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Grateful Realizations

I subscribe to the Mindfulness Magazine and one thing I'm noticing is that serious meditators all advocate keeping a gratitude journal. I have always expressed my gratitude in my thoughts and prayers, but I've never been consistent about writing them down. I imagine keeping a daily gratitude journal would be an interesting experiment. I'm going to keep a daily record for one week--starting today--Sunday to Sunday.  I'll write my daily post about what I'm grateful for and see what comes of the practice.

Today, I'm grateful for my physical health. I have such vigor for life. I love getting outside, walking, running, playing sports, breathing the fresh air, and taking in the beautiful sights. One of my greatest fears has always been becoming paralyzed for I felt I wouldn't be able to "be active" any longer. And while I wouldn't be able to play basketball, run, do yoga or any of those activities in the way that I'm used to doing them, I would still be able to go outside, take in the beauty, breathe the fresh air, and find new ways to enjoy the activities I used to do, or heck, I'd find new activities to enjoy.

What inspiring thoughts! I'd still be able to read and learn--activities I relish! I could still love and serve others. I could still be kind, helpful, loving, thoughtful, gracious, compassionate, etc.
Essentially, I'd still be me. I am, and I am not, just my body--I am so much more!

I'm so grateful for these realizations. So far, I'd say that my daily gratitude journaling experiment has been a stellar success. It has helped me surmount one of my greatest fears. Obviously, I don't want to become paralyzed, but if I do, it won't be the end of the world. It will be a challenging and enlightening new experience.
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