I try to reframe my attitude about my day. Often, I am unsuccessful and need reminders of what is truly important. Today's thought is, "What have I given today? What have I given to make somebody's day better?"
I also try very hard to think this way before the end of the day so that there is time left. Have I given time to others? Have I given my attention to others? Have I given any of the many gifts God has given me back to others?
Many times the answer is no. Why not change that? Why not change the answer to yes?
This is the pep talk I gave myself today. I need lots of pep talks. I'm tempted to set a reminder on my cell phone to give myself a pep talk when I need it.
Was my day about myself? About my aches and pains, my frustrations and fears? Or, was it about others? Was it about living in the present and giving of myself so that when I lay my head on my pillow at night that I haven't held myself back in reserves out of fear or selfishness?
There is always something that can be given, even if prayers are it. Prayers can be the most important of all. Even if I think about my little pep talk right before falling asleep, I can always give prayers. I can always give thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is a gift to others as well, even if it is made in private.
Why?
The more thanksgiving I give, the better able I am to recognize that everything I have is a gift. Everything is mine only because it was given to me by God or by others. I can then give away anything I have because nothing is mine to begin with. (Oh, and I hate dangling prepositions, but even those are given to me by God, so they're free to hang out-- Praise be to God for the ability to speak, to write, to read, and dangle prepositions!)
There are so many gifts in life. I pray for the ability to recognize them, to give thanksgiving for them, to give them freely, and to always remember to pray.
Amen
