Thursday, May 10, 2012
Failing Miserably.
I truly don't ever like to admit defeat but I am failing miserably with my goal of losing 80lbs by my wedding September 2013. It is now operation lose 85lbs because I have gained fivelbs since I started this crap. I am depressed and my clothes do not fit me anymore. I wish I could have a second surgery to lose the weight again but I don't have that option. I am not lazy.. I try to stay active and go to the gym as much as I can.. it is the food cravings. When I first had gastric bypass three years ago I could only eat a thumb size portion of food. three years later I am back to eating normal sized portions but on top of that my stomach digests food twice as fast as before.. so I am hungry twice as much as the normal person. It also doesn't help that I haven't been working an active job in quite some time. I hope all of this ends when I start work on Monday. I will be having a heavy position where I am forced to walk 8-10miles per day around the hospital. This should increase my workout and cardio so when I go to the gym at night I can work solely on strength training and toning. I hope that this will get me out of this weight gaining funk.. because I really do not like buying new clothes that are bigger sizes than 10... and it keeps happening.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Eat Fat Get Fit
On one of our walks. Tim has been out of surgery and post transplant for almost a month now. May 3rd will be exactly four weeks and since we have gotten home from yale we have started to walk and hike non stop. We joined LA fitness and ventured to hikes on Castle Craig in Meriden, Sleeping Giant, and the beach. I am trying to maintain a healthier lifestyle. Since surgery on July 07, 2009 I lost 200lbs but since August 11 ive gained back almost 50 of it back. I want to not only look good for my wedding next sept 12 but I want to obtain a fit and active body. By doing this I have a plan. gym daily.. eat out less.. protein, minimal carbs.. and the paleo diet. So far its been a struggle... I have to get out of the habit of wanting fast food or take out. I crave these certain things like burgers and chinese food still.. I need to cook more at home using minimal salt and really taking careful consideration on the intake I eat. I started taking a stimulate called Cellucore Super HD about a week ago.. its twice a day.. one in the morning on an empty stomach, and one about 5-6 hours later... it promotes energy, focus, and appetite curve. It doesnt appear to make me jittery or confused but I have had a headache for the past couple days. That could very well be allergies. I can only take if to 8 weeks on and 4 weeks off.. its around 50 bucks and can be found at GNC on online. so far since ive taken it ive lost 4lbs. I am really worried about my fat/muscle ratio. My fat percentage is 39% which is ridiculous. Tim is like a 17% .. he is in much better physical condition than I am and he had a kidney transplant! but that is why I am trying to work harder in improving my workout regimine.. Eat Fat.. get Fit.
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Rejection-
What is Rejection?
Your body's immune system is designed to seek and destry any foreign object that it finds in your body, such as a cold virus, a flu virus, or a transplanted organ. The process of destroying the foreign object, the transplanted organ, is called rejection. Rejection occurs as your body's immune system responds to the presence of the transplanted kidney. Rejection actually shows that your immune system is working. However, in transplant recipients, this immune response needs to be suppressed to protect the transplanted kidney.
There are several types of kidney rejection. These types are described by the kind of cells causing the rejection, when the rejection occurs, and by the severity of the rejection.
Hyperacute Rejection- occurs within minutes of the kidney transplant. It occurs when the recipient's antibodies immediatly recognize the kidney as forgein and attack it. An antibody is a protein produced by the immune system. Antibodies help the body fight organisims that are recognized as forgein, or not belonging to that body. Hyperacute rejection can not usually be treated and results in the loss of the kidney. A special test called a crossmatch is completed before the kidney transplant to indentify antibodies that could cause hyperacute rejection.
Accelerated Acute Rejection occurs within the first three to seven days after kidney tranplant. It is cause by antibodies that may have been inactive at the time of transplant but get reactivated soon afterwards. This form of rejection is difficult to treat, but there have been recent improvements i treatments for this type of rejection. Patients with High antibody levels are at high rist for developing this rejection. Some transplant centers have special treatment protocols for patients with high antibody levels that are used before they receive a transplant.
