By: Gentle Gardener Oracle
I’m grateful I was able to attend a Town Hall held by my congressional representative. I’m proud to have someone of her intelligence and integrity as our representative. I’m grateful for radishes. They’re spicy, and delicious, and the most underrated root vegetable since the parsnip. And, I’m grateful I don’t take Agents too seriously. I certainly understand why no one ever thanks them, though.
Days like today I’m reminded why I started this journal so many years ago. I feel a little “glass half empty” today, and need to be reminded that so many have no glass at all. I’m grateful people are changing jobs and getting raises and bonuses. And, I’m grateful life changes so quickly. Treasure the good days – they won’t last forever – and neither will the bad ones.
I’m grateful for the buoyant energy I feel all around. It’s summer, a longer-than-long weekend, and given where we all were a year ago, there’s much to be optimistic about this holiday. I’m so grateful I can turn off my AC at night. Thank you Artic Current. And, I’m grateful for people who can see past the obvious.
I’m grateful I can say. “No.” Many people cannot – it’s too difficult. No is a powerful word, a complete sentence, and sets a boundary without discussion. We should all use No more often. I’m grateful for the 30-year-old Crepe Myrtles that surround my home. The most beautiful of trees. And, I’m grateful I’m acquiring a taste for Whiskey. Those brown liquors are potent and quite good.
I’m grateful for all the annotated white papers I’ve researched and written for people who didn’t give a shit what I had to say. I got paid to write them – the most important part — and I knew that knowledge and preparation would be a long-term asset, and I was right. I’m grateful I finished The Handmaiden’s Tale. No comic relief in that one. And, I’m grateful for a holiday week. I think everyone is ready to celebrate a little. So much to be grateful for….
I’ll admit to being a bit weary of the grind. It’s not burn-out, it’s apathy. I’m grateful I can take a little time off to recharge. I’m grateful I own an espresso machine. And, I’m grateful that I’ve realized that No means No. It’s not the first step to yes, and those who think it is are quickly #blocked.
I’m very grateful to be able to walk in a restaurant, sit at the bar, and have someone hospitable and pleasant bring me things to eat and drink. Such a relief. I’m grateful for a decent haircut – finally. And, I’m grateful for my Reiki healer. When your chakras are aligned, you know it!
I’m grateful the Pacific Ocean is able to provide some small amount of cloud cover and cool breezes. I’m grateful I’ve spent years working on other people’s crappy software. And, I’m grateful for BI dashboards. The accountability tool.
I’m grateful I still have a progressive mind and generous heart. I see too many people let those qualities slip away as they grow older. I’m grateful I’m finally getting off sugar. It’s everywhere. And, I’m grateful for readers. It’s much more important to be a reader than a writer.
I’m grateful for a few days focused on the here and now. It’s easy to be distracted, but happiness is everywhere if you take a second to experience it. I’m grateful that the days of others taking credit for my work are over. And I’m grateful that I realize that nothing is ever really about me.
365 Days of Simple Gratitude 