So here's the reason for this.....

I got a message on FB from an old messageboard buddy, who also does life coaching. She had offered April as "30 Days of Gratitude" -- and boy, do I need it.

I did this in November, when it seemed everyone on FB was doing it in honor of Thanksgiving, etc. I promise you, I had a pretty decent month because I took time each morning to ponder what, really, I was grateful for that day.

Lately, my life has been such a cyclone of chaos, I can't even begin to unravel it all. Work is fine -- I have a job, but the stress of having to juggle two very different tasks is beginning to get to me. Home is .... well, I hate that I have been so moody and snappy with my loved ones. I have been overdone for several weeks now. You don't have to remind me -- this isn't healthy by any stretch. I know that sooner or later, I have to take care of myself better or it will not be a pretty meltdown.

I have started by signing up for a retreat at church later this month - one that I desperately needed to do back in October (when I was just as stressed) but couldn't due to another obligation that weekend. I have begun spiritual direction with a sister from a local convent as another way to help. And I plan to call my EAP (which I have been meaning and meaning to do for weeks anyway) to get their assistance with a couple of things where I need some outside resources.

But there are things that I can do as well, starting with getting rid of this pissy attitude I've had for a while.

I'm a few days late, but here is my list (so far this month of what I'm really grateful for)........

April 1: I am grateful for the life of my Aunt Clovie, whom we buried today. She was kind yet no-nonsense, hospitable and sweet, and I know that she will be missed by us all. She was the last of my grandmother's siblings, and it's hard to believe that such an important person to us is now gone. But I also know that she's watching over us - and will give us a cosmic swat when we need it too!

April 2: I am grateful for the sacrifice made by Our Lord on the original Good Friday. His example of purely selfless love is something I know I can never attain, but that won't stop me from trying.

April 3: I am grateful for a good weigh-in this morning!!!! I have obsessed to the point of distraction over this month's numbers, and I'm so glad they turned out fine. I am also grateful for my family, who don't seem to mind my culinary experiments and attempts -- let's hope they enjoy tomorrow's Greek Easter Feast! (Odd, since we're not Greek but the seasoning is so good I can't resist!)

April 4: I am grateful for a beautiful warm sunny day, and the ability to get out and enjoy it. I am grateful for my canine companion for his undying, undeserved devotion! I cannot imagine my life without him in it!

April 5: I am grateful for my job, even as it causes me to go gray early. I am grateful to have a reason to take on the day, in the attempt to help even one person every day. I am also grateful for people who help me out, even when I don't ask -- I was changing out a handle at the gym's cable station and one of the guy weightlifters came over and said, "Oh, let me get that for you." Heck yeah, buddy!!! Go right ahead! Turns out he later needed that handle anyway, so it worked out well for us both!


I plan to update this frequently - if not every day, then every other. I want to keep this going.... I need to keep this going.

Stay tuned!