Tuesday was my first day back to work. After 5 months of being away, it felt great to be counseling again! In fact, it felt as though I were meeting an old friend and we picked up right where we left off...except that while I was away I learned a lot about myself as well as my clients.
During this time of year especially, I am thinking about all I have to be grateful for...my job, my family, my friends... It's an attitude I try to practice all the time, but it's a fun reminder when others are doing the same. I've enjoyed reading many of my friend's facebook posts about the things they are grateful for this month. Despite hardships, worries, and stress...I am grateful that I have so much to be grateful for.
I encourage you to cultivate an attitude of gratitude too.
Cliché, I know. But it helps. It’s amazing how easily we forget. It’s almost second nature to focus on what we don’t have, instead of what we do.
I lived in Costa Rica a month for a mission trip. When you think of Costa Rica you probably imagine white, sandy beaches. While it’s true their beaches are gorgeous, Costa Rica is a third world country and the cities are far from tropical paradises. The crime rate is high and most folks barely make enough to feed their families. Oh, but the people were amazing! Most were so full of joy and gratitude for the little they had. They had the ability to focus on the things that really mattered.
I think our excess confuses us. The more we have, the more we want. We obsess over the things we believe we need or deserve. We believe the lies that commercials and advertisements tell us: that we’ll be happy, attractive, desirable, or popular if we drink a certain drink, wear those clothes or perfume, or go to that destination. Or we believe we’ll be happy when…(fill in the blank with relationship, marriage, kids, dream job, etc.)
I’m not suggesting that your desires are wrong. They could be good desires. I’m only suggesting that you don’t wait until you have them to be grateful for the blessings you already have. My hope is that you wouldn’t allow it to rob you of your joy today.
During this season and every day, I encourage you to literally count your blessings. Write them down if you have to! Say them out loud to your family or friends. I've already shared some of mine. Now, it’s your turn.
I hope you enjoy this season and today,
Lauren
