Count Your Blessings

"The secret of happiness is to count your blessings while others are adding up their troubles." ~William Penn

I started the year out hoping to embark on some quest for happiness, and what I ended up doing was adjusting my life to feel happier. I began to take stock of what was working, what was not working, and what needed a slight adjustment. 

I have walked this Earth for 40 years. In those decades, something good had to happen at some point. 

Here is my list of BLESSINGS that I have in my life. 

1. I am intelligent. Yes, I will say it. I am intelligent. I have incredible critical thinking skills, I am perceptive, and I think fast on my feet. Granted, I joke and say I am terrible in math (which I am,) but I far exceed in other aspects of my life. I will never be accused of being "dumb."

2. I have a formal education. I feel completely blessed to have been able to attend and graduate from college. I went straight through and did not allow life to throw me any major curve balls. Once I made up my mind - I did it. I never changed my major, and I have stayed within my field of communications.

3. I have a mother and a father a sibling. My parents are still alive and married for almost 41 years. That is a blessing so many of my friends never experienced.

4. I can dance. There- I said it. I am not talking about club dancing. I mean I took years and years and years of ballet. Not just basic classes- actual advanced classes with pointe shoes and everything. I am a really good tap dancer. I was great at modern dance and jazz. I was told by my ballroom instructor, "You move so lightly and swiftly across the floor." I can even do a decent job at Flamenco. I think having a God given talent that came very easily was a blessing.

5. I have a picture perfect memory. One thing I can always assure you, I remember everything you say. I rarely take notes in a meeting, because I don't have to. I am an auditory learner. Even in school, if I took notes, I would not retain what was discussed in class. If I sat and listened, I would remember every detail. Good for work and class, bad for arguments with your spouse and friends. ;-)

6. I know how to forgive. It took me years to get to this point, but one day I woke up and realized that people do things because they are scared, hurt, angry, and insecure. I was able to look at the whole person, and then tried to see where they were coming from. That does not mean I think that they are "good people" or are innocent. It just means I know how to give it up to God and turn the other cheek. I don't have to like the person, but I can be fair.

7. I was brought up with a belief in God. I have attended church since I was a baby. I was christened, had a first communion, was confirmed, took a saint name, and continue to believe and practice. My family sat with me in a pew each Sunday. My parents were youth leaders at church. They taught Sunday School. I later became a youth leader, was a part of a bible study group, was a member of the Ladies' Axillary to the Knights of Columbus. My faith just gets stronger. THAT is an ultimate blessing.

8. I am not prejudiced nor did I grow up in a home that was. You were never allowed to use the "n" word in our home, nor do I allow it in my life now. My friends were from different countries, cultures and were of different races and religions. My mind was shaped to be open at a very young age and I feel completely blessed to think this way.

9. I love to read and write. I could spend a whole day shopping for books and spend the entire evening reading them. I am always reading several books at one time. I love the written word. (I just hate proof reading my own stuff. ;-) OBVIOUSLY. I feel sad for people who don't read. You can always tell by conversing with people whether or not they are big readers, and you can definitely tell if someone is a writer. 

10. I have a home, a car, and a closet full of clothes and a frig full of food. I have all the electronics a person could want or need. I have tons of high end cosmetics and designer hand bags. I have money in the bank. THIS brings me a sense of peace. Material stuff? Check, check. But what brings me even more peace - I can live without these things, and I have. THAT makes all the difference. 

11. I have traveled, and still have a ton of places I want to go. I have a hunger for wanting to see the world. If I can't see the world, then I have the ability to bring the world to me through the 14 exchange students I have hosted, an international husband, eating at ethnic restaurants, learning foreign languages and watching documentaries and foreign films.

12. I am not afraid of public speaking. I like a challenge. I crave change. I am resilient. These are tough ones for some people.

13. I have a niece that I can love with my all heart. She brings me joy and headaches - some how all at the same time.

14. I am loyal, and my true friends are loyal in return. 

15. I care about our planet. I care about the poor. I care about the neglected. I want to do something to make a difference in this world. I think these wants motivate me to be a better person and in turn are a blessing.

What are a few of your blessings? Think about it.. and share with me.