So often we get stuck in the day-to-day hustle and forget to acknowledge what’s really important. If someone were to ask “What’s most important to you?” we would be quick to respond with things like family, friends, being a good person, and so on. Unfortunately, we allow ourselves to get sidetracked a lot and temporarily “forget” our priorities. Unanswered emails clamor for our attention, deadlines and “to-do” lists clutter up our minds and steal our attention. As a way to temporarily silence these outside distractions, I like to look back over the past month and remind myself what is beautiful in my life. I try to identify three things that have happened in the past few weeks that I am grateful for and recognize them. I remind myself that these are what make up my life and have value. And for them, I am grateful.

Due to several terrible events in Orlando this month, my gratitude is focused on more serious topics this month.

Top 3 things I’m grateful for in June

1. My safety. I live in a relatively safe neighborhood in a relatively quiet town. Fortunately, we have been unaffected over the years by events that have ravaged other quiet towns throughout our country. Someday that may change. For now, I am thankful that my community has never had to experience a mass shooting, a school shooting, or a terrorist attack, along with others. We’ve experienced things nearby, but nothing right in my own “backyard.” My community is safe and healthy in the grand scheme of things.
2. My community is very tolerant of differences. We are diverse in our schools, churches, and workplaces, but everyone tends to get along. I’m certain that racism, hate, and judgment are present, but it is not prominent here, and certainly not on a catastrophically violent level. I have been fortunate to grow up, work, and be friends with people of different races, religions, ideologies, and cultures.
3. Should anything devastating someday happen, I am fortunate to have a strong family support system to help me through. My family is very close and very supportive. In times of need, they rise to the occasion and provide whatever help they can. I know there are many who are not as lucky.

What are you grateful for this month?

-To your Better Life-

Kira