On reflection, there’s so much to be grateful for. And, if I’d known then that my life now would be so full of joy just from having and showing gratitude, even in the August heat, I would have started out being grateful so much younger.

Even so, I strive each day – not just in August – to be more grateful than I was the day before. Why? Because I’m human and being human means becoming lax, thinking I’ll always be grateful. But life happens, and then I find myself being grumpy about something or other. And, well, before I know it, I’m back to those old ways.

So, every day, I strive to have gratitude. This starts with realizing I’m awake in a new day to snuggling with my pups to putting my socks and shoes on and heading out the door for a walk to catching the first morning rays. I’m not always timely, but I aim to have a certain routine. And the pups know exactly what to expect from me from sitting down on the sofa to read my morning reflections to putting on my socks to grabbing my phone which serves as my camera and my walking timer.

What are some of the things you are grateful for in your life? For me, the list is endless. I have so many family and friends who I am grateful for. And I’m grateful for so many things such as being healthy, financially secure enough to eat out once in a while without wondering if I can really afford it, and having a laptop as I’m not always able to sit at my desktop in the livingroom.

So, from big to small, I practice being grateful. I am especially grateful for my husband, my son and his beautiful family, my pups, my friends and my family which consists of my momma, several sisters and two brothers, and even my job. I’m not always as grateful as I could be, but that’s why we get new opportunities every day to reflect and try again.

What’s one thing you are most grateful for right now? It can be anything. For me, it is the chance to take a nap before it gets too late in any day. Hubs and the pups are always napping (not really, but a lotttt), and so I let my heavy eyelids encourage me to join them, too, as often as my body or mind will let me.

Whatever your grateful is, I hope you’ll follow through and find the joy in it that’s waiting for you on the other side of that gratitude. Being grateful does so much for our lives, our self-esteem, our dreams and our future. Practice being grateful every day and see your life transform from dull and boring to bright and expectant. You will surely be amazed.

So, let’s let the hot August days transform us as we close out this month and approach a cooler September with a grateful heart.

Peace & love, Virg