Do you count your blessings?

Could you ever begin to imagine a life where you could not hear things, could not see things and could not communicate? How very blessed you are to be in the place you are at this moment in time. Here you are seeing the text spill out across your screen, reading and understanding each and every word. Since you are able to see and read this piece, you are more fortunate than nearly seven million Americans, who are unable to do so.

If ever you reach a place in your life where you think your life is

hard, I want you to think about one of history's most inspirational women, Helen Keller. Despite her inability to hear, speak or see, she became an esteemed author who earned the Presidential Medal of Freedom from then President Roosevelt, among several other prestigious life achievement awards. Considering that at one time in her very young life, she was thought to be an institutional case, Keller proved the world wrong.  She said, "Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved." I want you to think about that for a moment. While you may believe you are experiencing a low point in your life, it is through these experiences you endure and are strengthened.

When you begin to count your blessings, you realize that everything you may have encountered in your past has helped to develop you into the person you have become and the life you now live. In hindsight, you can see that persistence and perseverance is what brought you to where you are at this moment in your life. No matter the challenges you have had, you have overcome them…and here you are. Now, reflect on the problems you may be experiencing today. Is there anything you can do to resolve them? If you cannot address these issues alone, is there anyone who can help you? There is nothing wrong with asking for a helping hand. Likewise, there is nothing wrong with offering one.

Going back to the beginning of this article, I said that you are able to do powerful things. You can see, you can read, and you can understand. Empowered with these natural abilities, there is nothing you cannot do. You are so very blessed at this moment! Perhaps you have some roadblocks in front of you, but guess what? You can see beyond the roadblocks because you have a sense of vision. You can seek guidance because you comprehend ideas, advice and knowledge that can help you in your quest.

Today, you undoubtedly know you have persevered because you are living proof you can. Your persistence has paid off with new opportunities and a life that sustains you. If you are unhappy with your life, then you need to reevaluate your blessings. Count each blessing you have right now because tomorrow is not promised. Take the blessings you have and grow them with your inner talents. You, beautiful you, are capable of anything when you put your mind to it. I know you can - you know you can.

Joan Marie Ambrose -- Author, Creative Writer, Motivational Speaker

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