The most common form of rejection is acute cellular rejection In this type of rejection, the bodys blood cells identify the kidney as foreign and begin mounting an army of cells to attack the kidney. Although acute rejection can happen at any time, about 15 to 25% of kidney transplant recipients have at least one mild to moderate episode of acute rejection within the first three months after transplant. Acute rejection does not mean that you will lose your transplated kidney, but it is very important that rejection is diagnosed and treated as soon as possible. To help detect rejection, you should have your blood tests completed routinely as requested by your transplant center, and report any symptoms you are having to your transplant center.
If the rejection process does not completely resolve, or if it continues slowly over time this is called chronic rejection. Chronic rejection is more difficult to treat because of more permanent changes in the kidney tissue.
Signs and symptoms of rejection:
Fever greater than 100
Increased kidney function tests (bun and creatinine)
decreased urine output
tenderness over the graft
swelling in hands, eyelids, or lower extremities
weight gain of 2-4lbs in 24 hours
additionally, you doctor may want you to have a kidney biopsy to confirm that your symptoms are caused by rejection.
Your body's immune system is designed to seek and destry any foreign object that it finds in your body, such as a cold virus, a flu virus, or a transplanted organ. The process of destroying the foreign object, the transplanted organ, is called rejection. Rejection occurs as your body's immune system responds to the presence of the transplanted kidney. Rejection actually shows that your immune system is working. However, in transplant recipients, this immune response needs to be suppressed to protect the transplanted kidney.
There are several types of kidney rejection. These types are described by the kind of cells causing the rejection, when the rejection occurs, and by the severity of the rejection.
Hyperacute Rejection- occurs within minutes of the kidney transplant. It occurs when the recipient's antibodies immediatly recognize the kidney as forgein and attack it. An antibody is a protein produced by the immune system. Antibodies help the body fight organisims that are recognized as forgein, or not belonging to that body. Hyperacute rejection can not usually be treated and results in the loss of the kidney. A special test called a crossmatch is completed before the kidney transplant to indentify antibodies that could cause hyperacute rejection.
Accelerated Acute Rejection occurs within the first three to seven days after kidney tranplant. It is cause by antibodies that may have been inactive at the time of transplant but get reactivated soon afterwards. This form of rejection is difficult to treat, but there have been recent improvements i treatments for this type of rejection. Patients with High antibody levels are at high rist for developing this rejection. Some transplant centers have special treatment protocols for patients with high antibody levels that are used before they receive a transplant.
The most common form of rejection is acute cellular rejection In this type of rejection, the bodys blood cells identify the kidney as foreign and begin mounting an army of cells to attack the kidney. Although acute rejection can happen at any time, about 15 to 25% of kidney transplant recipients have at least one mild to moderate episode of acute rejection within the first three months after transplant. Acute rejection does not mean that you will lose your transplated kidney, but it is very important that rejection is diagnosed and treated as soon as possible. To help detect rejection, you should have your blood tests completed routinely as requested by your transplant center, and report any symptoms you are having to your transplant center.
If the rejection process does not completely resolve, or if it continues slowly over time this is called chronic rejection. Chronic rejection is more difficult to treat because of more permanent changes in the kidney tissue.
Signs and symptoms of rejection:
Fever greater than 100
Increased kidney function tests (bun and creatinine)
decreased urine output
tenderness over the graft
swelling in hands, eyelids, or lower extremities
weight gain of 2-4lbs in 24 hours
additionally, you doctor may want you to have a kidney biopsy to confirm that your symptoms are caused by rejection.
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Drugs- How Fun
We were advised that after a transplant Tim would be on some medications for the rest of his life to prevent what is called rejection of the organ. Because our bodies are so good and fighting off disease and foreign objects, someone elses organ falls under that category. We are starting to learn the medications he will be taking and what they are used for. I found this interesting so I thought you would too.. here are the meds and what they do!
1. Tacrolimus aka Prograf is a medication that lowers the bodys ability to fight an infection/disease (this is called an immunosuppression) This helps prevent rejection of a kidney, heart, or liver transplant. This weakens the bodys defense system to help your body accept the new organ as if it was your own. Right now he takes 8 pills every 12 hours. This drug is closely monitored by his team of medical staff and may increase or decrease as time goes on. This medication he will take as long as he has this organ. This medication monthly runs about 300 dollars with his insurance. Without would be about $1400.... yeah.
