Spend time being grateful every day

Running through Balboa Park in the late afternoon, the rich smells of jasmine, sage, and eucalyptus fill my nose and stimulate a flood of happy, playful childhood memories. The rays of the setting sun bounce off the low clouds in a chorus of brilliant yellows, oranges, pinks, and purples as I practice my kung fu forms on the grass. I feel the chi pulsing throughout my body and know that I am divine health and I am connected to the Source of all life, the Spirit-that-moves-through-all-things.
Walking home in the twilight, my eye (without the usual aid of glasses) catches a glint of copper in the grass; a 2007 penny brought into my life as a symbol of abundance. I find another in front of the taco shop around the corner from my apartment, and this one I drop into the tip jar along with my change for the burrito, spreading and sharing the wealth without judging its denomination.
As I sit on my couch enjoying my simple dinner after a hot, relaxing shower, I feel nourished, replenished, satisfied. I watch a favorite movie. My beautiful lady returns home from work early, pours us some cocktails, and we spend precious, joyous time together. And through all of this, I am so at peace, so full of pure energy, and so immensely grateful that words cannot express. How would you feel, if this was your life? You would feel good. Very, very good.

I am now at the end of a 4.5 month rotation aboard my first ship, and I have so much to be thankful for. It has been a great experience. I have learned alot. I have had some great shipmates, shared some great times. I seem to be stuck on the word great. ‘Cause everything is great. I just had a great night.
Don’t get me wrong, I can’t wait to get home and enjoy some time off with my girl, and I’m not sorry to be moving on to other adventures (still within MSC), but I have made some good friends here that I will miss.
But, like Richard Bach said in Illusions, “Don’t be dismayed at goodbyes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again, and meeting again, after moments or lifetimes, is certain for those who are friends.” I think I got that quote right. Pardon me if it’s not exact, but the essence is there.

...and taped it to the wall across from the chair where I have my coffee every morning. It’s a “Top 10” list of the biggest things in my life for which I am grateful. Having this there reminds me to be grateful every day for how amazingly awesome my life is, even if I don’t really read it every day. Seeing it there on the wall reminds me to put myself in an attitude of gratitude. Allow me to share my list with you.

I am so happy and grateful to the universe for:

My vibrant health supported by my superbly functioning human body and its ability to adapt, change, grow, and heal itself

My healthy mind, which also has the ability to adapt, change, grow, and heal itself, and which is a powerful creative force

My loving and positive girlfriend, family, and friends

The many great teachers who have aided in the shaping of my adventurous and interesting life, ever unfolding in new and exciting ways

My experience with the Kung Fu club in college, which gave me the self discipline, physical fitness, and mental and emotional courage to pursue my dreams

My experience in Navy Surface Rescue Swimmer School, which taught me that my body and mind are capable of far more than I previously thought, and which catapulted me to higher self respect and confidence, higher fitness, as well as higher earning power!

My interesting new job and rapidly improving financial situation

My current assignment on a new ship with a room to myself, good and fun coworkers, and…

The technology which brings us an abundance of convenience, communication, information, and entertainment

Thank you!

You want to feel grateful for what you have? You want all your seemingly big problems to be put in perspective? Watch “Surgery Saved My Life” on the Discovery Channel. I’m usually not that into surgery shows, but the other night I walked in in the middle of this show to see a woman who was having a multiple organ transplant. Her entire abdominal cavity was EMPTY!!! They transplanted the stomach, spleen, liver, duodenum (not sure I spelled that right), and intestines all at the same time, as a set. She weighed 98 lbs, and hadn’t eaten solid food in 14 years! The surgery was successful, and she’s on the road to living a “normal” life. Truly amazing.
I am so very grateful for my health. Perhaps that above all.