I have some bomb diggity friends.  I have one friend, in particular, who prays for me every month on the date of my birthday.  I get a text every month with a prayer for me.  I can't tell you how many times the prayer has spoken exactly to something I am experiencing at that time.  It happened again this month, I am so grateful. Today at work I had a friend quietly and sweetly let me know she was praying for me, for a situation that's going on in my life.  I'm so grateful.  I'm so grateful for the prayers of friends, known and unknown to me, that lift my spirit.  I hope *you* have friends in your life that lift your spirit.  If you do, have you thanked them recently?

I love cooking for people I love.  I love bringing a smile to their taste buds and faces.  I love making them something that I know they love and enjoy.  I'm grateful for the opportunity to serve the people I love in this way.  I'm grateful that I have so many people in my life to cook for and love in this way.  Tonight a bestie who has been living overseas came to our house for dinner and face time. She loves a dish I make so it was a no brainer to cook that up for her.  And send a bunch of it home with her!  It's a recipe that has ingredients a bit hard to come by in her country of residence these days so I wanted to make sure she and her taste buds were happy.  It truly makes my heart overflow with gratitude to cook tasty food for people.

This is a backward kind of Gratitude Attitude.  I have a coping habit that I developed way back in the day during a traumatic emotional time.  And it is such a part of me now that a lot of times I don't realize I am engaging it and that something is even wrong.  Why I am grateful for this coping habit is because it is an indicator to me and to others who know me well and know what it is that I am upset about something, worried about something, processing through something.  So if I don't catch myself at it and someone who knows me well enough to know what I'm does then I can stop the coping and start the thinking and figuring out.  It is rarely something upsetting on the surface of my life, it is usually something that is deep down and usually I am unaware of it until the coping habit shows up.  I am not grateful for the literal damage this habit does to my physical body and I've tried multiple times over the years to stop but it is what it is, I've learned...

(For Friday July 25) Generally when we humans hear the word "boundaries" we immediately think in negative terms.  We consider it oppression, stifling the human spirit, squelching freedom, etc.  But boundaries are actually one of the most healthy and freeing things we can establish in our lives.  Boundaries give us perimeters that encourage healthy thinking, healthy relationships, etc.  When I draw boundaries around my relationships or my days in regards to time I feel freer, I breathe easier because I have given myself permission to say no or to walk away or whatever the person or situation calls for that is appropriate.  By having boundaries in my life I have given myself permission to take care of my own emotional, mental, and spiritual health which impacts my physical health as well.  I'm grateful for the lessons in boundaries that I have been learning over the past decade.  By drawing boundaries and establishing boundaries in my life I have start...

(From Thursday July 24) I had book club tonight with two of my dear friends.  I drove home feeling all warm and fuzzy from spending time with them.  They are crossovers in my life, two of many that I am grateful for.  What do I mean by crossovers?  They were co-workers who became friends outside of the workplace and even though we don't work together any longer we remain friends.  They crossed over from being work friends to real friends. They are just two examples, I have more.  And I'm so grateful.  It happened when I entered back into the work force a few years ago and started working at Young Life.  When I left Young Life I wasn't sure how many work friends would crossover.  It's easy to be work friends but it takes a lot more intentionality  to be real friends. And I'm grateful for these friends who have remained in my life.  I love them dearly, they make me feel comfortable to be myself and to be honest about my life.  ...

(For Wednesday July 23) Yes, Crocs. But NOT these Crocs. I never did like those or even try them.  But when Crocs started making stylish shoes that were just as comfortable as the originals I took a second look.  When people find out that the two pairs of Crocs that I have are Crocs they are always surprised because they are stylish and not clunky.  My two pairs of Crocs have cushioned my feet as I have walked all over New York City, Washington DC, places in Italy and Greece, the ruins of Ephesus.  Best shoes ever. AND easy to clean!  I am not just grateful for these comfy and stylish shoes but I love them.  If you haven't looked at Crocs lately I suggest you do, if for no reason to see what they have done with the styling!

(For Tuesday July 22) In the past few years I have really come to be grateful for the local businesses in my town.  And I do my best to try and shop with them rather than the "big box" stores.  I'm grateful for their entrepreneurial spirit, for their desire to provide quality product at a reasonable cost and in many cases with a social justice mindset.  Not too mention supporting my local businesses keep my local economy healthy.  I'm grateful I have the option of local businesses to shop at. What about you?  Do you support your local businesses?