I don’t know about you, but it seems like everyone I know is dealing with an unusual amount of stress lately. If it’s not a personal health issue or that of a loved one, it’s a job future that looks bleak. We are working harder, for less money, all the while with the worry of becoming one of the newly unemployed. It makes people cranky. It makes me cranky.

So, I’ve decided to slow things down a bit. I will continue to work hard and do my job to the best of my ability, but I’m going to stop worrying. Instead I’m going to look around and find the things in my life for which I am grateful. I follow No Impact Man’s blog and he recently wrote about a movement to daily list 5 things you are grateful for – a gratitude list. It’s supposed to make you happier when spend a little time each day focusing on what you have instead of what you lack. By focusing on the many blessings we all have, our attitude changes and we are happier. He started a thread on Twitter, but alas I don’t tweet.

Here is my list for today. I plan to do this each evening before I go to bed. I may cross-post to Facebook if I’m in the sharing mood.

Gratitude List – April 25, 2010

1. quiet moments
2. indoor plumbing
3. farmer’s markets
4. singing birds
5. silly husband