Lessons in Gratitude Day 109

Tonight I think I will stick with simple gratitude. Earlier I started writing about my gratitude for the committed relationships I’ve been fortunate enough to have had, and I am grateful to have been in loving, long-term relationships. But somehow I got stuck trying to write about that, and for tonight decided not to push through the stuckness. A few simple things about which I am grateful:

• I am grateful that I have been able to afford to buy much of the healthy food I am required to eat during this nutritional cleanse process. This is not true for so many other people in this country and around the world.
• I am amazed and incredibly thankful that the tires on my car have carried me safely back and forth to Berkeley and Oakland several times per week even though they are balding. I plan to somehow get four new ones this week.
• I had a very good phone interview for a job last week; it was good to have my mind engaged once again in thinking about and describing what I’ve done and what I have to offer prospective employer. I hope I advance to the on-site interview phase. Let’s see what doors can open up.
• I am thankful for good writing–it inspires me. As someone who’s wanted to be a writer since I was old enough to hold pencil and paper, I love reading good works of fiction (I am a big science fiction/fantasy fan) and nonfiction as well. One of the positives I’ve experienced about having to drive Jared back and forth to work is not simply that I am guaranteed to spend 40 to 50 minutes a day chatting with my son, but also a similar amount of time listening to audiobooks.  I’ve been a member of an audiobook club for a few years now, but up until the time I moved this summer, my longest commute had been about 8 minutes. Now with the 12 mile (one way) commute to Berkeley I am almost guaranteed a solid 20 minutes of listening time. I’ve listened to a number of good books since I started driving back and forth in July.

These are just a few things I am grateful for this evening. Last week was a pretty good one. I look forward to what the coming week has to offer.