Appreciating Life (a counter to the whining blog)

I admit it. I enjoy looking at the stats on my blog. I enjoy wondering who out there is reading all my silly ideas. I just like sharing my random thoughts with other random people who happen upon my website. And I really love the idea that our connection is (mostly) anonymous and coincidental.  The Internet is cool.

What I have noticed is that edging right ahead of the blog entry describing the sequel to Dark Corner is a rant I did quite some time ago about whining.  Of all the entries I have written, people seem to want to read my wallowing complaints about my life. I find that funny (both odd and humorous) because most people hate to be around people who are whining. I can't stand it when my children whine. Yet, this is the entry with the most visits consistently month after month. I'm wondering what that says about human nature.

So, I guess I'll do an informal test. I'll write a list of elements in my life that I am grateful for and appreciate, and see how the statistics rolls out in the next few months.  Should be fun. I'll try to figure out what it means about the human psyche if the positive, grateful blog gets more or less numbers than the whining one.

I am just back for a two week trip to Arizona (Grand Canyon) and Utah (my brother). I had a wonderful time and made a very good decision to stay off the computer for the duration. Now that I'm back online, here is my appreciation list.

I appreciate...

• that I had a safe and enjoyable trip with my son who is a very laid-back traveling companion
• that my brother seemed to be doing quite well health-wise (his body has been through a lot following a paragliding accident)
• that my daughter and husband had a good time while we were away and enjoyed some genuine bonding time
• my son's helpfulness and sharp mind
• that my children behave so well in public and make good and lasting impressions on the adults they meet
• that my children both are naturally liberal in their thinking
• that my daughter is so cheerful and strong-minded
• Clever Boy Pet Care and all it has given me both financially and spiritually
• that I had good, kind, well-educated reasonable parents
• that my brother's family is so loving and supportive of one another
• my husband's support and love
• my son and daughter's selfless love for me (and it really is)
• my strong body -- low blood pressure; low resting heart rate; pain-free life
• friends who care for me and support me
• my son's tutor and the incredible opportunity she has given me by choosing him as a practicum student
• the deeply close relationship I have with my children
• the very comfortable house and neighborhood that I live in. I feel very safe.
• the skills that my children are developing.
• the fact that I gain new and valuable knowledge every day (some through reading; some through living daily life)
• my increasing understanding of the benefits of meditation
• my ability and willingness to release the pain that meditation brings up -- to release it and feel "clear" or "clean"
• my family's good health
• that I can dream and imagine beyond limits (e.g. I get great satisfaction from dreaming about owning a hobby farm with horses for my daughter)
• green eyes
• really great food that makes me feel burden free and joyful when fueling my body
• being tall
• that a measure of spirituality is moving back into my life
• that I am getting more comfortable with myself and who I am in relation to the world
• that I am an introvert who is learning to love others openly, learn from them, teach them...
• my reliable, safe car
• that my children are beginning to watch stuff on TV that I like too!
• that television entertainment (which I love to relax with) is really high quality these days with so much to choose from
• Oprah's show - Super Soul Sunday
• Daniel Radcliffe (I think he's a truly good soul, great actor, and I hope he can stay sober)
• Robert Downey Jr. (same as above)
• private swimming pools that I get to use!
• warm blankets, hot tubs, air conditioning, seats that recline, selzer, eggs, cough drops, and antibiotics

That's it for now.

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