Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.
-- Melody Beattie
I love this quote. It's beautifully true and full of hope. There is a serenity and warmth about it, and makes my soul smile.
Over the past couple months I have felt more thankful than ever. Which, by the way, is difficult to imagine, as I consider myself fairly aware of just how lucky and truly blessed my life is. (I also think I am pretty good at vocalizing that gratitude to the people in my life too; A trait I am quite happy to brag about.)
There are so many particular instances and so many larger things, it's a mosaic of appreciation. From cooking a successful Thanksgiving dinner with my husband and catching up with my girlfriend over a long phone call, to spending time with my new family and being able to laugh freely. I don't think a day goes by that I don't feel it or think it. It comes from the wildest of places too - that bright blue San Franciscan sky, the smiling homeless man in front of the Walgreens down the street, the sound of someone singing in the shower, a friend telling a joke, the free samples of cheese and chocolate from the shop around the corner, my mother's long-winded stories, the smell of the eucalyptus wreath in our house, warm gloves... just to name a few.
Just wanted to say "thanks".
