I have been practicing gratitude. That is to say, I have been taking note of things I am grateful for…er, for which I am grateful.
(I am grateful for backspace.)


Recent counsel has advised me to make a list every night of such things.
(I am grateful for good counsel.)


Of course, I have not done so every night.
(I am grateful for freedom.)


But it has been fun to meditate on these bright parts of my life.
(I am grateful to have so many things for which to be grateful!)


I hear gratitude is the only emotion that can be self-initiated. I also hear that focusing on gratitude can release feel-good hormones.
(I am grateful for feel-good hormones.)
…..


So, this past week, I was overbooked. I actually triple-booked myself for the same time slot one morning. And I had things planned back-to-back from 9 a.m. until 11 p.m. more than one day. (Granted, not all of it was work. Some of the things were actually truly delightful.) But all together, it was exhausting … and I was just afraid of dropping some of the balls I was juggling.


So here’s what I’m grateful for:
The people who helped me.


Two dear friends in particular made my life possible last week. And, although I am getting better at asking for help, this time I didn’t have to ask. They offered. It was such a gift.


I am also grateful that I could accept the help offered to me. I’m so glad I have gotten to the place in my life in which I can let go of some of my pride and say, “Yes. Thank you. It would be awesome if you would do that. THANK YOU!!”


I am also grateful for the people whose grace allowed flexibility to work with my schedule last week. I hate to break commitments, and I’m so thankful for the understanding that was extended to me.



I think those three notes all point to something bigger: I love feeling like part of a team. This is what community is. It’s friendmily. A feeling of being in it together. 


And for that, I am utterly grateful.