Counting Blessings: One At A Time

Today has been a frustrating day.  Instead of giving an account of the unpleasant things that happened today, I would rather count my blessings, one by one, from one moment to the next, day by day, week by week, month by month and year by year. 

On a great day, it is easy to be thankful for our blessings.  On a normal day, this may take a little bit of concentration.  On a day like today, however, it is not easy to see my blessings.  But, this does not mean that there aren't any.

• My parents are planning a vacation and will come to see me and my family.  That's a great blessing! 
• It's summer!
• My son has been accepted into the school of our choice!
• I love what I've done to my room.  I feel good whenever I go to my room.
• My meds are finally working properly!  It took a while to get here, so this is a special blessing.
• My husband loves me, and is committed to our family.  I want nothing else.
• I am going to finally learn some French on my own, starting July!  Exciting goal.

The magical thing about counting our blessings is that once you get started, the blessings just roll off the tip of the tongue one after another.  It no longer matters what kind of day this has been.  In mental illness, we forget that we have blessings too.  Let's not let the gloom discourage us.  Take a deep breath, and start listing one little blessing, then the next, and the next, and soon more will follow.  It works!

Bless you, my friend.  We do not need to handle our mental illness on our own; we can share our blessings with each other!

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Count Your Blessings

by Kelly Johnston

Count your blessings instead of your crosses; Count your gains instead of your losses. Count your joys instead of your woes; Count your friends instead of your foes. Count your smiles instead of your tears; Count your courage instead of your fears. Count your full years instead of your lean; Count your kind deeds instead of your mean. Count your health instead of your wealth; Love your neighbor as much as yourself.