Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Celebrating gratitude



I started a post about a few grumpy and unkind patients who were getting me down and sucking my energy but then I decided they get too much air time. In the immortal words of  Elsa “let it go”… 

When Lent comes around I always wrestle with the notion of giving something up. Michael often gives up sweets during this time which is so not fun. I have to eat my m&ms in front of him and try not to feel bad about it. I am really not good at giving things up. My two addictions, coffee and chocolate, I just can’t fathom life without. I also think those around me would suffer greatly. I know…I’m weak but at least self aware. 

Right before Lent I read this idea from a writer I follow (momastery.com) about giving up ingratitude. Ah, not coffee or chocolate. I can support that idea. Her suggestion was to every day write down three things you are grateful for. Not unlike the unkind patients, sometimes it is easier to be frustrated and sad with what’s not going right instead of the other awesome things going on. So, I am faithfully writing down my three things every night and it has been interesting and kind of fun. Some days it takes me longer to get to three than other nights. I also noticed that some items, like sunshine, appear more than once. In honor of my new found focus on gratitude, here are some of my favorites from this past month…

A dentist appointment with no cavities
Sleeping when it’s dark
Sweet 90-year-old ladies
My lost stethoscope found
Ibuprofen
New flavors of M&M’s (I know, it’s a problem).
A job I love
A rainbow
Good babysitters
Beachfront bakeries
The ability to try again tomorrow

Next time I have a grumpy patient I think I might break into Let it Go and offer them one of the new mega M&M's...

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