COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS

Not only at Christmas but throughout the year
we all need to stop and count our blessings.
There are challenging times in our lives, there
are dark times, there may be times when you
feel hopeless, and there are always happy
times.
During all of those times we should stop and
take a moment to count our blessings.
If it is a difficult time you will find by reflecting
on the blessings you do have will help your
attitude in dealing with the situation you are
in.
Many times our own attitude will determine
how we see our world. When we are in a
happy time we see the world very differently
than if we are in a more challenging time.
To be happy does not mean that you have
everything in your life that you could possibly
imagine as if you were fabulously rich. There
are countless stories of wealth and fame that
have lead to depression, unhappiness or even
death.
Money does not make one happy; it is what is
within your soul, made up by your beliefs,
attitudes and character that leads to
happiness. Sure it is nice to have the money
you need to do things and buy everything you
want but that is only a material possession.
Some years ago, I always remember a friend
who told me they had everything they could
possibly want including a big house, servants
and money but were absolutely miserable to
the point where they left the marriage and
started with almost nothing. Many, hearing
this story, just wanted the chance to have
what she had but they were only looking at
the superficial aspects of life.
If you are feeling that life is pressing you hard
and that you are struggling with a multitude
of issues, one thing you may want to do is to
squirrel yourself away, by yourself, for just a
few hours and write down all the things you
already have in your life.
For example, do you have a roof over your
head – millions do not; do you have your
health – millions do not; do you have the
opportunity to live in a free society where you
can learn or do what you want to educate
yourself for a new career – millions do not; do
you have friends and family that love you –
millions do not.
I think you will find that you have more to be
grateful for than you realize.
The secret is to always count your blessings;
it truly does make life easier.
This past year has been a challenging one for
our family – we have seen challenging times,
we had some very dark times and hopeless
times, and of course we have had happy
times.
But no matter what was happening I always
counted my blessings and looked for the
good in the situation.
And as difficult as it was in some situations
there was good. I can think of a couple of
occasions where it was very difficult to even
think that there was any good, but it was
there.
My wish for you is:
May you see and be thankful for all the
blessings you have and may many more come
your way.
And may you experience the blessing that life
has to offer when you find the good in every
situation.