Gratitude

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Permalink Reply by Jerome on April 23, 2008 at 8:48pm

Hi Karen,
Love your reflections on gratitude. When I began treatment I published a daily gratitude list on my blog. It worked wonders for me and others joined in and shared as well. I haven't done it in a long time and your note reminded me of the importance of asking myself, "What went right today?"
I'm grateful to have found such a supportive and inspiring community, grateful for my health, my family and that I can eat and enjoy food once again. Thank you for the reminder.

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Permalink Reply by Martha on April 26, 2008 at 9:38am

That's a great concept for a book!!!! Creating a gratitude journal specifically for CanSer community.

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Permalink Reply by girlandcoconut (formerly known as lolabloom!) on April 23, 2008 at 8:48pm

Hi Karen,

Wonderful post. I think being grateful for the little things in life too is so important, gratitude should be a part of every single day, I think it would make the world a much better place. The 3 questions that you asked your children are fantastic, I don't have kids of my own but am soon to be a step-mom to two girls and this is something positive I could bring to my relationship with them. Thanks for sharing. Hugs!

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Permalink Reply by Glamma karen on April 25, 2008 at 7:41am

With my wonderful supportive family here at csl and at home I have made it through my first three weeks, of chemo and radiaition.Today is my last radiation and I get to ring the bell.My girls are meeting me to be there.I have so much in my life to be greatful for finding this site and learning and getting strength to do what I need to do for me.
karen

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Permalink Reply by Jerome on April 25, 2008 at 11:40am

Congratulations Karen. Give that bell a ring!

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Permalink Reply by Maria on April 25, 2008 at 3:03pm

Thank you, Karen. Just reading your post makes me feel sooo gooood!!! You just taught me how easy it is to open my eyes to the beautiful things and miracles that everyday happen around me.

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Permalink Reply by Lori on April 26, 2008 at 8:41am

Hi Karen,

Thanks for putting this comment out there. I know for me, almost 16 months out from brain cancer diagnosis and brain surgery, I tend to get so wrapped up in the details of life that I don't spend the time I need to experience gratitude. It sounds terrible, I know!

Fresh out of surgery I marveled at how tremendously blessed I was that I emerged from brain surgery with no deficits. This is rare and a miracle! A few weeks later I survived several blood clots in my lung and a partially collapsed lung. Another wake up call for me. I accepted it as such, and again was so grateful for my survival. Several months following that, I was diagnosed with a rare blood clotting disorder that puts me at very high risk for life threatening blood clots- forever. Something funky is up with my heart, too, but okay for the moment. Throughout all the stuff going on last year, I was in awe at my blessings. Where people around me saw misfortune and wondered how I dealt with it all with such calm and presence, I saw opportunity for growth, strength, faith, praise, and the manifestation of miracles.

Nothing has changed those thoughts. I know that I am so incredibly blessed to be alive. So far removed from the trauma, however, without the fresh, raw reality of my shaved head, 40 staples through my skull, and pain in my lungs, I find myself back to trying to survive the medical bills, the daily unending list of chores and the hectic schedule with the kids and two jobs. Don't get me wrong, I have learned much, and will never be the same. However, I tend to forget the miracle of ME. The importance of living today. I always try to incorporate gratitude into my life, and I can't help but chastise myself when I realize I am complaining about the annoyances of day to day living.

I need to go back to a few books that I read many years ago, such as "Simple Abundance", and "Mitten Strings for God", which focus on seeing the beauty in every day moments and savoring simple pleasures. I must find time to meditate and really learn and incorporate Deepak Chopra's principles. I want to carve out time to take a Yoga class and concentrate on the other essential aspects of healing in addition to diet. Sooo, change, growth, and learning continue long after diagnosis, as does the striving for doing more to increase holistic health.

Here are some things I was grateful for recently:
1.) The simple presence of my sleeping husband next to me, keeping me warm and cozy.
2.) Looking into my 10 year old son's eyes as I tucked him in to bed and seeing my great love for him being reflected back to me.
3.) The realization that I have not had "the blues" or the intense feelings of fatigue for an entire month (the anticipation of spring sure helps!).
4.) The sight of flowers coming up and the buds on trees after a brutal Wisconsin winter.
5.) Knowing that I can make ends meet for another month after paying all my bills, etc.,
6.) This wonderful forum of friends and like minded people.
7.) My cute little dogs and their unconditional love and unlimited energy.
8.) The quiet of Saturday mornings which allow me time to myself before the day begins.
9.) A wonderful view from our home of the acres of woods and the sound of birds returning to our area.
10.) Food and water that nourishes and heals me.

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Permalink Reply by ginger neko on April 26, 2008 at 5:44pm

It's been my habit for years to think of five things to be grateful for every day; it helps to clear my mind before meditation, and it helps to alleviate stress during the day. Sometimes it's something major I'm grateful for, like a clear CT scan; sometimes it's something seemingly simple, like seeing the way the light is hitting the mountains. Living through canser has been sometimes overwhelming, and it on those days when it's almost all-consuming, I remember that quote from the end of the movie, American Beauty:

"... I guess I could be pretty pissed off about what happened to me... but it's hard to stay mad, when there's so much beauty in the world. Sometimes I feel like I'm seeing it all at once, and it's too much, my heart fills up like a balloon that's about to burst... And then I remember to relax, and stop trying to hold on to it, and then it flows through me like rain and I can't feel anything but gratitude for every single moment of my stupid little life..." -- Kevin Spacey, as Lester Burnham

Not that I think of my life as stupid and little, but you know what it means. :)

Ginger

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Permalink Reply by ginger neko on April 26, 2008 at 5:48pm

And one of the things I'm grateful for today is Karen starting this thread to remind of us that beauty and magic is still in the world.

Karen, your story about waking up pain-free after draping your arm around your hubby brought me to tears. Nothing like the power of love!

Ginger

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Permalink Reply by Jules on April 27, 2008 at 12:36am

Thanks for such a great and positive post. I try to find things to be thankful for everyday. I love Spring. and I'm so grateful for the birds singing outside my window too!

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Permalink Reply by Rachel V. on April 30, 2008 at 12:06pm

I started writing 3-5 gratitudes per day when I was in high school. After reading the book, "Fearless Living" by Rhonda Britten my gratitudes slowly evolved & I started changing my complaints into gratitudes. The practice of writing daily gratitudes has been a powerful tool in my life!

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