I have to tell everyone . . . I have had a hard couple of weeks and the stress has been wrecking havoc on my digestive system and my sleep cycle. It was so bad at the end of last week that Friday night when I was driving home from work, all I wanted to do was come home and go to bed pulling the covers over my head. I did get home and managed to eek out some interest in a movie but sure enough, I just wanted to go to bed. Once in bed I decided that I wasn’t getting out of it in the morning unless I had to. Luckily the next morning brought a brighter perspective.

When I woke up, I laid in bed thinking about things and decided that staying home was only going to make it worse, so the best thing for me was to get out of bed and get out of the house. For a long time now, I have been keeping a list of places and things that I want to see when I have a moment (which seems to be never). I decided that today was the day I was going to accomplish the list.

I got up, got ready, quickly ate breakfast and then sat down to the computer to map my route. It ended up being a VERY big circle of stops all over the Portland metro area. I left at 11 am and actually wasn’t able to complete my list because places where closed or it was dark.

I had the best day ever!! I have now learned the real meaning behind the term “joy ride”. Just being outside in the sun, enjoy the beauty of fall, mingling with others, brought a huge smile to my face. I was reminded that yes, life is difficult and completely sucks at times and yes, you can have those moments where it is okay to draw the covers over your head but going forward in gratitude for what you have, what you see, where you live, and those you love, really can bring a smile to your face and your heart.

As we go into November, I pray that everyone will try to have an “attitude of gratitude”. A little bit of it goes a long way and once you have it, pass it along to others in the form of service. We will look back at those moments with love and happiness and will be able to make it through all the dark stormy days of our lives.

If anyone wants to see my crazy drive–here it is!