"Open Up A Can of....Gratefulness"

Today was one of those days. I was reminiscing with my Mom about some of the senseless and hilarious things my brother and I did when we were younger, and she laughed-hard. You know the "I haven't laughed this good in a while laugh"? And after I chuckled, I watched her laugh good. Her laugh made me happy and her presence in my life (as well as all of my siblings' and friends that became siblings' lives) reminded me how fortunate I was and am. Grateful. Something that so many of us forget to do: be grateful. Each day is, in fact, a gift-whether you agree or not. Why? Because no matter the depth of our tribulations or situations, we are given another day to not only attempt to work towards improving and learning from our situations, but to work towards our purpose. I believe we're all given purposes just as much as choices.

Another problem is that we allow ourselves to be burdened by negativity that we forget to acknowledge the positive. Starting with our earth. Despite the pollution and harm we've brought to it, the physical beauties of Earth seem to poke their way back in anyway. Forgiving of our ignorance and disrespect. Another thing, I will always believe in everyone having someone that cares and has cared about them. Don't you say you don't have anyone either! Whether you know it or not, there is someone. And because of the people seeking our failures and attempting to ruin our images, we forget about those that do care. I've learned that. Be grateful for them because it's not too common to be loved and supported by someone that doesn't have underlying motives. Remember those people...and be grateful for them. "To everything there is a season", and we won't have those people physically present forever. Love them.

Regardless of the number and memories you obtain, be grateful for them. I've learned that too (especially as I've aged) because innocence is taken due to the things of the world. Things change, people change, and sometimes our paths may change as well. Be grateful for the talents/gifts you were given. Be grateful to have things necessary for living..no matter how challenging it is to remember those things. Also, be grateful for the negative things. In reality, those craps offer us wisdom, growth, and the opportunity to help someone else that may be going through something similar. I'm nowhere near perfect in the "gratefulness department", but I'm working on that while dealing with my personal endeavors- good and not so good. After being corrected today about my semi-negative outlook on caring for people by someone I care about (haha irony), he taught me that there is something else to be grateful for: caring for someone and being cared for when it comes to taking risks in relationships. We really do have things to be grateful for...honestly. Someone's smile, rain, music, a hug, time spent with someone, witnessing a flower bloom, and the ability to love and be loved...are just a few things WE can be grateful for.

With Realness,
Bee Elae
1/3/2014