Daily Gratitude: As I have slowed down I am learning more about change. It’s as if some things are not as important as they used to be. Of course, some do retain their importance but often if you look at in perspective with the rest of what’s happening, you can adequately evaluate how “bad” that change will be. Maybe it’s not just that I’ve gotten older but that I have learned to regulate my nervous system better and once that is calm, it’s easier to accept that things are different AND that it’s ok. I am surprised but very happy that often (not always) I can look at things that way.

Daily Gratitude: Most of the time other people are better able to express things than I can. Today is one of them. This comes from Brian Johnson’s excellent book, Arete. “As Tal Ben-Shahar also tells us: "The word appreciate has two meanings. The first meaning is ‘to be thankful, the opposite of taking something for granted. The second meaning is ‘to increase in value’ (as money appreciates in the bank). Combined, these two meanings point to a truth that has been proved repeatedly in research on gratitude: when we appreciate the good in our lives, the good grows and we have more of it. The opposite, sadly, is also true: when we fail to appreciate the good—when we take the good in our lives for granted— the good depreciates."

Daily Gratitude: I chuckled as I made this one. How polite of Mother Teresa. But as usual she is right on. To take it a bit further you could actually consider the “lesson people” as blessings too. Ha ha. The next time you get aggravated by someone, remember this and ask yourself what lesson you are being taught. You know they say that what gets you upset in other people reflects issues you have that need work. I think I could have avoided all the hospitalizations in 2017 had I realized this point about lessons. Oh and also the control issue too. There were two primary people in my life who made my life a daily horror movie. I could do nothing about the issues. I should have just let it go since I had no control. That would have helped greatly. Then had I taken a look at the lessons I needed to learn, I think I could have not let things bother me as much. Then my inner volcano would not have had to erupt in physical illness. Learn from my example and help keep yourself from getting sick.