Thinking Grateful Thoughts

The other day while I was driving, I began to ruminate on everything that I was thankful for. I’m not sure why my mind went down that particular roadway of gratitude, but it did and I went along for the ride. 

My list began with being thankful for my car. It is a brand new 2025 Forester. In the past, we’ve always purchased used cars because until now, we’ve never been able to afford a new car. Along with buying the car we also chose some extra warranties that put my husband’s mind at ease about oil changes, replacing the windshield and roadside assistance. I realized that never before now have we had such choices. And, I felt gratitude.   

Then my thoughts turned down the thoroughfare of our finances. Once upon a time we lived paycheck to paycheck. In the past, I’d add up the cost of items as I put them into my grocery cart making sure I didn’t go over the budget. In days gone by, my husband worked extra side jobs to make the monthly mortgage payment. But now, those days are in my rearview mirror. They are behind us and I am grateful.   

Along the way to my destination, I traveled along the boulevard lined with some of my relationships. 

My husband and I have been married for a long time. Though our union has weathered lean times and unexpected heartaches, we are still together and I am grateful that after all these years, we are still together. 

Not only am I grateful for my husband, but I am grateful every time I see our oldest son and we are able to converse. This phenomenon of having casual conversation with him has not always been the case. During his rebellious teen years, my heart was filled with weariness and worry. My husband and I endured together that bumpy side road that our son traveled down. Now that he is much older, and more mature he is traveling down a much smoother roadway. Every time I see him, my heart is glad. 

Also along this boulevard lined with relationships are my siblings. Years ago, when we suffered the trauma of our father’s suicide, none of us could communicate honestly about our sadness, anger, or confusion. Now though, twice a month, I look forward to our Macek Maverick calls, those conference calls where we get to discuss with each other the things we never discussed before. 

Finally, after diving along the byways and highways, I reach my destination. Parking my car and pressing the ignition button to turn it off, I pause while still sitting in my seat and smile. I notice that my heart beats with a steady rhythm, a rhythm of gratitude.

Why Bother?

Why bother thinking grateful thoughts? One of the side effects of thinking grateful thoughts is that gratitude gives us latitude. When we think grateful thoughts it gives us the opportunity to depart from the usual pathway of worry or anxiety. Grateful thoughts take us down a roadway that fills our heart with feelings of delight.