Gratitude

In my first few years of teaching, I had to learn to budget since I didn't get paid in the summer. By the time August rolled around, I was grateful for jars of spare change and aluminum cans I could recycle. Managing my money is under control, but I have found that August is a good month for me to take inventory and reflect on all for which I am grateful.

If you really know me, you know that at one point in my life I would get sad when I saw corn tasseling. That usually meant that my summer was drawing to a close and I'd have to be governed by the bells of another school year. I can honestly express that just as the corn grows, I too have grown...grown out of that feeling. I am sincerely looking forward to this upcoming school year.

My list of gratitude is once again long. Some things are small and some are huge, but all give me a comfy feeling in life.

One thing I am grateful for is that I can meet my needs. Not all people can. I have been an active member of Kiva for the last nine years. Kiva is a micro-lending organization that allows people to loan money in any one of 77 countries around the world. There are numerous filters so you can more directly choose to whom you'd like to lend money.

Early on I decided I wanted to loan money to women in each of the 77 countries. As of this morning, I am halfway toward my goal, having made my loan in my 39th country. I've loaned money to Mrs. Endang in Indonesia so she could buy water filters to sell to people in her community. She made a small profit and all got clean water. I loaned money to a group of women in Congo so they could buy and sell second hand clothing. These women pay the loans back small amounts at a time. The important thing is, they are earning their money and having a chance to support themselves. I'm sure some may question why I chose only to loan to women. In a phrase, male privilege. I think that I am in a unique position to address this topic. I can relate more directly than many how both men and women are treated. This is what fuels my decision to do what I can to assist women on the planet. That being said, I am grateful for the many men who recognize and treat women respectfully and as equals. Feminism is not just for women.

I'm certain it comes as no surprise that I am grateful for Lake Michigan and my proximity to it. Sitting and watching the waves this morning was so relaxing. Getting wrapped up in the bustle of life is easy. I find myself feeling anger or frustration when thing go wrong. Lately, I have been trying to pause to reflect whereupon I quickly come to the realization that many of my problems are first world problems and in reality, I am quite fortunate. As the waves lap the shore, I can breathe and stay balanced. What are you grateful for? Have you taken the time to make a list? I encouraged to start or add to your list.