Ten Things of Thankful - Week 36, 2017

The above image is of ominous dark clouds covering the sky above a green field that has red flowers which might be poppies in the right bottom foreground  and a large round full tree in the distance. The quote printed on the clouds in four rows of white lettering says "Stop focusing on how stressed you are and remember how BLESSED you are." The image is credited to Still Moments.*

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The weekend is here, and its time to talk about the good things in my life.  I think the image in the quote above fits this week well... dark skies like those where there are wildfires all over the Western United States, and dark skies where hurricane storms are bashing their way toward our shores in the Southeast.  Then there are the thousands of people in South Texas for whom life hasn't even began to return to normal yet. The ruined contents of flooded homes is piled high along the streets and roadways, homes must be gutted and treated for mold, and only then can rebuilding and repairs begin, and only if there was insurance. Schools and businesses have been damaged and destroyed. Jobs have been lost. More importantly, lives have been lost. The stories of hardship confront us with every news image. Stress levels are high, sadness abounds. Yet in the midst of all this darkness there are still blessings to be found, there are still reasons to be thankful.

I continue to be so very thankful for the way that people across this country, and even caring people from around the world, have come together to help us in this time of high crises. 

I am thankful for all the first responders, medical staff, military members, and individuals who continue to work long, exhausting hours to take care of those in need, while still having families of their own to look after.

I am thankful for the amazing advances that have been made in weather forecasting over the years which enables meteorologists to provide us with accurate information and visual images of  approaching storms so that people can be aware and have time to prepare for them.

I am thankful that many in Florida are heading the call for massive evacuation. Life is far more important than anything you own.  Staying behind means putting others at risk when they will be faced with trying to rescue you.

I am so thankful that the feed on our media and social networks has gone from the promotion of hate to promotion of caring and helping each other out.  Hate never solves anything, love moves mountains.

I am thankful that the older I get the less value I place on material possessions. While I have some things that I treasure, I realize that none are essential to my wellbeing or happiness, and that if everything was lost tomorrow I would still find a way to go on.  I am thankful for resilience and the survivor mentality that comes with hard experience.

I am thankful for the ability to stay connected with friends and family on a daily basis and to provide encouragement for each other.  Technology can be addicting, but it can also be uplifting and even lifesaving in so many ways.

I am thankful that I have learned to follow my intuition.  We have cancelled our planned trip to Galveston next week, because something in my gut tells me not to go. When I told Papa Bear about this he said he had been feeling the same thing but didn't want to disappoint me. Every time in the past that I ignored my gut feelings and pushed ahead it turned out to be a mistake. Older and wiser, I am at peace with the decision to postpone our trip until maybe next Spring. I may find out why this was a wise choice, I may never know, but for whatever reason, I am at peace with it.

I am thankful that I have learned how important faith and perspective are in life. Without hope, without reasons to be thankful, things can feel very bleak indeed. Realizing that there is always good to be found in people and in life gives us the courage to weather the storms, and we know that this too shall pass.

This week one of my sister's friends learned that she has very little time left due to a very aggressive form of cancer. I think we all hate cancer and the way it ravages lives and steals our loved ones, and yet I find myself able to say, in the end it will be okay, because she will get to go Home. As Ram Dass said "We are all just walking each other Home."

Blessings to you in the days and weeks ahead... Look for reasons to be thankful in your life, and remember to be a blessing to someone else!
 

The above photo is a click-button to the TToT link-up. It is photo of one of our beautiful Texas sunsets with blue still peeking through the clouds; yellow, orange and pink bands around the remaining sliver of bright sun, and a wide band of black earth below it on which I've written Ten Things of Thankful.*

* Descriptions of the included photos are being provided for those who may be unable to view the illustrations.