Nancy Stoops M.A., M.F.T Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

By Nancy Stoops

Gratitude isn’t something that should only be felt once a year on Thanksgiving.  I feel we should acknowledge everyday all that we are grateful for.  Being grateful seems to take us out of our pity parties and focus more on what we have rather then what we don’t.  We take so many things for granted and until we lose them we don’t fully appreciate them.  Every morning when Midnight and I do our daily hikes I think about how lucky we both are to have healthy bodies that still allow us to walk so many miles per week.  As we walk I think about how lucky we are to have each other and about all of the good times we have shared.  I also think about all of the people we have helped heal together.  I feel so blessed!

Having shelter, food, water, heat, air conditioning, a vehicle and all of the other basics are something we should feel grateful for daily.  I know life can be hard and throws many obstacles our way.  Yes I’ve lost almost all of my family but I’m still her.  I’m still here to help this world heal one person at a time.  I feel very blessed and honored to still be here and to be able to do the work that I do.  I learned a long time ago nobody comes to my pity parties so I stopped having them. Now I use gratitude when I feel sad or miss my loved ones and it gets me right back on track.  So don’t waste your life feel sad everyday instead look at all that you are blessed with.  Make each moment you have the honor of being alive count.  Make today the start of a brand new mindset.  Make yourself a promise to find the simple joys in your everyday life.  I promise if you do that you will combat your depression.  Oh and remember to always smile daily and learn to laugh often!!!

This article was written by Nancy Stoops M.A., M.F.T.  Nancy is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.  She has a private practice in Diamond Bar and is currently accepting new clients; she is also a motivational speaker who can inspire your employees or group members.  Nancy runs free family support groups, a group on loss for seniors, and groups on how to manage anger.    For more information about any of these services feel free to contact her at (909) 229-0727.  You may e-mail Nancy at nancyjstoops@verizon.net.