By Mikkee Hall, Guest Blogger

Today’s post comes from Mikkee who, like all of us, could find many reasons for disappointment and discontent,
but instead chooses to live her life full of grace and gratitude. I hope you will enjoy this chance to “meet”
my sweet friend!

Gratitude. Thankfulness. Appreciation. I have begun and erased, and started this article over countless times. I thought I had so much to say about gratitude, yet I am at a loss for words. How do I nurture a grateful heart? It feels elusive at times. But I yearn for it because when my heart is grateful, it turns everything on its head. But sometimes it is oh-so-hard!

Recently Huffpost ran a piece on The 7 Habits of Chronically Unhappy People. I clicked on the link because I wanted to see if I was one of those unfortunate souls. As I read the seven habits, I was struck with how gratitude changes us. When we find the smallest bit of something to be thankful for, even when we don’t feel gratitude, it comes in time as we focus on simply finding the places in life we can celebrate or murmur a thankful prayer.

Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.
(Melody Beattie)

Several years ago, in place of a New Year’s resolution, I decided to pray and meditate on the word gratitude for the entire year. As time passed, my thinking shifted and my heart was filled with joy – even in the midst of a difficult year. I began to interact with life, and people, in subtly different ways. My year of thankfulness gave me laser focus, a time to wonder and wander over all the roads of gratitude and how it plays out in my life in real ways.

Sometimes I forget to stop, see and feel; I forget to live on purpose. Looking at life through the lens of gratitude anchored me in hope, and gave me the perspective that life is not as bad as it seems, that there is a God who loves me deeply and knows me perfectly.

So, friends, here’s to slowing down, taking a deep breath, and seeing the world anew with glittering eyes!