Gratitude In Action

Gratitude is a verb. It’s a word of action. “If I’m grateful for it, I take care of it” is a quote from a friend Paul. He’d often share insights and being a bit older than myself I found his experience valuable. As I think of gratitude, I’m reminded that in certain aspects, I grateful and still don’t take care of certain things. My health, for instance.

Over the past month, I haven’t felt well but not to the extremes of several friends. Four friends have been ill in the last month. Two hospitalized more at least a week, another probably should have been admitted into the hospital and is still sick two weeks later, and yet another took about a week to recover from his diminished health. Pneumonia and other health challenges slowed down my comrades.

My reason for mentioning gratitude and taking care of what I am grateful for are as follows. When packing items for this trip, I packed my juicer. I envisioned purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables from a local market and starting to juice again. I’ve been in the country for over three months and I’ve yet to unpack my juicer. I removed it in Manila but didn’t use it once. I haven’t used it in Cebu.

I’m uncertain of my hesitancy, maybe because I’ve yet to find my own place. But what I envisioned was allowing myself to live a healthier lifestyle. Of not smoking and eating mostly fruits and vegetables with fish and other meats in moderation. I will get to the vision but it’s not yet manifested. I don’t know if it’s a lack of gratitude or simply poor planning on living accommodations. Time will tell.

Today, Saturday, March 2, 2019, I am grateful that:

I can recognize areas of deficiency. I am willing to fearlessly and objectively shine a light on areas in which I need to improve. I am willing identify those areas and formulate tactics needed to lessen their current impact.

I can be honest with regards to areas needing improvement. I have no illusions of self perfection. I am not perfect, far from it. I have multiple areas in which I can improve. I am happy to move in the direction of progress.

I am willing to do more of what I do better and work on getting better and what I don’t do well. Constant improvement is a great thing. I continue to write and improve on what I do well. I continue to identify areas in need of improvement and work on getting better. I am uncomfortable. I will continue to work on what is needed so I can be a better servant.

Move forward. Get better. Small consistent improvements over time make enormous changes over long periods of time.

Be Impactful.