Lessons in Gratitude Day 185

Happy New Year!

I have about 40 minutes to write and post this blog before the clock flips over to midnight, the month turns over to January and of course the year turns over to 2012. I have already wished people in two time zones Happy New Year, and by the time most folks read this it will already be 2012.

People have asked me if I will stop writing the blog after tonight’s post–I guess the idea is that with the end of 2011 I have reached some form of completion. Nope. I have said that at some point I will cease writing every day; but as King Aragorn from the Lord of the Rings said to his legions of troops as they prepared to face a seemingly innumerable host in a virtually impossible battle, “That is not this day!” The Lessons in Gratitude will continue for some period of time known only to the Creator, because I don’t know it myself. Certainly gratitude will not take a holiday, but the writer might run out of things to say or at least out of interesting ways to say them. So we shall see.

I am grateful on this the last day of 2011, arguably one of the more difficult years I’ve faced in quite some time, that I managed to do once again what I’ve done for these many months: I picked myself up out of the blues, took myself out to be among friends, and came home with a much lighter heart than I had when I awoke this morning. No matter what else has been true over the course of the year, I have lifted myself emotionally many more times than I’ve allowed myself to be down. I might not sing and dance for joy every day, but in the face of it all, I have maintained a sense of equanimity and persevered in the midst of some fairly trying circumstances. It hasn’t been easy–just this morning I found myself sobbing into my “crying towel”–but somehow or other I pull it together and find the smile or the song or the light or whatever I can reach to bring me back.

I am grateful for the lessons of 2011, even the ones I’m still sorting out. Among other things, I’ve learned to ask for and receive help (a big one for me). I’ve watched out for teachers who are all around me–my children, the natural world, my dog, as well as the actual spiritual teachers, writers, poets, musicians etc. upon whose wisdom I have drawn over this past year. I’ve gained some perspective on what suffering means and can look at my life, the lives of many of the people around me . As I consider the challenges that many people face that are much more difficult than mine I recognize that I have so much that I take for granted, so much to be grateful for. I have also learned not to minimize the challenges that I have faced. Yep, there are many many other people in this country and around the world who suffer and are afflicted with dangers, ills, struggles and challenges that I can scarcely imagine. That awareness does not diminish the reality of my own distress, it simply puts it into perspective. And that is a good thing.

I have a lot swirling around in my mind and heart this evening as I write, but I am going to end this so I can post it before midnight. I am grateful for my journey and for those of you who have come along with me over this past half-year. May we all be happy and peaceful. May we be healthy and strong in our bodies. May we be safe and protected wherever we go in this world. May we live with ease and wellbeing. And may 2012 be a fabulous year for each of us. May we grow in love and compassion. May we continue to give to and receive each other. May we be well. Let it be so for each of us as we walk forward into the coming days.

I couldn’t resist closing without including one last picture from 2011 of my friends from whom I derive such continuing simple entertainment. Enjoy!

Fine Feathered Friends, New Year's Eve 2011

© M. T. Chamblee, 2011