Gratitude and this week.

I don't know if it was the retreat, thinking about gratitude or what has happened, but with a few exceptions, I seem to be a little more aware of things. My perceptions and attitudes are shifting -- sometimes slowly but noticeably, sometimes not so well.

I mentioned Vanessa's "30 Days" concept to my chiropractor and how I had started this blog in response. I told him that the only place I really need to work on it is my response to traffic snarls. I have to admit, I'm one of those people who tries hard to leave early so that I can either avoid the snarls or at least account for them. I am also, however, someone whose idea of a good drive is getting from Point A to Point B in the most time- and traffic-efficient way possible. But he gave me a new perspective; for him, gratitude is a very important facet. And he noted that when he's stuck in traffic, he tries to respond with "Thanks God, because I'm not involved in the situation that's caused the slowdown..." or even "Thanks for having me slow down a little to avoid a disaster...." Now there's a nice gr-attitude to have!

Just yesterday, I had a situation occur that four weeks ago would have caused a slightly different reaction -- it wasn't the perfect response, but it was an improvement. A family member with a chronic condition called me to ask a question .... and for which I'd already given the answer (a couple of times, but forgetfulness is part of the condition). I wasn't mean but I wasn't as calm or patient as I could have been. But the big breakthrough came after I hung up the phone.

Normally, I would have gotten more than a little miffed -- not at the person, but at the condition that is causing this to occur pretty regularly. And trust me, I have cursed this particular condition a million times in the last few months. This time, as I put my head in my hands at my desk and breathed deeply, I uttered a prayer that medical research starts working on this -- not that other diseases aren't just as important, but that somewhere along the way, a solution can be found. It might be in cancer research that someone realizes, "You know, this doesn't advance my cause, but look what I've seen in doing this. Hey, I have a friend at NIH who's working on this condition's research .... let me tell him/her my findings!"

One other special note of gratitude: I had some additional training last night at WW and it was a lovely chance to get to see some people I hadn't seen in a long time. I had a mini-meltdown and my leader(s) and territory manager were there to get me through it, along with the trainer they'd brought in. I am appreciative of their insights and also for just listening. That meant so much to me that I am in pure awe of the kindness in people. We always hear the bad because that makes news. And yes, the human interest stories do warm our hearts after hearing the rapes, murders, robberies and general human stupidity that runs rampant. But it's in those wonderful small group moments or the one-to-one times of caring and sharing that we see the good in life and in people ..... and it never gets the recognition it deserves.

Makes me think of the old Anne Murray song "A Little Good News"....... boy, do we need more of that today!