The license plate on the car in front of me during a long stretch of monotonous highway read, “Be grateful.”  I couldn’t help but wonder if this was a personal message to me, just returning from a wonderful weekend with my parents in Florida, or if it was meant for all who read it, spreading a positive message during uncertain times.

My husband and daughter were snoozing in the car and I was pensive as usual behind the wheel, thinking about everything from the economy, to finances, to family to you name it.  I, like many of you, am worried about the state of our economy and where it will leave our generation in the years to come.  I worry about my daughter and her education; will she be okay during this craziness we are experiencing?  Will she have work in the future?  Will the economy bounce back or are we headed for a recession?  So many people struggling.  News images of drought, famine, earthquakes, shootings, a downed military helicopter.

The worries seemed endless and my mind began to wander while I was driving.  Then I saw the simple license plate: “B GR8FUL.”  I know that I had an instant calm when I saw it.  I know that was a message for me to take these worries and transfer them into appreciation for all that we do have.  When you look at the grand scheme of things, we really do have so much to be grateful for.  So the next time your mind races with an endless stream of worries, try to shift your thoughts to appreciation.  You’ll feel much better!

© 2011, The Estate Lady