I was thinking about the issues of the last few days, and it occurred to me that I have a lot to be thankful for, not just now, but for most of my life. I am really grateful for many things that would fall on the obvious lists of family, friends, health, and so on. Those are very precious and important, but there are some other things really basic that are greatest, things that make it possible for me to have many of the joys on lists of that kind above. I've enjoyed and continue to relish many treasures that don't fit so neatly or obviously into some predesigned format.

A few of my gifts from the Supreme Power include the fact that I'm intelligent and was able to seek a level of education to appreciate this gift; that for as long as I can remember, I have had skills of listening to and caring about others in a genuine way; that one brick in my moral and ethical foundation is that I am honest, almost to a fault, because I "tell on" myself; that I've had the ability to find a positive element on which to focus in even the worst of situations; that I am very trusting of all whom I meet, unless given a reason otherwise; that I have the ability to love deeply, sincerely, and with abandon, all who are willing to be open to that and to reciprocate. The examples could go on, but these suffice for my point. These are not the things one puts on a resume, nor are they for discussion at a social or business function, but in my book they are among the most important aspects of the individual. They are gifted traits (gifted to me), if you will, on which I've built my life.

I have some other aspects of my make-up that are not so pleasant. Of course, I'd rather not go into those, but I'm mention a couple to make my point. I am slow to anger but you don't want to be around me once I'm there, especially if you are the pivot point of my turning from lamb to lion. I'm also slow to forgive; once someone betrays my trust, it will be a long time before I allow them into my inner circle again . . . if ever. I'm impulsive; if I'm not careful, I can get myself into lots . . . and lots . . . of trouble if I jump into something without sufficient thought and planning.

So I'm wondering about what it is/was in my life that made me develop and act more heavily on those in the first list and to downplay or fight against those on the second? Many in our society are very self-indulgent, and with my impulsive tendencies, it would be easy for me to do that, or do so more than I already do. I could be into theft or fraud myself, like the person(s) who took money from my account. I might still be at a job that I left because I couldn't tolerate decisions that others were making; I refused to play the game of putting the dollar before the people, and was essentially "counselled out" of the job. I could have chosen the job/income over behaving in a way that I consider ethical. I've chosen to take the high road so to speak.

Consider these thoughts: What are some "good" and "bad" characteristics about your self? I'm not suggesting you expose yourself if you're not comfortable with it, but consider it privately, at least. Why are you who you are? How might your life have been different? Are you positively focused in your daily activities or are you one who hears/sees the negative side more strongly?

You don't say much here on my blog, as I realize that this can be deeply personal and tough to just lay out there. I'm simply pondering my own life situation and wondering about how it could be so very different if I chose to respond with negativity rather than trying to find that silver lining on the cloud hanging over my head and threatening to dump on me. This is a pain in the butt, but it is not likely to change my path much, because I won't let it. I'm an optimist, and I believe that The Universe did not grant me the good things I have just to smash it before me. I will survive!

Here is another quote that inspires me in this line of thought:

"Be someone who listens, and you will be heard. Be someone who cares, and you will be loved. Be someone who gives, and you will be blessed. Be someone who comforts, and you will know peace.Be someone who genuinely seeks to understand, and you will be wise. Be someone kind, someone considerate, and you will be admired. Be someone who values truth, and you will be respected. Be someone who takes action, and you will move life forward. Be someone who lifts others higher, and your life will be rich. Be someone filled with gratitude, and there will be no end to the things for which you'll be thankful.Be someone who lives with joy, with purpose, as your own light brightly shines. Be, in every moment, the special someone you are truly meant to be." -- Ralph Marston