2. Dapsone- this medication is used to decrease inflammation and stop the growth of bacteria. This is used to treat certain immune system disorders like what Tim has, Lupus. This kind of builds back his immune system and throws it off track while the immunesuppressants are used to take away his immune system. This he takes once a day and is a common medication that costs him about 10$/monthly
3. Labetalol. He takes this medication to control his blood pressure. Because he has excess fluid in his body and the new kidney is adjusting his blood pressure can be a bit on the high side. Also because he is on some steroids that also has a tendency to make his blood pressure high. He has been taking this medication since August and is used to the hypertensive (high blood pressure) drugs. This is a typical cost $10/month drug
4.Nystatin- He takess medication 3 times a day. This is to prevent Thrush and a fungus infection in the mouth. He cannot eat or drink anything for 20 minutes after he takes this. He will only have to take this medication for a few months and then they will take him off that. With the meds that he is taking this is very common to get thrush and can be harmful for people with transplants
5. Acyclovir- No Tim does not have herpes but with people with organ transplant the typical cold sore or chickenpox can be dangerous for him so he is on. It greatly helps people with weakened immune system and can decrease the risk of a virus spreading and causing a major infection somewhere in the body.
6. Prednisone- he takes this once a day. This is also a organ ressistant drug and helps the organ from rejection. This causes some side effects like mood swings and weight gain. Tim was on a much high dose than this since August and has done okay with it. He will taper down slowly and eventually be on a very low dose but for the rest of his life.
7. Cellcept- another anti rejection/ immunosuppressant drug. He takes every 12 hours.. 1000 mg's.. which is about 4 tablets twice a day.
8. Plaquenel- is a immunosuppressant drug that throws the immune system off course. He takes this twice a day and this helps trick the immune system for his lupus. This has been very effective since he has been in remission since August when he was diagnosed.
9. Reglan- This is taken with every meal and also at bed time. This helps with his stomach. He has formed a bit of what is called gastroparesis (paralysis in his stomach) and it is very hard for him to digest his food. This helps tremendously. He has been on this since December of 2011.
10. Stool Softners.. two of them.. because of all the meds there can be an issue with constipado.
11. Tylenol with condiene- he never needs pain medication but just incase they prescribe him that.
So 11 meds.. about 30 pills a day.. and Tim gets to live with his new buddy and have a second chance at life. It is important to understand that this isnt a cure for Tim.. he will always have End stage Kidney Failure and Lupus Nephritis.. however this is a new way of handeling it. Some people choose dialysis.. others who are fortunate can obtain a transplant. There are 800,000 people in need of a new kidney and only about 10,000 a year obtain one from a living or recently deceased donor. If you or someone you know would like to be a living Donor go to Donatelife.org and make sure when you renue your license you put donor.. You dont always have to donate life while you are alive.. you can help someone in need when your time is done here on Earth!
1. Tacrolimus aka Prograf is a medication that lowers the bodys ability to fight an infection/disease (this is called an immunosuppression) This helps prevent rejection of a kidney, heart, or liver transplant. This weakens the bodys defense system to help your body accept the new organ as if it was your own. Right now he takes 8 pills every 12 hours. This drug is closely monitored by his team of medical staff and may increase or decrease as time goes on. This medication he will take as long as he has this organ. This medication monthly runs about 300 dollars with his insurance. Without would be about $1400.... yeah.
2. Dapsone- this medication is used to decrease inflammation and stop the growth of bacteria. This is used to treat certain immune system disorders like what Tim has, Lupus. This kind of builds back his immune system and throws it off track while the immunesuppressants are used to take away his immune system. This he takes once a day and is a common medication that costs him about 10$/monthly
3. Labetalol. He takes this medication to control his blood pressure. Because he has excess fluid in his body and the new kidney is adjusting his blood pressure can be a bit on the high side. Also because he is on some steroids that also has a tendency to make his blood pressure high. He has been taking this medication since August and is used to the hypertensive (high blood pressure) drugs. This is a typical cost $10/month drug
4.Nystatin- He takess medication 3 times a day. This is to prevent Thrush and a fungus infection in the mouth. He cannot eat or drink anything for 20 minutes after he takes this. He will only have to take this medication for a few months and then they will take him off that. With the meds that he is taking this is very common to get thrush and can be harmful for people with transplants
5. Acyclovir- No Tim does not have herpes but with people with organ transplant the typical cold sore or chickenpox can be dangerous for him so he is on. It greatly helps people with weakened immune system and can decrease the risk of a virus spreading and causing a major infection somewhere in the body.
