My work/unemployment saga still continues. Thoughts have consumed me for the better part of 36 hours. That’s why I’ve decided to stop and regroup. I remembered that several years ago Oprah started her own gratitude journal.
I don’t recall how she came about the idea. A search of Oprah’s website did not bear any results. However, I do remember that there was a run on all stationary stores across the nation. We wanted a journal. If Oprah says this exercise will lead to enlightenment…then sign me up.
I recall that a cottage industry was born out of the gratitude journal idea.
I have several journals. None are dedicated specifically to gratitude but occasionally I dedicate a week to 4-5 grateful thoughts each day.
So, in deference to My Girl, I decided on the drive home today that I would pen 5 things for which I am grateful. Here goes:
- Grateful that diapers, drain cleaner, toothpaste, ant traps and a few other sundry items only cost $65 today.
- Grateful that every time I spend $50 at my local grocery store I get $0.05 off my gas.
- Grateful for my good friends who show me so much love, so often.
- Grateful that Friday is connected to Saturday and tomorrow The Kids come home.
- Grateful that I have and know my God. He’s a good friend too.
I challenge you to jot down 5 things for which you are grateful. I guarantee that you will feel better.
It’s now the weekend. I have a ton of studying to do. Part of my homework is to read the Toni Morrison novel Paradise. I’ve not yet picked up the book but this is what I know – it ain’t an easy read. This isn’t the book you take to the pool or read over a weekend. No, this is a book that takes weeks to consume. Yikes!
Paradise was one of Oprah’s Book Club picks. She filmed an interview with Toni Morrison and also the study group she arranged. My instructor gave me the tape to watch. Ms. Morrison’s list of achievements is impressive. She’s been awarded both the Nobel Prize for Literature (1993) and the Pulitzer Prize for her literary work “Beloved.”
There are Societies dedicated to studying and discovering her works. Go ahead and Google Ms. Morrison and find out what driven really means.
Whenever I run across a person with such an broad and deep resume, it makes me feel better. I feel hope. Hope that there is a chance for me. Hope that I too can affect a change in my life; that I can live an impressive life by my own standards. That I can get to Paradise.
She said something that I thought was so telling during the study group taping with Oprah. She said (I’m paraphrasing) that Paradise only exists because others are excluded. Paradise is not open to all of us. In other words, if everyone could get in, Paradise wouldn’t be held in the same esteem.
If that is the case then how many Paradises have there been in your life?
Were you admitted to Paradise during high school?
What was your Paradise when you were in college?
Have you ever had a job that you thought was Paradise?
Is this why we characterize relationships and marriage as Paradise?
What happens when your Paradise becomes your prison? What then?
I can may truthfully I have not yet entered Paradise. Not one time in my life. Some of you are probably pulling your hair out because certainly my motherhood should be characterized as Paradise.
I can say “No,” unequivocally “No.” I love being a Mother. I am so proud to be a Mother. But is Motherhood Paradise? No.
As a matter of fact, studies show that child rearing is one of the unhappiest periods of an adults life.
This is why I remind myself of what I should be grateful . There are many things big and small.
I know My Girl Oprah would agree. When you focus on the positive, almost anything seems possible. When you focus on the positive, Fear no longer has power over you.
Do you know what cancels out Fear? Love! Show yourself some.
My Oprah Power Links:
Gratitude and Happiness
Thank You Power
Making Time for Gratitude
The Power of Gratitude
