Feel-Good Friday: Gratitude with Attitude!

Yesterday I woke up feeling good. When I opened my eyes, I felt well-rested. The first thought that entered this often restless mind: Thank You for this beautiful day. Thank You for this gift of life. I'm not joking. As if Someone had taken these peaceful, all's-right-with-this-tiny-corner-of-the-world sentiments, wrapped them in Kraft paper, and sent them packing in a UPS (United Peace Service) truck to be set on my doorstep. Before my feet hit the floor, before my first sip of French roast.

And talk about cool coincidences: A few minutes later I was sipping that French roast and looking at some blog comments. 'Akelamalu--I haven't looked at her blog Everything and Nothing in a while'--that's what I was thinking. That's when I felt the pull of some gravitational force. I clicked to wander over to her place.

There I learned she'd just been awarded the Gratitude with Attitude Award. Wow, I'd like to have that one, I thought. Reading Akelamalu's post, I learned she didn't want to choose recipients and so the award was for the first 12 commenters. I was number 7. I came, I commented, I collected! It is such a fun-looking award too. It bears the name of Greatfullivin, its creator. Technically, I was awarded it by Akelamalu, who was awarded it by someone else. But Greatfullivin is the one who created it and started it circulating, so it's highly appropriate that that name remain there.

NOW, I will blindfold myself and twirl drunkenly through cyberspace. I will do this 12 times, and each time, when I open my eyes, the first blog I see will be awarded the Gratitude with Attitude Award:

1. Jo at Celebration of Life. Excellent choice, my gods of randomness. Jo suffered a series of setbacks a while back that would land many of us in a padded cell. The suicide of a spouse. A car accident she miraculously survived but with numerous serious injuries and dizzying bodily pain. A boyfriend who walked away from the accident and the relationship. The death of her mother. And look at what Jo's blog is called. Celebration of Life! She loves life and her family and her work and her home in Wyoming. And she has lost ONE HUNDRED pounds by focusing on living sweetly. That she is an inspiration is a study in understatement.

2. Meg Wolff, of becoming whole. After losing a leg to cancer, Meg took the time to grieve. Then she got back on her remaining foot, had a prothesis fitted, and put that new foot in front of the other. She kept on. Then she lost a breast. The doctor told her to make her peace with God. She did, but she knew she hadn't completed her work here on this earth. She wanted to be the strongest, healthiest Meg possible, so she began learning all she could about nourishing her body. She started eating a macrobiotic diet. She began to radiate health and happiness. She authored books about her experiences with cancer. She authored cookbooks about her new way of eating. Several years later, after that close call with death, she says she feels healthier than she ever has in her life. Yes, she glows!

3. JS, of Influx Transposer. I hope I'm not overstepping my bounds in calling attention to a blogger who chooses to author her blog anonymously. A few months ago we were talking about animal spirit helpers here at A Life with a View. JS commented that she was curious as to what hers might be. I immediately thought of a giraffe. JS sticks her neck out to live her life as authentically as possible. For one, she's a lesbian who has chosen to raise a family with her partner. For another, she's a devout Episcopalian who feels led to the ministry. Now, the Episcopal church doesn't officially condone gay clergy. Why does she remain in such a church? Why, I assume, to lead by example. That's what I call courage. That's what I call "GREATful living."

4. Mima, of Mima's Doings. A world traveler and adventurer--she's the one who gave Bennie and me the hint about snorkeling in the Yucatan--Mima was diagnosed with MS a while back. Now, because of immobilizing pain, she seldom leaves the house except for doctor appointments and the occasional, heavily medicated visit to relatives. But she writes a blog about her "doings." She is still quite the adventurer, although her journeys now are more often of the reflective, interior kind. She also regularly circles the globe, calling on blogs, dropping off dazzling comments that make us grin from ear to ear. An unselfish bearer of good cheer, Mima is a woman who is determined to live well. And yes, she does!

5. Angel, of Life Is a Gift from God. Need I say more? Angel's blog title says it all.

6. Whim, of The Babblings of a Whimsical-Brainpan. Survived a horrific fire. Sustained equally horrific losses in body and spirit. Writing a book about it all. Cheering on the rest of us bloggers.

7. Calamity Jane, of Medication Time. Hilarious ROFLMAO writing by one who is cooling her heels, awaiting a kidney transplant. No, I'm not kidding.

8. Jeff, of A Word in Edgewise. The kind of guy you'd love to have living next door. An unassuming family man who loves baseball and writes about it beautifully. As a kid, he endured countless operations for a cleft palate and instead of looking back on his painful childhood with self-pity, he jumps for joy to be "average-looking." He's modest. He's very cute.

9. Heather, of Bad Kitty Art Studio. Like all of us, she's had her share of troubles. Right now her loving husband is working his a** off to find work. You see, the family recently pulled up roots and relocated for him to take a particular job, but now the company's had to cut back and so that particular job is gone. So Heather is churning out paintings at a frantic clip as well as clearing her studio of unsold pieces. There are kids to be fed, rent to be paid. Rather than assuming the Injured Artist pose, Heather is rolling up her sleeves and having a garage sale. Incredible buys on wonderful things.

10. Sometimes Saintly Nick, of Nick's Bytes. Retired pastoral counselor. Recently had to begin using oxygen. Posts hilarious jokes on Mondays. Looks unflinchingly at the injustice and pain in the world and reminds us to Do Something. Writes with great love about his boss and spiritual nemesis, Alex the feline. Come to think of it, Nick is more than sometimes saintly. Try frequently.

11. Sandi, of Holding Patterns. Retired cop, wife, mother, and grandmother. Dealing with RA. Celebrates the fact that gun-carrying is no longer in her job description but is not too sentimental to deliver a well-placed left hook when it's called for.

12. Carol of Carol for Peace. Like Nick, Carol reminds us to do something to right the wrongs in the world. She also shares her beautifully written reflections on the natural world, accompanied by photographs that celebrate the quiet beauty in the world. That goes for Carol herself. Hers is a quiet beauty.

Wow. That's 12 already? So many "greatful" bloggers left unsung. You know who you are.