Open Space

Changes in Gratitude & Changes in Attitude…

Gratitude has been part of my daily practice for quite some time, but this year required adding a whole new level. My list of things to be grateful for changed from things like family, friends, and wellness to medical professionals, fashionable masks, Grubhub, and Netflix. All the doctors, nurses, and healthcare personnel who went above and beyond this year are true heroes, and I am grateful to those who rose to this unprecedented occasion.

The news

has been gut wrenching, and combined with a heated election and the overlay of COVID-19, the weight of the world has never felt heavier on our collective shoulders. At least in my lifetime except for 9/11, and several gruesome mass murderers that I can’t bear to recall. And yet, the human spirit finds ways to shine its light through the rubble. I am always amazed at the brave, courageous people who step forward, roll up their sleeves, and lead us through the darkness. I am humbled by them, and eternally grateful.

I’ve seen it in my own family and friends. My niece, a young nurse, volunteered to leave her home base in Florida to assist the COVID efforts in New York for several months. A friend has hosted weekly fundraisers for the past few months raising thousands for local charities. I watched several neighbors leave each morning to work in hospitals and ERs during peak outbreaks. Several friends delivered meals to hospital units which in turn supported and we have found new things local restaurants. to add to our gratitude lists.

At every turn, there have I’ve adjusted my attitude so been reasons to be grateful, hot water, food in your pantry, much this year, I likely need but some days have been easier and a roof over your head, it’s a to replace my attitude meter. than others to find them. A good start. And, if I don’t make it to mindset change was needed I’m embracing changes in “Margaritaville” any time soon, in many cases. Many people, “gratitude” and changes in I may go insane. including myself, I definitely have had days and weeks where As we bear down on the last couple of need to change my attitude we struggled months of this crazy year, I’m reminded of around food. The with finding our Jimmy Buffet’s song Changes in Latitudes: comfort food and footing and/ or reasons to These changes in latitudes, changes in attitudes, over-indulging behaviors be thankful. I Nothing remains quite the same. provided watched as one Through all of islands and all of the highlands, immediate of my friends If we couldn’t laugh, we would all go insane. gratification, struggled through some We are all reminded of places we’ve been. but are not a good longof his darkest Italy, Austin, Greece, New Orleans! term strategy. I hours. All I could Visions of good times that brought us so much pleasure realized that in do was what I And make us all want to go back again. October when was doing for myself, remind Anywhere, but my living room! I was feeling especially him that there Good times and riches and son of a b#tch*s, sluggish after were blessings We’ve seen more than we can recall. spending the everywhere. We So many SOBs! Especially in line at Costco. month of just had to look But, we will be back again soon. September harder for them and maybe wait Especially for TP! in birthday celebration

…Nothing remains quite the same.

for others that have yet to show up. I had days where I was most grateful for Schitt’s Creek and an abundance of dark chocolate in my pantry. In all seriousness, if you have attitude. I know I’ll need both to get through the winter months. Nothing remains quite the same. Ever. Thank

God. This year has been about change at every corner, mode. All the cake, carbs, and Chardonnay definitely caught up with me. Time for a recalibration. Feeling well physically and mentally is paramount, and making decisions based on wellness needs to be a priority. Remind me of that today around 5:00 pm, okay? It’s a little scary heading into the holiday season when you’re already feeling a health deficit and waistline increase of about 40 percent. At this rate, I’ll be able to sub for Mrs. Claus

if

Christmas isn’t cancelled. 2020, you’ve tested us, but we with our changes in gratitude and attitude, we are gonna be okay. We still have plenty to be grateful for, and although I can’t hug my dad, I remain hopeful that people smarter than me will make it possible one day soon. In the meantime, I remain thankful for all the blessings life has to offer, and hopefully, this election being in our rearview mirrors. Time to move forward and get this year behind us before I run out of attitudes.

Happy Thanksgiving from my OTC family to yours.

If you would like to read more of Lori’s work, you can follow her on Medium at Lori Welch Brown.