I totally stole this idea from Mrs. Howard at The Education of Mrs. Howard. I encourage you to peek in at her writing. She has a wonderful voice.
Taking the time...
to be thankful.
Instead of wishing my class of kids were not so challenging this year...
I will remind myself that I should be challenging them as much as they challenge me!
Instead of wishing I did not have to close up the pool...
I will look forward to a fire in the fireplace soon.
Instead of wishing I could move back home...
I will be grateful for the friendships here; in their infancy, but growing stronger.
Instead of wishing I did not have to take a handful of pills every morning...
I am grateful that one keeps me grounded, one keeps me moving, one keeps me nourished, and one
keeps me from living in constant pain.
Speaking of pain...
I am not so cliche that I will say something like, "Oh, I'm glad I got this disease (rheumatoid arthritis) because it has taught me to be grateful and .....blah, blah, blah..." No, I'm not grateful I have this disease. It hurts and every day I see what it has and is doing to my body. But, I will say, having a chronic, incurable disease, has made me look at life differently.
Instead of wishing away this disease....
I will refuse to give in and despite it, I will keep going, keep moving, give in now and then and just say "@#$##@#$%%!!!!!!"