"The Countdown" is on as I write this.
The Countdown to the end of 2016 and the beginning of 2017.
My wife and I will be in Orlando as the New Year is ushered in and the old year is kicked to the curb. I am Grateful that we are able to make the trip.
As with any "out-with-the-old-year-and-in-with-the-new," there will be fond memories of what has been...
and hopes for what will be.
There will be regrets and sorrows we leave behind...
and resolutions we make to help insure the next year will be better than the one just past.
I would like to say that 2016 was just OK, so far as years go. A mix of good and bad...sweet and bitter...birth and death...building up and tearing down.
I do lament the outcome of the Presidential election in our country...
but we will get by...
we will survive...
life will go on...
lessons will be learned.
But, truth be told, 2016 was messy...sometimes real messy. And...
Truth be told, Life IS messy…every one of us knows that…
First-hand…up close and personal.
The messiness
Is wild and sneaky
It lives in our bones
And makes a home in the very fabric of our being.
It doesn't care that we wish it would pack its bags
And get the hell out of town.
Truth be told...
The longer we live
The messier life gets.
And while I have no way of knowing what my mood or yours will be as the ball drops in Times Square on Saturday night...
I would like to suggest a few thoughts on the subject of Being Grateful as we say Hello to 2017.
Here's hoping 2017 will be a little less messy.
Being Grateful because all who will read this blog-post have received much in this life.
Being Grateful because it moves us away from being hateful.
Being Grateful because, when we think about it, its our moral duty.
Being Grateful because it truly is a learned behavior...and why not start January 1st.
Being Grateful because it has the possibility of turning things around...for the better.
Being Grateful because it really is so easy. A simple act. A kind word. A smile. Being there.
Being Grateful because it has the power to rekindle the inner spirit.
Being Grateful because there are people who love you.
Being Grateful because Karma/Fate/God will bring it back around to you.
Being Grateful for just being alive...for some measure of health...for whatever privileges you enjoy.
Being Grateful for where hard work...and luck...and time...and relationships...have gotten you.
Being Grateful because it will warm your heart...and probably your soul, too.
Being Grateful because its a way to intentionally reflect...to be still...to look back on and learn from the positive.
Being Grateful because it is...it most certainly is...a way to pray.
Being Grateful because 2016 (or any previous year) was gifted...not guaranteed.
Being Grateful because it will turn what you have into enough...maybe even more than enough.
Being Grateful because it almost always makes you graceful, as well.
Being Grateful because the effects of it...and the echoes of it...will go on and on and on.
Being Grateful for Here...for Now...and for What Will Be.
