In November of 2014, I wrote a post about the things for which I am thankful. It was tough to get started, not because I lacked gratitude, but because gratitude was overflowing.
Nearly two years later, I am still counting my blessings. There is much to be thankful for, even though it is easy to lose the way in the swirl of fear and hatred that is far too commonplace today.
The world is full of clouds lately, but I am focusing on looking for the silver linings. The harder they are to find, the more important it is to look.
I count my huge blessings, the most significant ones of all.
The people in my life and my relationships with them are always what I count first.
August is my birthing month; both of my babies were born during the hazy and humid days of late summer. I am blessed to celebrate their lives.
I count the small, everyday blessings.
These are the moments that make me smile: a hot shower, my curl creme, a willing hug from teenager, getting lost in a book.
I count the tangible blessings.
Last weekend, flooding devastated my town’s historic district. Two lives were lost, and dozens of small businesses and residences were destroyed. In the aftermath, our community has come together to give those affected the financial, moral, and emotional support they so desperately need.
I am blessed to live in my home, and in a community where hope rises higher than water. #ECStrong
I count the abstract blessings.
With all the political drama that monopolizes the media and clogs my Facebook feed, its very existence is due to the form of government under which we live. We choose our leaders, and I will exercise my right to vote when election day finally arrives.
I am blessed to have a voice and a vote regarding the future of our nation.
I count the silly blessings.
Goofing around on roller coasters, and dabbing with my kids.
Bonus points if you know what roller coaster we are on!
I count the serious blessings.
Health and financial stability is not a given for any of us, and either can disappear in an instant.
The first college tuition bill arrived in my inbox last month, a week before we had to replace our air conditioning unit. I jokingly informed my daughter that she can now only go to college for three years, but then I realized that isn’t a joke for many families.
We are blessed to be able to help our children finance their college educations.
I count my abundant blessings.
My family rescued Nellie over eleven years ago, and she has been filling our home with tail wags, unconditional love, and ridiculously loud snoring ever since. We fostered two puppies a few months ago, and are currently fostering two more.
Meet Ivy and Felix, who wouldn’t stay still long enough for a good photo.
I am blessed to have an endless supply of love to give.
I must remind myself of this; why would I ever withhold it from those who need it?
A great reminder post given all that is going on.
**I am blessed to have an endless supply of love to give.**
If we all thought like this, Dana, the world would be so much better, sweeter, kinder.
Love the puppies! x
Thanks Kim!
I was thinking about you and your family during those floods a couple weeks ago. We saw some video of it, and it was just incredible. So glad to know that you and your family are safe in the aftermath. There really are so many blessings to remember.
There really are. The water at the bottom of our driveway went about 15 feet up towards the house, but fortunately didn’t get close enough to do any damage. And it is amazing and inspiring how the community has come together.
Space Mountain, right? What a beautiful post, Dana. I’m sorry about the devastation and loss brought to your town by the floods. It is a tribute to your community that they have pulled together to help one another in a time of crisis. I think it’s so important, in counting our blessings, that we acknowledge that others are not so lucky. “To whom much is given, much is expected.” You are clearly teaching your kids to be grateful for their blessings, as well.
And, thanks for the reminder that we are blessed to live in the USA where we have a voice and the right to vote. Our system is not perfect but it has withstood the test of time. Our republic and its citizens will survive this current election cycle.
Yes, Space Mountain! And I hope you are right about surviving this election cycle. I think you are, but there are so many changes happening in the U.S., and change can be painful.
that’s a time to count your blessing, Nice job Dana..
Thank you!
It is immensely helpful for me to count my blessings when they seem the least obvious. What a great perspective to give yourself!
I agree, Rabia!
“The harder they are to find, the more important it is to look.” <— THAT! This is our August birthday week – hubby, oldest, and youngest all within 5 days. 🙂
Happy birthdays to all three! We have a break this week 🙂
Definitely want to come over to cuddle some puppies!!
