Waiting for God, Oh!

 “And if you don’t think you have anything to be grateful for, keep looking. Because you don’t just receive optimism. You can’t wait for things to be great and then be grateful for that. You’ve got to behave in a way that promotes that.  Michael J. Fox

I try very hard not to wait for something for which I can express gratitude. My daily aim is to be thankful for all of it—every little thing, including the not-so-fun-in-the-moment stuff. I feel like there is something to be gained in every experience in this life. Dark nights of the soul can lead to renewed vision. Broken hearts teach compassion and patience. 

But there’s so much of the good stuff! The smile from a stranger, the opportunities to show kindness, a call from a child or other family member or an old friend just to say hello. Chance encounters, lovely cloud formations, sunset skies like the one I saw last night, comfortable weather or the hot days which give me gratitude for air conditioning or cold ones making me thankful for heat. 

How can I make someone’s load a little lighter? Service to others creates the prime medium in which to grow an optimistic attitude. Dusting a shelf of mementos can bring a smile of remembrance. Singing, writing, making art—all unleash the creative flow which waters the seeds of gratitude.

I can be grateful too for self-forgiveness; for those times I didn’t grab hold of joy, or when I didn’t see the good around me. I don’t live there, but I’ve visited a few times. Awareness of the positives in life feels so much better! And it’s self-sustaining — good begets good (usually). If life is just a bowl of cherry pits, take the opportunity to plant them!