Gratitude

I am blessed for so many things in my life and waking up to a sunny, cool, summer morning is a special blessing after the weeks of high temps and humidity we’ve had.

I wish I could say I slept better because the nights have been cooler, but I’ll focus on being grateful for the mornings after a rocky night’s sleep when I wake up to the cat already being fed, the dishwasher (that I forgot to run but was sure I had) running, the coffee filter Faerie having visited, and/or breakfast is cooked for me... how can I not feel grateful for the person who does all this, and so much more? My husband.

I believe that turning my focus to the good in my life has helped in my healing and managing my Fibromyalgia. I began keeping a daily gratitude journal…most days...a few years ago and, admittedly, there are days I can’t focus on the blessings. Usually those are the days I’m either in too much pain, under too much stress, or my anxiety has risen to an unhealthy level (which I will pay for rather quickly in the form of a flare).

I make it a habit to list at least three things each day. Some days my journal has the same repeat posts: I am grateful for my husband, my sons, my dear daughters-in-law, my grandchildren, my dog, my cat, my grandkitties, my grandpuppy, my home by the river. They’re all a wonderful part of my life that I am thankfully always grateful for, as well as so many other loved ones and things in my life that bring me joy.

Strangely enough, I have also had days where I’ve been grateful for the pain as it acts as a reminder that I’m not taking quite as much care of myself in some way – be it mentally, physically, or spiritually - as I thought I was, and to get back on track.

However you choose to look at it, can it really hurt to get in the habit of feeling a little more gratitude, whether we have Fibromyalgia or not?

Until next time, stay centered in whatever way works for you.