Daily: Reflect on 5 things for which I'm grateful.

1. Be constantly busy and tired – but HAPPY!
2. Lunch with colleagues and I SAID NO TO WINE!
3. Going to puppy socialisation class.
4. Getting my favourite boots re-heeled.
5. Meeting baby Lewis for the first time – made me oh so broody.
6. Seeing Lewis’ Mum and giving her a big hug – I’ve missed her.
7. The best months pay I’ve ever received.
8. Walking 8 miles (Jimmers in the buggy).
9. Talking for 8 miles with K!
10. My Mum bailing me out when I forgot my purse.
11. An afternoon with my Mum and Dad – Lucky in the house too!
12. Spending the whole weekend with the children and the dog.
13. Successfully cutting Little Jimmers hair.
14. Watching Lucky play with new doggy friends on the beach.
15. Letting Lucky off the lead for the 1st time & he came back!
16. Coffee and a chat with two close friends.
17. Two weeks alcohol free – woohoo!
18. My difficult but relaxing jigsaw puzzle.
19. Cooking dinner for everyone (for once)!
20. Having had a busy and extrememly fulfilling weekend.

1. Buying pretty cards and note paper on my lunch break.
2. Not getting mad but getting even.
3. The chance for K and I to rant on a long cold dog walk.
4. Realising I must start practising what I preach.
5. Blissful hours concentrating on a tricky jigsaw puzzle.

1. Completed my Prison Officer Selection Test online.
2. Had a painful but productive therapy session.
3. Took a long lunchbreak and had a nap.
4. A best friend finally got rid of her waste of space bf.
5. A lovely walk with the kiddlewinks and the pup.

1. Doing a proper job at work in spite of the current climate.
2. Resisting wine at lunch and having tea instead.
3. Running on the beach with the dog in the moonlight.
4. A lovely salmon, rice and veg dinner made by hubby.
5. Some quiet time. Shhh…..

1. Sunday morning lie-ins (barr the many disturbances)!
2. Starting my new jigsaw puzzle.
3. Lucky’s second walk – a different beach – windy but fun!
4. Getting over a minor row and mood swing fairly easily.
5. Completing over one week alcohol free – woohoo!

1. An acceptance to an invitation.
2. The whole family taking Lucky for his first walk.
3. Running on the beach with hubby, kids and dog – :D
4. A dog friendly cafe – hot paninis on a cold day.
5. Watching ‘Hairspray’ with K and her sleepover buddy.

1. Having a fan heater when the boiler at work broke.
2. A good sign.
3. Watching my pup meeting another puppy for the first time.
4. Little Jimmers helping me with a ‘bit tricky’ puzzle.
5. Some chilled out, argument free mother/daughter bonding.

1. Being Supercheered by the lovely Chris Campbell!
2. Compliments and encouragment from my manager.
3. A lovely new locum doctor.
4. Not drinking alcohol being a little easier today.
5. Going to The Red Tent (cafe), sitting in the red (gurt) tent, discussing ‘The Red Tent’ (book) at my new book club – a lovely evening with wonderful women and no temptation to drink!

1. My manager was kind about my serious mistake.
2. My colleagues and I gave our office a spring clean.
3. I realised just how many wonderful friends I have here at 43T.
4. I taught Lucky to ‘lie down’.
5. After spending 23 of his 26 days of life in hospital my best friend’s baby boy is finally home!!! I can’t wait to meet him.

I have found this goal so rewarding and encouraging and uplifting…everyday I notice each gratitude with care; from the greatest gift of life, to a tiny gratitude for a tasty blueberry.

The reason I am going to retire this goal now is that ironically something I am often grateful for of late is ‘not switching on my computer’ or not feeling I ‘have’ to do certain things in a perfectionistic manner.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ll still always be grateful – and realistically for way more than five things a day – but I won’t be typing them out anymore….but if I still happen to get all of your gratitudes in my inbox, then great, they brighten my day and I am grateful for each and every one.

So here are my final gratitudes for this goal:

1. I am grateful for my life

I was born and I have lived almost 29 years. I am able bodied and can see, hear, talk, sing, touch, run, walk, swim and breathe. My brain in functional and I have an intelligence that aids my work, relationships and play. I have had difficult times, as have we all, but I am grateful for every second I have been blessed with life.

2. I am grateful for my family

Without my Mum I would not be here, without her nurture I would not be the woman I am, without her humour I would not be able to laugh like I do and without her love I would have survived. I’m grateful for my Dad for agreeing to marry my Mum and take on a lively six year old, not abandoning me through the dark years of my teens and for being there through thick and thin. I am grateful to my siblings for the love, joy and happiness we share. I am eternally grateful for the gift of my two wonderful children who have required me to grow and have given me endless love. Thanks to my husband for marrying me and not falling at the first hurdle.

3. I am grateful for my friends

At times I have found it hard to move from one side of the country to another and even one country to another….but I am so grateful for the many friends I have met along the way. From primary schools, to secondary schools, to neighbours and friends of friends. From work to college to university, to friends I’ve met through my children and those I’ve met through my husband. For those random ones that make a chance meeting into a lifelong friendship.

I am grateful for all my 43 things friends. I’m not going to name you all for fear I will forget someone but you know who you are. Those who have offered words of love and support at times of hardship and those with whom I’ve laughed along the ways. Some of you I feel like I truly know even when I haven’t got a clue what you look like!! I’m so grateful to have found this community and to have been resident for over one year!

4. I am grateful for my experiences

Some have been tough, challenging and painful but all the incidents in my life have contributed to who I am. I have made mistakes but I am grateful to have understanding. I have felt grief but I am grateful to have compassion. I have broken down but I grateful I can be a support. I have had my heart broken but am grateful I have known love. I have had regrets, but never for something I haven’t done. I’ve done so much and I shall do so, so much more.

5. I am grateful for the earth

Every day I give thanks for the air I breath, the sky that frames my world and the ground beneath my feet. I am grateful for the trees I run through and climb up and the flowers and plants that give beauty to even a grey and mundane day. For the sound, smell and sight of the sea, I can never be too far from the sea – it holds my soul. I am grateful for the water we have to drink and the abundance of fresh food we have to eat. I love every sight of beauty that nature has created.

I am grateful and I always will be, however dark my days I will always find a ray of light