By Samantha McKenzie

I am always thankful when people lend me a helpful hand, or offer up some exceptional advice. I am very grateful that God answers my prayers. I appreciate every act of kindness I receive from others.

I must confess, however, that my gratitude wanes from time to time. I sorta get stuck in the fast-paced routine of my every day, ordinary life and before you know it, I take a break from being thankful. Each time I hear myself whine or complain, I think of five things I am thankful for.

1. I am thankful for having food, clothing and shelter.
2. I am thankful for my supportive family and close friends.
3. I am thankful for the opportunity to work and earn a living wage.
4. I am thankful for my health.
5. I am thankful for waking up in my right mind.

This quiets my eager soul. It keeps me humble. I think about the people who went to sleep last night and never awoke. I think of the people who got up this morning, ready to carry out the days chores, and never made it back home. I remind myself of the newborn babies who didn’t make it out of the hospital. The children who are suffering from terminal illnesses. The victims. Their families. The soldiers. The casualties.

I am tremendously grateful for my life. And I will keep plugging away at remaining this way. I will say it aloud. I will write a longer list. I will refrain from getting too comfortable or from taking tomorrow for granted. I will remember that 2.3 million Americans die annually and that one million of those deaths are sudden.

I’m on the path of gratefulness.