Recognizing Blessings

I couldn't help but express my pent up gratitude this week.  Pent up because I hadn't genuinely vocalized it for weeks.  

First, I expressed it to my Maker during the drive to work in Warrenton.  Prayer relieves the weary soul!  Aren't we all prone to weariness at some point, maybe even more frequently than we would like?  I vocalized my prayer of gratitude for my health, my peers, my education, my co-workers, my concerned parents, my calling in my local Church, the sisters I serve in that calling, my loving and devoted boyfriend, and my safety.  Recognizing the multitude of blessings I have received and am receiving helps me to realize that I am never alone.  Not ever.

Second, I was brought to tears last night, thinking of the friends I have lost, both literally and figuratively, to the eating disorder and depression I suffered with for so long.  So often I think to myself, that was supposed to be me.  But somehow, in someway, I was blessed to be able to rise above it.  

On a slight tangent, I was sitting on campus Thursday afternoon eating a snack.  Not what I "should" have been eating, as one woman was quick to point out.  Rather, I was enjoying chips.  Cheddar and sour cream Ruffles chips to be exact.  Never in my life did I picture myself doing such a thing.  Eating them, for one, but also enjoying them.  On top of that, to be a dancer again and to be okay with eating what I crave and eating what best suits my strenuous physical and emotional schedule.  I ate a donut in front of my little dancers on Monday, when one of them brought donuts for the entire class to celebrate her birthday.  And I was proud.  Proud to show them that I can eat what I want, in moderation, and with control, but also with enjoyment.  

Blessings are poured out to each of us.  Do we have the eyes to recognize them?  With recognizing those blessings comes our increased ability to see the hand of God.  We may not be able to see His literal hand, but pretty darn close to it.  He is in our lives.  He doesn't throw out blessings to the masses, but knows each of us personally and specifically, showing us mercy and love.

With Thanksgiving upon us, it is custom to express gratitude for all that we have.  But if we wait until that one season to express thanks and recognize our blessings, we are bound to lose sight of the many blessings we have been given throughout the hours and minutes of every day.  Unseen miracles occur everyday.  If we take a moment to first recognize them and second remember them, we will be happier and at greater peace.  Try it.  I promise it works.  :)