You've heard it before. . . many times. There is ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS something to be grateful for! Have you ever spent a moment really contemplating the reality of that statement?
I have done so many times. I've not questioned it but affirmed it. I had a pretty severe accident nearly 2 1/2 years ago. I've gone through so many losses since that date. I lost the ability to walk (for about 6 months), my job that I loved (I was asked to resign so the organization could move forward), my independence (that was a tough one!), one of my dearest friends (the person who ran over me and doesn't believe in remorse of any kind), the ability to ever run again (as a marathoner, that's pretty devastating) and many other smaller but still impacting changes thrust upon me. Then this quote came along and I smiled. Because from the very second I was run over, I was surrounded by so many people who care about me. I never felt or feel that those losses are only for me. My friends have suffered alongside me. I've never been alone in my grief for my former life. I've also never been able to sufficiently thank the ones who stuck by me. And mostly, I've ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS had so much to be grateful for!
My other favorite quote seems to go along with that one. "What if you wake up tomorrow with only the things you were grateful for today?" This quote inspires me to be constantly grateful for people, for experiences, for things that bring me joy, and most of all, for this life. Even with the constant pain and struggle with mobility and neurological issues, I am very aware that I possess the thing that we often take for granted. If not for my constant support systems and my medical team, this would be a far different experience. So amidst the challenges, I am ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS grateful for the people surrounding me that uplift me, encourage me, support me, empower me and the occasional friend who reminds me that I'm a true badarse! My soul is tougher yet more tender and my heart is fuller because of the very thing that has limited me. I'm learning more about empathy than I ever thought I needed to know. My life has slowed down out of necessity but I realize that's a benefit. I can breathe more, think more, love more, thank more. Most of the time, I've been pretty positive and that gift of seeing the upside has definitely served me well for the past 30 months.
Everyone has their own story. Even so, we ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS have something to be grateful for! As we stuff our bellies with turkey, ham, pumpkin pie, mashed potatoes and green bean casserole, I hope that you will be thinking of those things that you are so grateful for, even through your own losses and challenges. With a full heart and more gratitude than I know how to express, Happy Thanksgiving! Our club members have held my hand in so many ways and you are absolutely and phenomenally so good to me. Thank you - I appreciate you!!