November 16th: Gratitude for the Simple Things

Hello! Happy Friday!!

So I'm jumping in here for a minute to talk about what I'm grateful for 
today. :) Yesterday, I was running errands, trying to get a million 
things done.  Side note, why is there NEVER enough time in the day? I 
feel like I am always pushing things as far as they can go, and I'm 
still needing to get more done, or not spending as much time as I would 
like to on something. Anyways...). I was about fifteen minutes behind 
schedule (got caught up talking to someone - great conversation 
though!) and my gas light came on. UGH. So inconvenient. Of course I'm 
in a gas station dead zone, totally unfamiliar part of town, driving 
around, trying to track down a gas station. I know it doesn't sound 
like the worst thing ever, but very annoying nonetheless. I know we've 
all been there. ;-)

Anyway, I find a gas station, hand the attendant my card, and just 
tell her to fill my tank - here in Oregon we don't pump our own gas. :) 
Guess that in and of itself is something to be grateful for! As I'm 
sitting there waiting, watching the seconds tick by, growing impatient, 
this guy pulls up to the pump next to me. He is rummaging around for a 
few very crumpled $1 bills, and a small handful of coins that he hands 
to the attendant, and says, "just give me whatever I can get for that". 
My heart sank. I don't know what his situation was or what is story is, 
but that small window into his world made me feel so heartbroken for 
him, and SO grateful for what I do have. I realized during this month 
of gratitude, as well as everyday, its so important to be grateful for 
having the things you need. The basics. A lunch, morning coffee, a cozy 
bedroom at night, and today, the ability to pull up to a gas station, 
and get gas without thinking about it. Such a privilege, and I am so 
grateful to be in that position. To have the things I need, and to not 
have to worry about them.

As we go into the weekend, enjoying festive activities and get ready for 
Thanksgiving, take a moment to appreciate and be grateful for the small 
things. When you're checking out at the grocery store and the line is 
longer than you want it to be, use that time to think of the things you 
do have in your life and the fact that you have the money to buy your groceries. 

OXOX
Amanda