Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Community Comment

Blessings for the New Year

Happy New Year!

First day of the year!!!  A clean slate.  An actual "Do-Over".  A day when my resolutions will be 100% successful!

This year, though, I simplified my resolution(s) to simply count my blessings all day long. Also, to be joyful; to be kind; to have a spirit that dances; and to be thankful for every good and bad thing that happens to me.

I want to have an Attitude of Gratitude, and be thankful for all the things I love in my life.  I also will be thankful for all the bad things.  Little trite phrases come to mind, when I say that.  Like, "Behind every cloud there is a silver lining."  "When you get lemons, make lemonade."  If I get a red light when I am desperately in a hurry, I want to take that moment to be thankful for the red light, to slow down and "smell the roses." 

I have many blessings!  At first, when I was starting this about two weeks ago, I thought - Hoo Boy, I only have about five blessings to count.  But then I got started being thankful for each blessing and more popped into my head.  I listed my Mechanic Man, my sons, my daughter-in-law, my grandtwins :) and my cats.  Oh, then being thankful for the really beautiful sunsets we have had lately (and thankful I caught a fantastic shot with my cell phone) (being thankful for my cell phone).  Then there's all my friends both in person and on Facebook and The Spokesman Review's Huckleberries Online and Community Comment.  Babies.  The scent of Lilacs.  The crunch of my feet on icy grass.  The taste of cold, cold water from the tap.  And it goes.

I encourage you to count your blessings.  If you are having worries or feel despondent (as the Holidays tend to make people crazy), stop your thought and start counting your blessings.  You'll find that pretty soon you are taking what was a problem or worry and turning it into a blessing to be thankful for.  There's no room for negative thoughts if you are spending all your time thinking positive thoughts.

I want you to feel joy welling up and a dance in your feet as you go into the New Year.  

Blessings!

~ Jeanie

 



Spokesman-Review readers blog about news and issues in Spokane written by Dave Laird.