I feel grateful to have traveled this year to visit two of my closest friends—one in Tokyo, and another in Istanbul.
I feel grateful that my Japanese friends visited me in Vancouver. I had a great time being their tour guide.
I feel deeply grateful to all the doctors who referred clients to me this year. Because of these new referrals, and the trust these doctors have shown in my work, I have had the privilege of meeting more new clients this year than in any other year of my career.
I feel grateful for receiving “thank you” messages from my clients, who have worked hard in therapy to improve their lives. Being able to help other people is one of the most meaningful things in the world.
In order to comfort others, to participate in the life of someone who is in deep grief, we need to know what it feels like to experience loss ourselves. (Amy Hollingsworth)
‘Blessed are they who mourn’… they give gifts to those with whom they choose to be in their mourning. And they also give gifts to themselves. (Fred Rogers)
I feel grateful to feel healthier and happier myself. Negative experiences in my day, such as being treated unkindly, no longer bother me very much, and I am able to let go of such negative incidents almost right away.
I feel grateful to everyone who has crossed my path, all the kind people who have helped me become who I am today.
My Blessings Have Greatly Exceeded My Wishes
For those of us who have survived abuse, it often feels that there is no escape from the emotional injury. But I know that it is possible to work towards recovery, especially when you have good people in your life to help you. And I know that for myself, even during the darkest days, it has always been important to acknowledge my blessings with deep gratitude. This gratitude saved me, and kept my heart strong and open to new, good things which lay ahead for my future.
Life is so generous a giver, but we, judging its gifts by their covering, cast them away as ugly or heavy or hard. Remove the covering and you will find beneath it a living splendour, woven of love, by wisdom, with power. Welcome it, grasp it, and you touch the angel’s hand that brings it to you. Everything we call a trial, a sorrow, or a duty, believe me, that angel’s hand is there; the gift is there, and the wonder of an overshadowing presence. (Fra Giovanni)
Affirmation: I enrich my life when I count my blessings.
