Nothing beats the sound of a flowing river. Nothing beats the shade of the trees in the forest. They are my happy places. Nature calms you down. It gives you a reason to slow down. To reflect and appreciate how far you have come. It also makes you realize how fast you have been moving. Jumping from one goal to another. Always focusing on how far you have to go forgetting how far you have come.

As I was sitting under the shade listening to the sound of the water, a poem resonated with me;

Be grateful for the kind friends that walk along your way;
Be grateful for the skies of blue that smile from day to day;
Be grateful for the health you own, the work you find to do,
For round about you there are men less fortunate than you.

Be grateful for the growing trees, the roses soon to bloom,
The tenderness of kind hearts that shared your days of gloom;
Be grateful for the morning dew, the grass beneath your feet,
The soft caresses of your babes and all their laughter sweet.

Acquire the grateful habit, learn to see how blessed you are,
How much there is to gladden life, how little life to mar!
And what if rain shall fall to-day and you with grief are sad;
Be grateful that you can recall the joys that you have had.
Gratitude by Edgar Albert Guest

I am grateful for this year because before Covid-19 I was;

Going so quickly through life
Running from place to place
Aware of so little around me
Taking time to play was foreign
I succumbed to the pressure
Thinking of only what was on my list
Until a moment shook me
Delivering a message…
Enjoy and be grateful because you are blessed.

Stay Grateful; Merry Christmas and Lets talk in 2021.