Really Deep Thoughts

There are 86,400 seconds in one day.
Days when I spend more than half of those seconds complaining, worrying, or doubting--those are my ungrateful days when I want to shut myself away from reminders of the splendor of my life.
I'm living for a day when all 86,400 seconds are spent in utter amazement at the world.

Let me tell you five things I am grateful for.
1. I live in a house. I get to have carpet, clean carpet, and four walls around me. I have a ceiling that never leaks, windows that close and lock, and my very own bed to sleep in.
2. I own more than one shirt and more than one pair of pants. I get to have more than one pair of shoes, and underwear, and a bra that fits me. I have a coat for every occasion, dresses, a swim suit, and pajamas.
3. I have a healthy body. My heart has never wavered. My brain is quick and reliable. I have all my limbs, all my digits, all my toes. The scars on my body make for good conversation. I'm fertile. I'm functional. I have all my teeth and my hair always grows back.
4. I have a family. I don't live an isolated life. I have my parents, both still alive and in the same home. I am friends with my siblings. I have a beautiful family unit of my own, my daughter, who is also healthy in every sense.
5. I have never had to fight for a meal. I have never gone to bed with an empty stomach. I have never known a day without a drink any time I was thirsty. I have seen and eaten some of the most stunning and delicious foods that exist.

Let me tell you five more things I am grateful for.
1. I am a human. I am part of a species that writes, makes movies, sings, catalogs a history, paints. We are powerful, intelligent, and capable.
2. I live on planet Earth. I enjoy on a daily basis sunrises, cloud formations, clumps of dirt, wind.
3. I am surrounded by things that will make me laugh, bring me to tears, inspire me to be better, and just plain entertain me. My bookshelf is overflowing with stories. I have the Internet at my fingertips to bring me within seconds anything I desire.
4. I am a part of America. I can choose my profession, my hometown, and I can openly criticize our leaders with no legal backlash. I could run for office myself if I wanted.
5. I can tap into that power--some call it God, some call it the Universe, I call it the electricity that keeps our hearts pounding and flowers opening--anytime I call upon it.

Wait, five more things.
1. I am grateful for sweaters, and for living somewhere cold enough that I can wear them.
2. I am grateful for my friends, close and distant, for their brilliance and their support.
3. I am grateful for baby leg warmers and temper tantrums.
4. I am grateful for anti-depressants.
5. I am grateful for every one of those 86,400 seconds.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!