Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

I consciously try to not take anything for granted. When I stop to consider every person, place, thing or event that is part of my life, it is easy to feel gratitude for all the gifts that I have been blessed with. Being thankful and having the ability to also appreciate the not so great events in our lives can be very challenging at times. I firmly believe that those negative events ripple out and contain positive energy and outcomes. The positive is there; we simply need to see, feel and be open to the possibilities. Changing the way we think and seeing beyond the obvious can be very challenging, but is so much more rewarding than the alternative. Seeing past the pain, distress of the moment allows us to be mindful and aware of the hidden opportunities and gifts within.

My youngest son Logan is a great example of this. My husband and I had thought and planned to be done at 2 children. An unexpected pregnancy and loosing the baby at just over 4 months into the pregnancy was devastating to both of us.  I remember questioning "why has this happened?" and "what is the purpose?" After some time spent processing we became open to the idea and realised that we both wanted another child.  Logan would not be here today if that tragic event had not occurred first.

I am grateful for everything, every person, place and event in my life. I am especially grateful for my children. They are all special and unique in their own way and I am blessed to have been gifted with each one of them.

Michele Ward