Gratitude.

Woke up this morning with some gratitude.

I think one of the best things I ever learned from my momma was how she always modeled that things will work out. She carried herself that way and didn’t let the obstacles keep her from living and trying to build goodness. I think this frustrated my dad sometimes hahaha because at times it can feel detached or even irresponsible or unconcerned, (and maybe it is!) but in my view it always did work out. Even the setbacks worked themselves out one way or another.

I’m sure I learned how to carry myself some from this. I like to think it’s made me a fairly adaptable and easy going person.

There’s this virtue I know of sacrificing now and investing in your future and I’m not debunking the wisdom of that entirely, but I am reflecting on my choices, and a good ole song lyric from my buddy David in which he sings beautifully “the future is no place to place your better days.”

Or a Tim McGraw refrain from my youth “live like you were dyin’.”

And all these aspirations are just sitting present with me lately. Especially as life seems to be more and more expensive, and the pressures of the system move on straining opportunity or even the pursuit of happiness.

I lost a coach when I was in High School. I’m much older now than he ever got to be. And I think that long instilled in me that tomorrow truly is not guaranteed. Things can go south so quickly. But when you have gratitude, it weakens loss.

And I have gratitude. I’m the guy who does rewatch their crappy concert videos because I sincerely cannot believe I’ve been able to witness such things. I can’t believe I’ve had the opportunities I’ve had in life. And if things ever do go south, life has long felt full.

I’ve had my seasons. I’ve had my sadness. It says howdy from time to time. But I’ve enjoyed living and I’ve wandered out there and created memories that keep me uplifted and hopeful.

There’s always something to be excited for; even on the darkest day.

So choose joy. Choose goodness. Choose the concert. Or the slice of cake. Choose helping others have their own better days. To me that’s the best kind of sacrifice. Stepping in so someone else’s experience of life can be enhanced and elevated. Choose life.

We’ve got some trying days ahead of us. And it may get louder soon yet. We hear a dark story told too often.

We can rewrite that damn story.

Sometimes we ask the universe why these bad things happen. But may we not get so sidelined by that mystery that we never question why the good things happen. Never forsake the mystery of blessing and chance and things that work out and things being good.

And if your heart desires that sensation, seek gratitude. It’s already there if you’re looking.

Knock and the door will be opened to you.

Don’t just manifest, pursue it.