As we headed into 2025, I noticed a lot of posts on social medial focused on moving forward in 2025 and leaving 2024 behind, like it was a bad thing. It rubbed me the wrong way. I’m not saying there aren’t moments in 2025 I wish didn’t happen, like Trump getting reelected or the ongoing atrocities in Gaza, or that there aren’t individuals who had a bad 2024 due to one or a series of bad events. At the core of my outlook I want to choose a more positive approach.
I appreciate all I have.
I appreciate the good things happening in the world, and there are many. I see it at the local level where various church groups, community groups, and advocates for others living on the fringes are taking action to make a difference. I see it at broader community and national levels where citizens are urging their governments to take action to make our world a better place.
Despite all the differences we may have in regards to our political leanings or approach to solutions, I see a lot of common ground where people join to help others.
On a personal level I spent time in 2024 reflecting on being grateful for what I have. I am blessed and feel I always have been. Sure, I’ve had challenges in my life, lost family members, lost friends, and survived a multitude of hardships over the years, but overall, I have been blessed to have a great life. I don’t say this because my life is about to end or I have any threating health issues. I say it because I want to be intentional about being grateful. One method I express that gratefulness is to God. You may not choose to do that, but for me it’s an essential part of my being. Hopefully, even if you don’t currently choose the God thing, like I do, you will choose the grateful thing.
Being grateful is uplifting.
Earlier in 2024 I chose to put a list together of people who had played a positive role in my life. People I liked, loved, and who have made my life better just by being in it. I went as far back as my early childhood friends and classmates, to the new friends I’ve made of late at my new church or at hockey. The list has close friends, family, co-workers, teachers, mentors, church family, hockey family, golf family, and various communities I’ve been part over the years. It goes on and on. The list was well over three hundred people. Some of you reading this blog are on that list.
I made the point of making the list because I wanted to see a tangible expression of how blessed my life has been.
People have made the difference.
I’m grateful for everyone who has been part of my life, on so many different levels.
There are some like my wife, children, parents, and siblings that played and play such important and ongoing roles in my life, and there are others who were only in my life for a season; sometimes because of the nature of the relationship, like an elementary school teacher. Sometimes people were good friends or family members and despite my efforts to maintain those relationships they chose not to do so. Either way, I’m grateful for every person on my list. Regardless of where that relationship stands today.
I look forward to 2025 and beyond. I look forward to nurturing the relationship I have, of loving those around me, and letting myself be loved, sometimes that can be hard.
I encourage you to consider all that you have to be grateful for.
May your days be filled with peace, love, and gratefulness.
Many blessings, Steve! That was a beautiful commentary and I echo your words wholeheartedly. Every day is a blessing… sometimes clearly evident other times we need to search a little harder. Each year we have gathered a collage of photos from the year which is a beautiful way to visualize all the blessings we have been granted. If we have a If we have gratitude in our heart, it is easier to meet the challenges we may face and reflect God‘s love through our deeds.
May your kind and gentle manner continue to be a blessing to all you meet !
Thanks Georgina. Yes, gratitude in our hearts makes life much better.
Steve thank you for sharing your thoughts.
I also am grateful for my blessings and am very happy that you are my brother and I love you.
Thanks Manon. Glad to have you as my sister, to love you, and to share so many blessings with you.
You’re right, it’s uplifting when we reflect on what we’re grateful for. So important to take the time to do it too. Many live such a rushed life that they don’t take the time. Your idea of creating a list is great, and even if we say one thing we’re grateful for each day, I believe that I e minute action can help us live with a more happy heart.
It’s definitely easy to rush through life without taking the time to reflect on all we have to be grateful for. I like your one minute a day for a happy heart.