Feeling grateful to be alive!

Some young children were asked by their teacher to list what they thought were the present “Seven Wonders of the World.” Though there were some disagreements, the following received the most votes: 1. Egypt’s Great Pyramids 2. Taj Mahal 3. Grand Canyon 4. Panama Canal 5. Empire State Building 6. St. Peter’s Basilica 7. China’s Great Wall While gathering the votes, the teacher noticed that one student had not finished her paper yet. So she asked the girl if she was having trouble with her list. The girl replied, “Yes, a little. I couldn’t quite make up my mind because there were so many.”

The teacher said, “Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help.” The girl hesitated, then read, “I think the ‘Seven Wonders of the World’ are: 1. To See 2. To Hear 3. To Touch 4. To Taste 5. To Feel 6. To Laugh 7. And to Love. The room went so quiet that you could have heard a pin drop. The things we overlook as simple and ordinary and that we take for granted are truly wonderful!  We often forget how lucky and fortunate we really are.  We don’t have to travel to exotic locations around the world to experience the real wonders of the world; we are each blessed with the real wonders of the world.

Today, wherever you are, whatever life has given you, take a moment to really feel grateful to be alive. Then give back to life, something, anything, to show your gratitude for this miracle you’ve been given. Do anything: be kind to someone, create something, be gentle with your children, do something where your body feels full of life. We often not only take life for granted, but complain about it. Life isn’t perfect, work is boring, people are too rude, drivers are idiots, nobody listens to me, I have too many things to do. But goodness, look around you! What a wonder life is! If only we would take the time to see it, to really appreciate it. This moment is a ridiculously generous miracle. Gratitude comes from loving yourself and living your joy. Tune into what nourishes your soul and brings you joy, make a list of everything that brings you joy, and do more of it. Tune into what nourishes your soul and brings you joy, make a list of everything that brings you joy, and do more of it. Remember you cannot be grateful and unhappy at the same time. One day you will wake up and there won’t be any more time to do the things you’ve always wanted. So do it now………..