A new year

Well, here I am in 2010. I have been thinking that this blog needs to have some purpose or it's pointless for me to write here. I wondered, is a blog about gratitude enough? I've decided it is.

The state of being grateful; thankfulness.

I'd like to be in that state more frequently this year. I learned just before the new year that a good friend had died in an explosion. Sudden, tragic beyond all measure of words. So many have said eloquent things about her, and I feel almost reluctant to write because I can't do justice to the loss of such a person.

I remember how I used to leave myself notes at night that contained reminders like "Get up at 7!" and "Go for a jog before work!" Sometimes, if I was in a deep rut, I would write out a morning schedule, laying out what time I should get up, shower, eat breakfast and get out the door - admonishing myself not to be late for work or lay in bed and hit snooze over and over. I told my friend I did this because my night self was better-intentioned than my morning self. How she laughed and teased me about that. I don't write those notes anymore. But I pledge to try and be my better self this year, as a testament to the kind of positive life she lived. I know she was an uplifting influence on so many. Even on those mornings where it seems impossible to drag myself out of bed, I know I'm lucky to be here, navigating myself through life on the best course I can find.

Here's to being grateful. To being here.