During life’s rough times it is often hard to be grateful. If you’ve experienced a job loss, a divorce, or the death of a loved one, gratitude tends to take a back seat to anger, bitterness, hurt, pain, and sadness. Although it may seem counterintuitive, it’s during these times that you should strive to be grateful for
what you do have.
Ask yourself these questions:
Did I wake up today? Then be grateful you are around to live another day. A patient dying of cancer in the hospital would be.
Did I eat today? Then be grateful you aren’t starving. A child in Africa who hasn’t eaten in two days would be.
Am I reading this? Then be grateful you have the ability to read. A woman in Afghanistan, where the illiteracy rate is over 70% for females, would be.
Then be grateful you have somewhere to sleep. A homeless man shivering in the cold would be.
Am I feeling more grateful now? If so, remember that feeling and practice gratitude every day. Life can be hard, but it can also be wonderful. Be grateful; I know I will be.
~ Diane Adkins
Diane Adkins is a divorce recovery specialist, certified life coach, and NLP practitioner whose strategies and solutions help women move beyond their
midlife divorce at
February 4
Explorations Launched
When my eyes first opened on that distant February day, the world of mystery and gratitude had begun. From an early age I loved to explore. This was encouraged by my parents, whatever routes I decided to take. Nature soon captured my heart. Now, after a lifetime in the behavioral and brain sciences, I often think back with deep gratitude to the supportive upbringing I had.
To my parents my adventures must have often seemed mysterious. I collected junk from junk piles and was especially
inspired by animals, anywhere I could observe and hopefully share my life with them. This culimated in rewarding research work and companionship with a variety of animal species. Most noteworthy, perhaps, was my dear wolf friend, Lupey, whom I raised as a pup and kept his whole life. Philosophical underpinnings of knowledge became a later compassion, one that I still hold and build upon.
Now I am writing a book about my magnificent wolf friend, and in doing so am reminded how deeply grateful I am to all who have made a rewarding life possible. Each day is a new mystery and new joy. Conscious gratitude remains a
guiding principle in my life. ~ John C. Fentress
John Fentress, PhD, is a behavioral and brain scientist to whom the natural world has always been a source of mystery and gratitude. Learn more at EthoLife.net.
February 5
Stay Hopeful. Miracles Happen.
The deafening silence in the consulting room seemed to go on forever. I couldn’t surrender to the panic rising, because my sister, Pat, was watching my response.
Her pleading eyes were willing me to look at her. I couldn’t. I wanted to scream at the doctor: “Don’t just sit there, saying nothing!” Instead I said, “So, that’s it. There is nothing you can do?”
“I’m so sorry.”
Pat, at 45, had just been condemned to death: secondary breast cancer with complications. I’d been there before with my mother and my daughter. Mum died of lung cancer. At age 8 my daughter, Charlotte, was given 12 months to live. I didn’t believe that then, and I didn’t believe this, either. Pat and I left the room bewildered but
unaccepting. We researched and questioned and pushed for further investigation. My sister stayed strong. I prayed for a miracle.
I am grateful to God for giving us strength and a miracle!
I am grateful to the consultants who tried again and found a way.
Mostly, I am grateful that, today, my sister and I are still laughing together, loving together, and just being— together.
Stay hopeful. Miracles happen. ~ Christine Conroy Holt
Christine Conroy (Holt), is the author of the forthcoming book Help Yourself to Happiness: Stitch Your Own Silver Lining on Every Cloud. Visit www.ConroyCoaching.com.
February 6
Grateful for Reproductive Freedom My life is child-free by choice. Growing up, I saw how my parents struggled economically to provide for my three sisters and me. I saw the sacrifices my mother lovingly made for us. At 16, observing so many young women who chose motherhood over education and a
career, I decided I preferred the latter. At 18, I started on the pill. At 30, I had a tubal ligation. It felt like a burden lifting off my shoulders! My decision has given me a greater freedom to pursue education, travel, enjoy economic stability, luxuriate in solitude, and devote time and energy to a husband and a rewarding career.
Although most women love having children, I knew in my heart I couldn’t endure the responsibilities or heartaches. Women have suffered unwanted pregnancies since the beginning of time. I am eternally grateful I had the freedom and the means to make my choice with a clear conscience and
without social disapproval. Yes, the path I chose puts me in a minority, yet it remains the happiest decision of my life! I am grateful to live in a nation where women have reproductive rights. I wish women everywhere could share in this precious blessing.
~ Judith E. Pearson, PhD
Author, speaker, and life coach Judy Pearson, the Habit Maven®, helps people banish terrible habits and start new ones they’ll love. Her latest book is Why Do I Keep Doing This?!!
February 7
Appreciating Our Senses: Priceless! We often don’t realize what we really have—until we no longer have it.
That seems to be particularly true for each of our five primary senses: sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste. They add such incredible dimensions to our lives, don’t they?
It is these senses for which I am deeply grateful. They allow us to individually perceive our own little world—and the big one in which we live.
singularly valuable above and beyond all the others.
There is no sensory gift greater than that of sight. It is hard for me to imagine how difficult life would be without it.
I’ve been fortunate to interact with the founder and the executive director of Blindskills, Inc., a non-profit organization that links visually impaired people to resources and support systems. These two extraordinary leaders are both blind, yet they have not allowed the loss of their sight to deter them from doing good work for others—nor from fully participating in life.
If you have your five primary senses, and especially if you have your sight, join me in being grateful for them.
I “see” that our senses are priceless. Don’t you?
~ Craig A. Cline
Craig A. Cline has written various articles about peace and justice. He has a book in process, for which he will be grateful to finish!