It recently occurred to me that although we all have problems we are dealing with right now, we all need to recognize what gifts we do have. I have a friend at work who is the most loving, soft spoken, friendly person I think I have ever met. She has been a ray of sunshine from day one of me working here. Always pleasant, always has a nice word to say. The very last person you would wish something bad upon.

She was diagnosed with uteran cancer about 3 months ago. She had a hysterectomy. She has been undergoing chemotherapy treatments since then. Her last treatment is tomorrow.

Through it all, she has kept a smile on her face. Has come into work when she could. Has not been concerned with her ever decreasing hairline. Proudly wears a scarf or a wig. Is able to laugh and still maintains the best outlook on life that I have ever incountered.

And, with all she has on her own plate, she has made sure to ask me how I am feeling everyday prior to and after my surgery. My little procedure which I went home after the next day was a concern for her!

It was like a slap in the face. Yes, I have issues with anxiety. Yes, I have issues with depression. Yes, I had a minor heart condition. No, these things are not going to kill me. These things will not make me lose my hair. These things can be concurred almost 100% on our own with diet, exercise and determination. Who am I to complain about anything!

I am alive. I am healthy. I have a husband. I have 2 beautiful, healthy, bright children. I have a home. I have a car. I have a job. I have food. I have clothes. I have shoes, the list goes on.

We must learn to be grateful for EVERYTHING we have because it can all be taken away in a blink of an eye.

I suggest starting a forum in which we say what we do have to be grateful for. What is positive in our lives. What gifts we have been given. I think this will help put our issues with anxiety, depression, etc. into perspective. Look around you and recognize the "heros" in your life.

Good post and a good reminder for all of us. We sometimes get so caught up in our own anxiety we forget how much we do have to be grateful for. Just the fact we are able to get up out of bed and walk is something to be grateful for. Knowing someone who in the face of adversity like your friend who can still have a good outlook on life is truly inspiring, and that alone is something to be grateful for. - These people show us how to live and I wonder sometimes if they even realize this. Maybe you could thank your friend for this and tell her what an inspiration she is.

Your friend is a gem, and I hope all goes well for her.
Lots of heroes in our lives everyday. We often don't notice them because we are so narrowly focused. Good post. Yes, it is nice to remind ourselves, we usually already have what we want the most. We just have to realize this.