Hi Michelle, I absolutely love reading your thoughts, they always reach my soul. BTW, I call my inner voice “little peanut”, don’t really know why, the name just came to me one day. I think it is because it is so dainty and soft spoken that I have to stop my busyness and listen to it. I too believe gratitude and grief can coexist and that we should focus on being grateful for our life just as it is. Having learned to do so, I can’t describe the bliss I often feel, even in the midst of the dark times.

Three things I grieve,

1) Having a sense of certainty in my life, especially when it comes to two issues; will I ever have a love partner again? Will my purpose in my life now ever become clear?

2) My relationship with my brother. He is so angry that it is toxic being around him. I had to cut him out of my life.

3) My old life; I miss being well known and having an important professional status.

Things I am grateful for,

1) My health! At sixty eight years of age, I am grateful for how strong, fit, sharp of mind (although others might argue this point) and still have all of my original parts working well

2) My friends. I used to live in a world where I made all friendships transactional. Now, although they are only a handful, I have great love for them and I can feel theirs in return.

3) I can see how much I have in my life. Until five years ago when my life ended a chapter and started a new one, I was Debbie Downer. Sure enough, sooner or later, I got the downer. My life still has ups and downs, but they don’t affect me in the way they used to. I have learned to gleam the wonderful lessons in every experience and become grateful.

Big hugs to you