Lately, I’ve been doing something that feels a lot like kindergarten -- I’ve been making lists of things that I’m thankful for. I make lists on paper and on my laptop and on my phone. The more I write, the more I see. The more I see and write, the more I relax and enjoy my days. It is good.
It protects me from self-pity. Just this morning, poor-me-I’m-feeling-sick became thank-You-for-so-many-healthy-days.
It invites me to celebrate what I have instead of complaining about not having enough (time or energy or creative ideas or whatever).
It helps me to enjoy the treasure in people (myself included) instead of finding fault.
It gives me perspective in hard times. When there is seemingly-bad business news, I can say thank-You for yet another chance to let go of expectations and the illusion of control.
It lets me appreciate what I accomplish in a day instead of haranguing myself about the things left undone.
It teaches me to live eyes-wide-open and ears-wide-open and arms-wide-open.
It is good.
“It is good to give thanks to the Lord. . . .” Psalm 92:1