I am fortunate enough to have so much in my life that I am grateful that I simply could not consolidate it to one column. I wrote a couple of weeks ago about the importance of acknowledging what we are grateful for and how it impacts your mindset.
In my last column I wrote about being grateful for my husband, our children, jobs, my family, friends, and the importance of purposeful intentionality when it comes to acknowledging your blessings and the impact it can have on your mindset.
I am grateful for my faith. Life is tough. If you don’t have faith or a belief that you aren’t here by accident, I don’t know how people get through the curve balls life throws your way. I pray no matter what religion my children choose one day that they always know the love of Jesus in their heart and choose Him again and again.
I am grateful for my dad. I know that he is watching over me from heaven and am grateful for the example he set for my sister and me. I know that he still plays a role in my life, and I am grateful for the many signs that he still has his hand on us.
I am grateful for the childhood my mom and dad provided me. A person is so largely shaped by their childhood and their first view of the world. I was blessed to grow up in a safe and loving environment that taught the importance of family, showed love, and instilled a belief of Jesus in the hearts of my sister and me.
I am grateful for my stepdad, Al. I am grateful that he showed up and stepped up when and how he did. I am grateful that he makes my mom happy and for what he has added to our family. I am grateful for what he means to my children and me.
I am grateful for my brother-in-law, Ben. He truly is a brother to my husband and me and I could not have handpicked someone better for my sister. I believe he was handpicked from heaven. I am grateful for the uncle that he is for my kids and what he has added to my life. I know he will be a wonderful father.
I am grateful to be an aunt to my nephew, Noah. I am grateful for the joy and light added to our family. He will forever have my heart and I love him as if he was my own.
I am grateful for my health. I do not take health for granted. I am grateful for a body that allows me to be there for my children.
I am grateful for my home. I am grateful for food. We work hard for our house, and I am so grateful for it. I love our home and am grateful for feeling safe. I am grateful we provide for our children and that they are not hungry. It is a luxury that I know others are not afforded and I do not take it for granted. What are you grateful for? The more intentional we are with our gratitude, the more our mindset changes and our outlook brightens.
I am grateful for God winks. What are those you may ask? My friend uses this expression to describe those times that you know God is winking at you with a sign. It may be something as simple as a dragonfly passing by when I’m worried about something or when I know someone has crossed my path for a reason. Whatever the case, when God winks at you, you will know it; you just have to look for it.
I am grateful for nature. I am grateful for beautiful flowers that add color to my garden. I am grateful for the bumble bees and pollinators that dance in my garden. I love dragonflies and cardinals. I am grateful for tall trees and love the feeling when looking out on a vast body of water. I am grateful for my dogs, Elsa and Lucy. While they are poorly behaved, they both add so much to our family and love them dearly. They have personalities that are endearing and make you forgive them for (most) of the terrible things they do around my house.
I am grateful for South Haven, Michigan. This is a place that has been an escape since I was a little girl. It has gone from a place I was taken to as a child that I now go to with my husband and children. I am grateful that this place has stood the test of time and that when we escape there, it seems time has stood still. My life is so different from when I first started going, but there’s a familiarity to South Haven that warms my soul and renews me.
I am grateful for books. I am grateful for the places they allow my imagination to wander, even though you may think I’m a serial killer if you saw the books I gravitate to. I love murder mysteries that would make Keith Morrison blush on the grittiest Dateline episode.
I am grateful for my memories. It is memories that stay with you as a link to your past and provide comfort on hard days.
I am grateful for The Reporter, which allows me the privilege of writing freely and without barriers, including pieces about my faith and opinions.
There are many things I am grateful for. These are just a few of them. I encourage you to reflect on what gives you a sense of gratitude in your own life. It makes a difference and changes your perspective when you approach life with a grateful attitude.
Megan Rathz is a wife, mother, and teacher. She says everything she has ever learned in life came from her Master Gardener mother.