Days of Gratitude

(Post by Gratitude Girl, Carolyn Buttram)

“When one admits that nothing is certain one must, I think, also add that some things are more nearly certain than others.” Bertrand Russell

Friday December 18, 2009

Today I am grateful for…not knowing.

The longer I inhabit this earth, the more I realize my job is to be thankful and let life unfold as it will. It seems that the universe’s planning is so much more exact than anything I might do.

Every day, as soon as I wake up, I begin to say, “Thank you!” Over and over as I stretch and begin my day, I give thanks. I used to give thanks for particular things and particular people. But now I just give thanks. And life has rewarded me with all the marvels we think we want as humans. Health, great friends, peace, joy and love come to me easily and effortlessly now.

When I think about the beauty of gratefulness, I only have to consider the events that have brought me to Atlanta this weekend. My longtime friend, George, from L.A. has been planning on a trip to Atlanta to have me take his acting headshots and finally decided about a month ago that this would be the weekend he arrives. But he is only available for the work on Saturday and Monday. Meanwhile, my breakfast plans for today cancelled at the last minute. And my lunch plans for today also cancelled.

So I was not too surprised when one of my best friends called yesterday afternoon to tell me her Grandmother (who raised her) had died and that the funeral is today. When I think of all of the converging events that happened to get me to Atlanta on this weekend, and additionally, to get me here and have ‘my’ plans cancel at the last moment so I am open to attend this funeral to support Victoria, I am reminded of why I am always grateful.

It seems to me that our only response to whatever happens should be “Thank you”. But I guess that just lets you know, I am a huge believer in the rightness of the overall flow of life, even when it seems disorderly, and we don’t know why things are happening the way they are, we can be assured our best life is being put together. And for that, and for my friend, I say “Thank you.”