Being Able

I’m sitting at the computer thinking of how I would like to begin my blog for Aspire Wellness. Today is one of the really cold days in January where the air feels like it’s biting your face. It’s very cold. And on my drive into work, I have my heat cranked up in my car really high so that by the time I get out of the car, I’m kinda sweating a little bit. This makes me chuckle. But I do have like 5 layers on. Plus my scarf. But then I suddenly feel emotionally grateful that I am able to get relief from the cold to the point that I am too warm. Because I know there are so many people who are struggling to find where they can get the relief they need.

It seems like such a little thing sometimes, that the idea of being of “being able” to come in from the cold would make me emotionally grateful. Like tears in my eyes. And I think that I feel this way because I have taken this for granted for a long time. Being able. I have taken being able for granted for a long time. So many people are not able for a lot of different reasons. Not able to feel, not able to love, not able to forgive, and on and on.

I’m so thankful that I am capable of so many things in my life. I’m able to think, and learn, and decide, and work, and love, and feel emotion, and walk, and talk. I don’t think of these things in depth on a daily basis.

But not everybody has the capability to do these things. For whatever reason, they find themselves not able. Perhaps it was trauma in their childhood, or a physical disability. Whatever it is, they are unable.

On a smaller scale, you probably have been stuck in a decision with fairly minor consequences. As an example, been in a clothing store and you’re trying to decide between the blue one and the green one? And you go back and forth, trying to decide. And you feel a bit stuck. Which one to choose?!? Feels almost silly that something like this could be a tricky decision. But here you are, back and forth, back and forth. Suddenly unable to decide.

Obviously, deciding that is much different than feeling emotions. But, similar to that, there is a sense of being stuck, of being unable. And it isn’t only about the things that require a conscious decision. People unable to love haven’t necessarily decided not to love. Likely there was another perpetuating factor. But anyway, I’m starting to veer off my point, which is really me being grateful and thankful that I am able.

I know there are plenty of little things that get on my nerves and there are lots of times I complain and get annoyed or aggravated. But on days like today, when the wind is whipping at my face but I am able to get in my car, and I’m able to drive to work, and I’m able to hold down a job and own a business, and I’m able to get warm….no wonder reflecting on that brings tears to my eyes.

So tell me, what are you thankful and grateful for? Because when you truly think about the big and the little things, there are so many reasons and ways to be grateful. Today,
​I am celebrating being able.

~Lynn