be thankful everyday

Just recently, a historic flood inundated Manila. Hundreds of lives were lost, millions of property have been damaged. Rich, middle-class and the poor were all affected. It was an eyeopener.

It made me realize that:

• what God giveth, He takes away.

• in the end all that is left is yourself, without material possessions… Things may never be the same. Have courage to start all over again.

• that climate change is here and will get worse.

• it’s heartbreaking to know that humans are partly to be blamed for the calamity: indiscriminate throwing of trash, overpopulation (informal settlers occupied formerly forested lands, creeks, etc.), having no concern for the environment, indifference, etc.

But the calamity also united our people. Many of them reached out, helped distribute relief goods… became selfless.

I am thankful that I am alive, my family and loved ones are safe.

Today I am thankful for:

This past week off with my husband – we both needed a break from work and school

That the co I work for has extended the contract on our two contract employees, without whom, all departmental work would fall on me

Visiting McKinney Falls state park, it is a beautiful park, and I look forward to sharing it with the rest of my family and friends

that it is Monday, and that my computer is usable again.

We are getting new and better-paying clients these days. I am very lucky indeed.

I have plans to share my blessings. Everything has a reason.

Thanks, God.

The world is so different when you realize that you one of the lucky ones. Even when you don’t feel so lucky. I have a place to live, people who love me, a job. I am about 10 steps ahead of some people with just those 3 things.

Everyday I wake up and come to work in a Children’s Hospital NICU and see the tole it takes on families. I couldn’t imagine having a baby and not being able to take him home. Some babies are so sick, they have been here almost a year. Then they go home, and some die anyway. I watch the news and see people who are hungry and people who live in the middle of war. Thousands of people die everyday of diseases that they shouldn’t get. Malaria?! What the HECK! Millions die every year from AIDS, a lot leaving their children homeless. I thank God everyday for everything that I have, for what I do, for being able to care about these things. Because a lot of people don’t. It’s a shame. They yell at people about how their latte was made wrong or get road rage because someone cut in front of them. These are the people who don’t get it. I even thank the Lord for my bad days. Because without him, there would be no days at all.

Today I am thankful that I have be given such a peaceful life. It is full of love, joy, and good stuff. I am thankful for laughter and the chance to enjoy it. I am thankful that I am safe in the kind of way I have always wanted. I am thankful that I KNOW I am loved.

wonderful husband who loves me and I know it
a beautiful world to remind me of God’s love
sweet nephews and and little “phee”
the chance to watch things grow and delight in them
chocolate, cookies, and gum

I often see misery and despair around. I really do feel luckier than most people. I thank God for all that I have and I am.

its easy to forget how privileged we are when we’re surrounded by it everyday