New Year's Resolutions

This year I decided that I wasn't going to make any resolutions because I just get discouraged that I haven't met them at the end of the year. The past few weeks things have happened to make me change my mind. I decided that I am going to make one resolution this year. I am going to look for the good things in my life and express my gratitude for them. I am going to look closely for the little things that I enjoy daily that I previously have taken for granted. For example I have always taken for granted that I could pay my bills, but as I sat today and wrote out the checks and sent off the bills, I was so grateful that we have jobs and can pay the bills. I recently heard a woman talking about having gone through a disaster and how much she prayed for a toothbrush and toothpaste. Wow, such a simple thing that we don't even think about. It has been fun looking for and paying attention to the little things that make life enjoyable, like the great feeling of fresh, clean teeth. The more you find to be grateful for, the more you begin to appreciate and feel spoiled with the things you have. It is enough. I invite you to join me in this gratitude journey and look for the little things in your life. As we watch the horrible things going on in Haiti, we can be extremely thankful that we are safe. It reminds us to pray for those who are suffering and ask that our prayers are felt by them, that it bouys them up and gives them the courage to hang on. The more we appreciate what we have, the better able we are to see the needs of others. It is a great thing to keep a gratitude journal. Reflect each evening on the things that you have experienced during the day and express gratitude for the small stuff. Happy New Year!