Have you had one of those situations where a sudden turn of events blindsided you?
Your situation hopefully had a happy ending.
You may realize that it was a close call and you feel gratitude.
Last Sunday, I texted my daughter who has just moved to a new apartment in the city. She didn’t reply and I texted her again on Sunday and then again on Monday. I was beginning to get concerned.
She called back asking if I had seen her email. I found it and she explained that she had been at a friend’s apartment. Someone in the living room happened to look out the window and noticed flames coming from the apartment below.
She and her friends all left quickly, pounding on all the doors of the building. One friend helped the elderly women who lived in the building get out safely.
What they thought was a small kitchen fire that would be extinguished within a few minutes turned into much more.
Within 15 minutes the entire building was engulfed in a 4 alarm fire. Flames were shooting out of every window. The building was demolished.
Thankfully the residents were not hurt, although unfortunately a couple of the fireman suffered some injuries.
My daughter’s friend lost everything that was contained in the apartment. My daughter only lost her purse with all the basic essentials of life, keys, wallet, and drivers’s license.
What is most important is that they are safe and unharmed.
When these types of close calls happen, I have a hard time not going to that place of the “what-if.”
Again I’ve been reminded how precious life really is. How important it is to remember that while a life can take decades in the making, it can be extinguished in a moment.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
What I’ve realized is the things I worry about most, rarely happen. On a handful of occasions during my life, I’ve been jolted by a turn of events that I never expected. Gratitude is what I think about at the end of those days.
Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. ~ Marcel Proust
Living a life of gratitude will make you feel happier. You can even feel grateful for those moments of crisis in your life. Gratitude turns bad things into good. It reminds you of what is important and it encourages you to say thank you to other people.
Here are some ways to feel gratitude today:
- Every experience is a gift. Even if you feel confused or troubled, know that every event in your life can offer a gift. Look at the every situation with eyes of gratitude. It may be really an opportunity to grow and be creative. You are now stronger for what you have been through.
- Our greatest weaknesses can often prove to be our greatest strengths. They provide us with opportunity for growth that we would never have had otherwise. Everything about you can be used for good. When we feel unsure, it is a signal that there is something that we can learn.
- Growth can occur during times of crisis. Although we wish that life would go along peacefully, there are often bumps in the road. The Chinese word for crisis is written with two brush strokes. The first represents danger, and the second represents opportunity.
- When you are feeling fear, take a moment and notice the growth in your life. Instead of letting fear stop you in your tracks, look back and be grateful for how much progress you have made. Know the joy of gratitude. Feel the strength of your growth.
- Notice the miracles that have touched your life. They may have always been there, but now you can take notice. Become aware of the many gifts of your life by practicing gratitude. Be thankful for the little things as well as the big ones.
- Be grateful for the people in your life. Enjoy and spread the love. Acknowledge those close to you, and tell them often how much you appreciate and love them. We can learn something from every person we meet.
- Express your gratitude when others do something for you. That simple act can make a difference in your life as well as that person’s life. Take a moment out of your day to say thank you. It costs little and will spread happiness.
I am once again reminded about how grateful I am for my life and the people in it. I am waking up to another beautiful day. The sun is shining and all is well with my world.
Here is a beautiful poem of thankfulness to leave you with:
Be Thankful
Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire,
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?
Be thankful when you don’t know something
For it gives you the opportunity to learn.
Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.
Be thankful for your limitations
Because they give you opportunities for improvement.
Be thankful for each new challenge
Because it will build your strength and character.
Be thankful for your mistakes
They will teach you valuable lessons.
Be thankful when you’re tired and weary
Because it means you’ve made a difference.
It is easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are
also thankful for the setbacks.
GRATITUDE can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles
and they can become your blessings.
~ Author Unknown
How about you? What are you grateful for? Has your family had any close calls, that pushed gratitude to the forefront of your thoughts? Please share in comments.