I wish you could, Roshni! They are adorable, especially when they are sleeping. 😉
I’m learning to appreciate those who are in my life whether be for a long time or a short. You know I had to check out your post about your curl creme! 🙂
Ha – I really like it! It’s definitely a blessing 🙂
August is a lovely birthday month. A great big happy birthday to your babies, from a fellow August baby! I think you are so very right about silver linings…I do believe that our lives are all about finding them.
Happy August birthday to you too, Hillary!
Loved how you broke down your blessings 🙂
Makes it even more gratifying!
It is easier to count them that way!
Yes, I do want to come over to play with the puppies! Happy happy birthday to your August babies (it’s my birthday month too so obviously a very good one). That’s really cool about your community gathering together to help the flood victims (I saw photos – yikes!!!). Great blessings Dana.
PS How come you are covering your eyes on the roller coaster?
I would love to play with the puppies! Cute dabbing picture! Silly blessings are one of the best. I randomly played My Boo on our vacations and starting doing the running man just to embarrass Christopher. One time it was in the Bose store. Happy birthday month to you all. Where was the mountainy picture taken?
That was in the Swiss Alps last summer. And I admire and appreciate your dedication to embarrassing your son – it’s an important part of being a good parent!
Wow so when I looked at the picture I said that looks like the mountain from The Sound of Music. So I answered my own question. Beautiful! I bet that was an awesome sight in person.
It really was!
We are dabbing (it’s a dance) – we knew when the photo was being taken so we do goofy things. We’ve pretended we were sleeping, made funny faces – we crack ourselves up.
Two more puppies?! Yes, can I come over, please?
My friend lives close to some major flooding in Maryland. I think her own town, actually. So scary.
So many blessings too.
It was my town, Tamara, and it is very scary. You may certainly come visit the puppies!
Oh Dana, what a WONDERFUL list you have here. You reminded me of some of my own, I can often forget- so THANK YOU for that.
Good Lord, we need more goodness to focus on right now. You are absolutely right. I’ll join you in that!
More goodness – YES! I do appreciate that your posts in my Facebook feed always add a bit of goodness to the day – whether it’s a smiling face or an inspiring link. I may hide some people from my feed, but you will never be one of them. xoxo
🙂 I was stuck over writing my post for the same reason, and then I ended up picking the major things in my life! Yes, every cloud has a silver lining, no matter what its shade of grey. ♥ I love making gratitude lists and yours is so beautiful!
Thank you, Vidya. It’s inspiring to write my own and read others’ – we always need a reminder to be grateful, don’t we?
I always love a good post on being grateful! I try to remember how very lucky and blessed I am every single day and I love that you’re doing it here, on every level. I could not believe what happened to your Main Street area – somewhere I had dinner with Amanda just a few months ago!! And yes, college bills are no joke and many people simply cannot afford it. I’m trying (very, very hard) to teach my boys about being grateful. It’s going very slowly…
It’s a lesson that takes a long time, I think. Many adults haven’t learned it yet, but I’m sure your boys are on their way.
I’m glad you experienced Main Street in all its quaint beauty. I hope it will return to that state soon.
This is beautiful, Dana. I think we could all use more of this in our lives. I often try to remind myself how very fortunate I am and to be thankful for it all. Even with everything negative that seems to go on in the world, there is so many blessing in our lives.
There really are, and I am very aware of the fact that I am very lucky to have all that I do. That goes a long way in combating all the ugliness.
Such an uplifting and positive post, which is SO nice to see on the internet right now!
Thank you Nina – I was determined to make it just that!
So many blessings. Although you’re freaking me out about college tuition. And one of our air-conditioning units is about to go…
I saw the footage of EC on the news. Oh Dana, I have so many happy memories of main street. And I swear, I’ve been in everyone of those stores, with Audrey strapped to my chest.
So you know what a wonderful place it is, Allie. It will be again, but it’s going to take a lot of time and money.
Love all the blessings you counted here, especially that of a good book. What can I say, but that I think you know how I feel about books and my reading time 😉
I do – we are soul sisters on that point, Janine!
What a wonderful reminder to count your blessings! Puppies make life better 🙂
Yes they do! Unless they are yapping at 6 a.m. :0