Count Blessings Not Irritations

We all know that high fructose corn syrup is not healthy even though it is an ingredient in most items on the grocers' shelves. Even some recipes, such as divinity, call for corn syrup. An easy way to eliminate that unhealthy ingredient is to substitute honey for corn syrup. The freezer jam recipe I use called for corn syrup so I substituted honey. It not only is healthier, the taste is better. Bees are a real blessing to us. The honey they produce is delicious and a healthy alternative to corn syrup and, in some case, sugar.

Children love to count. They count trees, flowers, clouds, just about anything and everything they see. They smile and laugh for the joy they feel is complete. We adults also do a lot of counting. However, ours is often the bills stacking up on the table, the irritations we feel at work, the times our spouse did not do what we wanted and other things that bring sadness instead of joy. I have learned to count my blessings rather than aggravations. Now, I'm not saying turning our inclination to count upside down is easy. Far from it. It takes patience and practice. Above all, practice. When a vehicle cuts you off in traffic, change your anger to one of joy that you were not involved in an accident. When I turn from counting irritations to joy, my blood pressure drops, a smile appears on my face, and my day is suddenly filled with contentment and happiness.

What do you count every day? If you count blessings your day is joy filled. If you count aggravations your day is one of anger and discontent. Each morning when you wake from your night of slumber, you choose what kind of day you will have. You can be happy or unhappy. You can be filled with joy or overwhelmed by sadness. No matter what life throws at you, your attitude, chosen every day, determines how you will feel. That chosen attitude also has much to do with your health. If you owned a blood pressure machine and took a reading after becoming angry or irritated, you would see a rise in your blood pressure. Change your attitude about what happened, take another reading, and watch the numbers fall.

This week I plan to view the world through the eyes of a child. I will watch the antics of the birds and squirrels with delight and pay no attention to dreary skies. When I eat a home baked cookie I will savor each bite. Sniffing the aroma of a pot of soup on the stove will remind me how blessed I am to have food to eat. What attitude will you have this week? Remember, each morning is a brand new beginning and your attitude that day is your choice.