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This post is a part of the Season of Gratitude Series. You can participate by writing a gratitude post and telling me about it. For more details, click here.

The past few days for me were several of forced rest and reflection. It started off on Saturday afternoon when I realized that my throat was getting sore. No problem, I thought to myself, I’ll just bundle up and ride it out. By Sunday at noon it was another story. I could feel my lungs closing in on me. I tried doing what I normally do by taking a couple puffs of albuterol and sleeping it off. When I got up it felt like a rock was on my chest. I could just sleep it off I thought and I’ll be rearing to go in the morning.

On Monday morning, it took all my strength to pick up the phone and call in. By 2 pm I surrendered and asked my husband to call the doctor for an appointment. The last time I felt so sick I ended up in the hospital. I didn’t want that again.

It took until Wednesday for me to get the strength to be on my feet for about an hour at a time. That’s when I decided to check my e-mail and found out that my server was down on Sunday and Monday. Hubby confirmed. Yesterday, feeling like I could go for 2 hours, I brought up my site to find a cryptic message about a table missing. Imagine my surprise!

With the Season of Gratitude as my backdrop, I have a unique perspective on these events.

Usually, when I feel myself getting sick, I take it as an immediate sign that I need rest so that’s what I do. However, I did that the Monday before and I felt I would be fine. When I got hit on Saturday, I really wanted to push through this time. I went about my day and I struggled to pull together the post for that day. The more I resisted surrender, the more I felt subjected.

The Universe was clearly saying STOP!

So, when I had no resistance left I did. Experiences like this always polarize me. I either open all the way up and totally surrender or I give into the experience temporarily and come out with greater resolve. This time I did both.

I realize that I must remain completely open to Spirit in order to fulfill my purpose. That I do not need to worry about anything whatsoever, and that I don’t have to make things complicated. No elaborate plans are needed. No lengthy list of goals. I already have my vision and plan. It’s really simple.

In the wake of this experience I am thankful for the following:

• My life,
• My caring parents,
• A loving and attentive husband,
• A job that allows me the time off to be sick,
• A roof over my head,
• A safe, warm place to call home,
• The ability to choose,
• The recognition that I have unlimited choices,
• The privilege of living in the US.
• Today, especially, I am thankful for the soldiers and citizens that put their live on the line for what they believe in.

Take a look around your life today. Wherever you are, with everything that is going on, you are alive and you’re reading this on a computer. You are blessed, priveleged, loved. Give thanks for your Being today. Honor it in all that you do.

What are you thankful for today?