i live in gratitude
i live in gratiude
i live in gratitude
every day that i awaken and breathe
i am grateful
every day that i think a thought
and feel my heart’s stirring
i am grateful
every day that i am upright and whole
i am grateful
every day that a creative idea becomes solid matter
i am grateful
every day that i face that thing of which i am most afraid
i am grateful
every day that i am given awareness of the smallest of beauties
the most unsung of treasures
i am grateful
every day that i am enlightened
given insight
have an epiphany
i am grateful
every day that i exercise compassion
understanding
patience
i am grateful
every day that i encounter another living creature and engage
i am grateful
every day that i am hugged
kissed
loved
i am grateful
every day that i laugh
or make someone laugh
i am grateful
every day that my family is healthy and happy
i am grateful
every day that my friends do well in the world
i am grateful
every day that i change someone’s life
or someone changes mine
i am grateful
every day that love is evident in my life
i am grateful
every day that i act out of anger
impatience
frustration
a broken heart
i am grateful
for each affliction offers an opportunity
to learn about myself and my fellow man
every day that brings me a challenge that tests my spirit
i am grateful
every day that i am humbled by a mistake
i am grateful
why else do our mistakes exist?
every day that i am faced with seemingly unbearable odds
i am grateful
for the lessons learned
and the spirit toughened and strengthened by it
are more valuable to me than if i were living an effortless life
every day that i try
i am grateful
every day that i try again
i am grateful
every day that i can have some time to myself
for quiet and reflection
i am grateful
and when they ask me what’s new?
i will answer every single day
because every single day that arrives
brings a sun
a moon
a breath
a surprise
a blessing
a song
whether sung or heard
and the ear to hear it
a world of love at our fingertips
a capacity for hope
a reason to smile
and a heart full of gratitude
so when they ask me what’s new?
i will answer everything
at every single moment
and for that
i am grateful
Angela Carole Brown is the author of three published books, The Assassination of Gabriel Champion, The Kidney Journals: Memoirs of a Desperate Lifesaver, and Trading Fours, and has produced several albums of music and a yoga/mindfulness CD. Bindi Girl Chronicles is her writing blog.
