Quote of the Week...from Willie Nelson

When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around.     ---Willie Nelson

If you've grown up with someone intent on always seeing the down side of their experiences and of the people around them, it's tempting to adopt that model for yourself and become overly negative.  But as the great musician Willie Nelson stated above, it's important to counteract that insidious, pervasive cynicism with gratitude, i.e. a recognition not only of the things that have been blessings, but also for the different people who have been there and made life better.  Willie is now 85 and going on strong...at 62 I'm looking more and more at people who are a generation older than me and who seem to have made a sort of peace about their own lives and their place in society.  And one common trait for many of these survivors seems to be that they have adopted an attitude of gratitude.  I'm sure that Willie Nelson continues to encounter offenses and setbacks, and problems are all sorts assuredly continue to befall him as do they us.  But you've got to see the big picture and realize that life is a great gift to be relished and appreciated...instead of habitually reciting a list of personal grievances and grudges, how about instead come up with one of blessings, following Mr. Nelson's wise example...and keep it a daily habit, not just on Thanksgiving...