I really have to work hard this time of year at being grateful .
It’s bitter cold outside here in Alaska at the moment. My lips are cracked and bleeding, my refrigerator is empty since it’s too frigid to shop, and I find the constant darkness to be oppressive.
Add to that the holidays-something I loathe-and the pre and post election fallout and I’d say it’s been a stressful and overwhelming time. It feels like the world has gone crazy and we’ve stopped listening to one another.
I’ve been forced out of my shell the past many weeks with my book events. I’ve met a lot of new people and attended several book groups already. I’d spent enough time alone the year before that my social skills had atrophied. How refreshing it has been to see people choose to congregate, to agree, to disagree, and to do it with respect and often with affection.
Hopefully, I’ll keep my new social chops after the book events wind down. We’re all navigating this sometimes ominous-looking future the best we can, something I lose sight of when I spend too much time alone, scrolling through social media, reading instead of relating.
Here are some key players who make my life enough.
I have gratitude. It just needs to be defrosted.
Thank you for your support.