Try this:  when you see the light of the new day for the first time, stop and give thanks for what ever you can, even if it is just that you have this new day.

Integrative Family Medicine’s friendly Medical Assistant, Keshia, shared this bit of advice on giving thanks.  It turned my head around and inside out!  Thank you!

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’s 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

I wish I could take pictures of each of your sweet radiant and sometimes sad faces.  I would carry you along with me on this journey.

I have always seen you as a community with much like-mindedness.  You share this passion for health that is open to all ways of getting there.  In my musings, I imagine us all outside on a sunny breezy day of summer among tall trees beside lightly rippled water. Over there are long tables laden with potluck foods; each person’s favorite healthy recipe.  What bounty and savoriness, we could make a cookbook!

I have the pleasure of introducing you to each other, multi-generational families, couples, lone ones, across ages, connecting by beliefs, interests, challenges, quests, and needs.  Mingling with the breeze is music played by some of you.  We feast our eyes on artistic pieces made from your pain and joy.  We reach out to touch the bright color, texture of crafts.  We make notes, take cards, make appointments to meet again.  We look forward to sharing this one’s healing arts, that one’s amazing business, a yoga class, a cup of tea.  Each one of us finds a new friend, a group of friends, a family like ours, a companion where once we were alone.

And I slip away, knowing you will be okay, you will grow, you will heal and flourish, you will have each other.