Gratitude lists have been around for a long time but I don’t think I’ve ever written about the subject in specific terms or attempted an actual list. Recognizing what makes me thankful has always been engrained in me and I am quick to point out the positives in life whenever possible. Focusing on appreciation for the positives has also been one of my go-to coping tools whenever feelings of doubt or darkness loom.

Darkness is the absence of light, yet the absence of darkness is incapable of creating light. Only light can overcome the darkness created within the shadows.

I wrote the above because I believe the power of my own positive thoughts are what overcomes the darkness. Both light and darkness exist in a strange balance. No matter how dark, gloomy, or empty any moment may seem I can always count on finding something that I am equally thankful for to contrast the moment. Here are a few things I am thankful for today.

• I am grateful the sun came up today, even if the sun rising is a given.
• I am thankful the world really is a better place than some others make it out to be.
• I am glad that in my past I chose to take the red pill over the blue pill.
• I am grateful that I have never tired of sharing kindness toward those I care for.
• I am grateful I have given myself so many second chances in life.

Each day brings something I can be grateful for if I just stop and recognize them in the moment. I’ve begun an exercise to list those things and I’m interested to see how following this practice will feel. Stay tuned.

Update: I took down the Gratitude page, it just wasn’t working for me.