Why I Feel Having Gratitude is the Key to Life

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Created: 02 May 2016

Written by Tammi C. Walker

The room was cold and the people there were 20-40 years older than myself.  I went to this room every month and had to sit in here for 3 hours each time. The room I was in was the chemotherapy room to fight cancer. I did not like going to that room because it reminded me of sickness.  The medicine that I was administered was making me feel sick and upsetting my stomach. I just simply felt weird after the medicine was given to me. Something so powerfully poisonous helped to save my life.  I am a proud lady and being sick was not in sync with being a young and vibrant 36 year old woman.  But I wanted to live. I had to live.  I have too much to be thankful for.  Three weeks later I was bald. A 36 year old woman with no hair.  Someone told me it is just hair.  I wanted to ask them to shave their hair off their head and give me a call letting me know how they felt afterwards.  Easy to say right?  This happened to me twice in 2007 and again in 2013. But because of the powers of God, I sit at my computer and I am typing this blog to you. Now I am healthy, strong and happy. Be grateful. Do you have your parents? I sure wish I did. Did you get to have kids? I wish I could have. Do you have a nice place to live, a car to drive?  What is going on with your legs? Do they work? What about your mind? Is it sharp and vibrant? Are you in good health and have you had your annual check up lately? Be ye grateful. It is 6:27 AM here outside of Chicago and it is something singing in my ear over and over and it is a bird. I love him or her. This bird is going crazy singing his or her little tune. Teaching me a lesson early this morning that I need to be happy to be alive. Okay little birdie I hear you and I am in agreement. Below are some of my reasons to have gratitude daily and think about yours too.  What are they?

1. I am alive- With life you can move mountains.  I can sing in the rain, dance,  hug my guy, watch my great nephews play and laugh with my funny nieces.  I can enjoy my amazing friends, I can attend class, I can give back to charity, I can.......I can do anything!
2. Someone is worst off than me- I may not have everything I want but I have everything I need.  My home is quaint but it is my little space. I really like it as I look around. I have reminders on my wall of being happy, live laugh love and this is my place.  I am grateful that I have a place to lay my head. When I drive downtown, I always feel sad when I see someone sleeping under lower Wacker drive.
3. My guy and family loves me- Gosh, I feel grateful that someone is checking for me daily. If he does not hear from me he is concerned. It truly warms my heart to be loved.  I have sisters checking for me daily or in 2 days they are looking for me. I feel warm and fuzzy. I am grateful for them.
4. My hair and hair stylist- Don't laugh now!  I have been bald twice. I wear my hair short and have for 20 years.  I love my hair. So glad to have it back. I love my hair stylist too! Okay so it is my lovely niece and I love her too. I look forward to my hair appointments because she makes my hair look so good but also I love seeing my niece. She is an amazing woman.   
5. I take vacations- Eddy and I love our vacations we live for them. We work very hard but play harder.  One of our favorites is the beach of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  Unplug sometimes and see the sun.
6. Amazing friends- I have a colorful set of friends I think. Amazing people in their own right!  They are from the 1970's to present date. Smart, funny, health conscious, beautiful and unique.  I value my friends. They have great values, morals and beliefs.  I do not get to see my friends often but when I do, I cherish them.  Gosh I am lucky!
7. Open and flexible- I love taking a risk. I am a very open person.  But what I am grateful for is I don't mind a little bit of failure. Try and try again. If you don't fail, how can you succeed.  So what if a business deal does not work out or a career choice. Try something else.  I would rather try and it not work out than sit, ponder and wonder forever.  I love meeting people from all walks of life. I am flexible and it helps me maneuver through life.  I had to learn to be this way and it has helped me.
8. Opportunities and options - We are not powerless but empowered.  I and you have so many options right in front of us. We have to tap into them and explore. It will be risky and fun at the same time. You will feel empowered when you step out and try something new.

 None of us live the perfect life but often times we have it pretty good.  Take a look around and smell the roses and remember to be grateful for today.