I am what I'd like to think of as a born-whiner. It's a natural talent and one I've steadily improved upon over the years.

So for us born-whiners (and I know there are more of you out there than you would care to admit!), it's especially hard to drum up the energy to be happy and grateful. Grateful about anything really. Even if life is one giant bed of roses, and one teeny, tiny thing goes wrong, the whiner tendencies bubble to the surface quicker than you can say "I can rise above it".

So it takes years of self-restraint and training, and perhaps a harsh word from a well-meaning friend about how no one likes a whiner, to focus on the good things. The things that you can be grateful for despite the annoying bits that are vying for your attention.

I'd like to think that I've now arrived at this place. It's been a long, hard road, and by no means is the struggle over. On an off-day, I go straight back to my natural inclinations and complain about everything in sight (and some out). But for now, life could really not be any better.

Well, perhaps if New York were a little closer... but that's another whine coming along.

Focus!

Life is good. Work is good. Friends and family are great. Almost no one I love and care about is getting sick(er) or dying (just yet).

I AM GRATEFUL!

Yay!