away by the magnitude of my blessings!

So far, every day this year, I have spent quality time with someone special who made me feel loved and appreciated. Perhaps that doesn’t qualify as miraculous, but I couldn’t be more grateful for having such amazing humans in my life.

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This week, I want to accentuate the positive and actively focus on gratitude. We all have incalculable reasons to be grateful; why not spread the joy!?

So, every morning I will start a Thankful/Grateful post where I’ll list the things I’m feeling grateful for that day. But I don’t want to do it alone. I am requesting that you send me your daily list of gratitude as well. It could be one thing or several, just remember that we’re doing this Monday-Sunday, and I’d LOVE to hear from you every day.

I will add your comments, texts, emails, etc., to the post as you send them… BUT YOU HAVE TO SEND THEM!!! Of course, they can be anonymous if you’d prefer; just let me know.

I’m excited!

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.

William Arthur Ward

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*Apologies for missing last Sunday’s post. I was buried in school work and got it all turned in with literally one minute to spare.