Gratitude

When I was in my early 20's I thought I knew everything. I even scoffed at those that said to me "just wait till you hit 25, or 30, you will learn so much more and gain so much perspective". Well, now that I am rapidly approaching my 30's, I agree that those people were right! (pause and enjoy my admission, it's a rare thing). One of the ways I have changed is that I have become more content. There was a time where nothing I had was enough, I was always in want of something. Always complaining. Always! Now I look around and I see how much I have to be thankful for. I think about people battling different forms of cancer, I wonder what it must have felt like to walk into their doctor's office one day and get the news that their life is about to take an unexpected turn. I think about the fact that I have all my limbs, the gift of sight, and all my other senses. I think about the fact that I do not know the pain of losing a loved one yet. Everyday I get into my car I think about how one accident leave some people scarred for life, paralyzed, or worse, dead. I think about how it can all be over in an instant. We hear stories all the time on the radio, in the media, but we never think it could happen to us. As much as we may share empathy, many of us go back to our day to day lives forgetting the things we saw the previous day. I find myself reaching out to my mother more, and reminding myself that she loves me which is why she panics when she does not hear from me. One day I will miss the calls and texts; I want to appreciate every moment with her while I can. I find myself enjoying the little moments with my partner- something I failed to do in previous relationships. Don't get me wrong, I had fun, but I didn't truly enjoy each moment and immerse myself into it completely. I've learned not to take those little things for granted, those moments with loved ones, for they can come to an end at any time. I have found a way to keep my mind in the present. Perhaps we only learn to do this when we face our own mortality. Whatever the reason, I am happy to be at this point in life. And I am thankful every day.