appreciate what I have

I appreciate that I have a car that’s currently running without problems. I appreciate having all the clothes I own, all the music I have to listen to, my computer, and everything else I own, whether they were given to me or earned. I appreciate my art studio and all my art supplies. I appreciate all my abilities and the results of using them. I appreciate my education and all the financial assistance that helped make it possible. I appreciate good times and satisfaction of hard work. Hmmm…between this entry and the others, I’m not sure if I’ve missed anything. Probably. Sometimes we overlook the small things…Appreciation is a long term goal. There will be new things to appreciate and the current things I appreciate should not be forgotten. For now I think I’ve achieved this goal. Maybe sometime in the future I will reestablish this goal.

I appreciate a good cup of coffee in the morning with a nice, big breakfast. I appreciate the roof over my head, that I have enough food to eat and that I’m employed. I appreciate mutual attraction, damn that feels good. I appreciate my pet cat…such a sweet, innocent animal who loves me and entertains me daily. I appreciate my health, strength, agility, flexibility and fitness. I appreciate my friends and family and that they all seem to be doing all right for themselves. I appreciate that I’ve gotten myself out of debt and that I’m now saving some money. I really need to pat myself on the back for that one…I appreciate where I live. I live right next to what’s for me, the best city in the world (New York). I appreciate all the good times I’ve had, and all the kind people who have passed through or remain in my life. I appreciate all the lessons I’ve learned, whether they were street wise, book smart, or stumbled upon by chance…I appreciate the traveling I’ve managed to do so far. I also appreciate my upcoming vacation. I appreciate any free time I have where I can devote myself to art and other personal interests.

Okay, so yesterday I wrote an entry on this. I need to start doing this more. I’ve been feeling pretty blue, so maybe this will help me pull through. I’ve decided that when writing entries for this goal, I’m only going to mention things I appreciate, not what I don’t have or want. That’s what the rest of my list and things that don’t fit on this list are for. Okay, okay, so it wouldn’t be right to finish this entry without mentioning something I appreciate…Today I appreciate that the harassing slob isn’t at work today. I also appreciate the nice weather we’re having today. I appreciate that it’s almost lunchtime and I have enough money to buy lunch since I didn’t make enough time to pack a lunch….more to come in future entries.

Yesterday was arguably the most beautiful day yet this year. I went on lunch break in a small park overlooking the East River. The temperature was just right for a hot cup of tea to ward off the slight chill from the breeze. The sun was perfect, not too bright for reading without shade. The river flowed with large, barreling swells that created a very peculiar, constant pattern. Across the river, pink and white blossom trees lined Roosevelt Island. Children and nannies were amazingly quiet and calm. It was pure relaxation. I didn’t want to go back to work, but as I made my way back, I enjoyed seeing all the colorful flowers planted around trees and in windows. A friendly doorman gave a respectable “hello.”

Although there are a lot of things I want to change, and different goals to meet, I can’t forget the things I do have. It could always be worse, and I’m really glad it’s not.