Count the Blessings

December 28, 2014 by Janet Pearlman

Elements of Home, 30 x 40, Acrylic with Texture on Canvas, $625

On Christmas Eve I had an appointment with a client who was running late. Inspired, I grabbed paper and pen and began brainstorming on what I am grateful for. After about twenty minutes I realized I might want to call the client to find out what was happening for her. It would be another few minutes– I kept at it and stopped when I heard the footsteps on the stairs. Wow I felt my spirits higher and more vitality flowing! Great!

Here I want to encourage readers to play with this exercise. Perhaps listing some questions will stimulate your flow of gratitude:

What went right this year?

What opportunities came your way?

Notice both simple things, like a chance to smile at a stranger passing by, to chances for moving forward or perhaps a juicier chance with effects more visibly running far into the future.

Did you experience new ways to express your talents?

Did you help someone? Did you receive assistance?

What qualities are shining through you that you are eager to share?

Looking back, what stories can you tell about events you did not prefer?Did some unexpected benefits show up afterwards?

What can you name about the joy running through you? What happened? What did you conjure in your mind? Did you have some good laughs?

I’ll also share some of the things for which I am grateful to provoke more thought:

The sun came up every morning and I did not help it a bit.

At my mountain home, the view of the stars from my driveway offers spectacular look at the heavens.

I prepared lots of roasted brussel sprouts, cauliflower, turnip and green beans in recent months. Yum!!

I purchased an updated and spiffy smart tv after 16 years with the old one.

Found satisfying clothing for very low prices at a nearby charity store.

This spring an art class had a big impact on my artistic skill creating landscapes.

I got closer to a woman friend.