6. Prednisone- he takes this once a day. This is also a organ ressistant drug and helps the organ from rejection. This causes some side effects like mood swings and weight gain. Tim was on a much high dose than this since August and has done okay with it. He will taper down slowly and eventually be on a very low dose but for the rest of his life.
7. Cellcept- another anti rejection/ immunosuppressant drug. He takes every 12 hours.. 1000 mg's.. which is about 4 tablets twice a day.
8. Plaquenel- is a immunosuppressant drug that throws the immune system off course. He takes this twice a day and this helps trick the immune system for his lupus. This has been very effective since he has been in remission since August when he was diagnosed.
9. Reglan- This is taken with every meal and also at bed time. This helps with his stomach. He has formed a bit of what is called gastroparesis (paralysis in his stomach) and it is very hard for him to digest his food. This helps tremendously. He has been on this since December of 2011.
10. Stool Softners.. two of them.. because of all the meds there can be an issue with constipado.
11. Tylenol with condiene- he never needs pain medication but just incase they prescribe him that.
So 11 meds.. about 30 pills a day.. and Tim gets to live with his new buddy and have a second chance at life. It is important to understand that this isnt a cure for Tim.. he will always have End stage Kidney Failure and Lupus Nephritis.. however this is a new way of handeling it. Some people choose dialysis.. others who are fortunate can obtain a transplant. There are 800,000 people in need of a new kidney and only about 10,000 a year obtain one from a living or recently deceased donor. If you or someone you know would like to be a living Donor go to Donatelife.org and make sure when you renue your license you put donor.. You dont always have to donate life while you are alive.. you can help someone in need when your time is done here on Earth!
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Adopting a Kid(ney)
Well, all these months of worry and heartache about Tim receiving a kidney from his Uncle Kenny is finally a thing of the past. I was not worried about him needing a kidney transplant, but moreso going under for surgery. But with faith in God and faith in his team of hundreds of Doctors and Surgeon's this entire experience has been amazing.
The week before surgery Tim had to be cleared by all his specialist doctors. We had to go see his cardiologist and have a EKG and Echocardiogram to determine if he still had a plueral effusion around his heart (fluid). It had subsided around September but just to make sure everything went smoothly they wanted to double check. He still had some fluid around in there but nothing compared to when he was admitted in August for his cardiac emergency. Next we went to Tim's nephrologist (kidney Doctor) and had to be cleared by him. We have a fantastic relationship with this doctor as we have seen him every couple weeks since August. We knew he was on board with this transplant since day one so meeting with him was almost routine and he was cleared right away. He sat with us and explained that they are very excited to get this done for Tim and anticipated a great transplant story when this is all over. He was very comforting to me and told me to call him whenever I needed (or Text) if I needed someone to talk to. I thought that was very kind of him. (I only contacted him after the surgery to tell him the great news of success) and lastly we had to be cleared by rheumotology. That team decided in January that he was not ready for transplant as they did not know if the lupus would stay in remission. (they didnt want to risk the new kidney being affected by his disease)... we were most nervous about this because they could have been the deal breaker but even that was a piece of cake... Pre-Op was the Friday before surgery... and we were up and at the hospital from 6am to about 4pm.. he had an appointment to meet the anisthesiologist who was going to be in charge of putting him in his sleep for the surgery as well has his surgeon who was going to perform the surgery.
They were all pretty calm, nice, and funny with everything which made us more comfortable with the entire thing. The fact that these doctors are not uptight and arrogant makes it a lot better for me because I don't think anyone is better than anyone.. although I do find it admirable that they get to do this for a living.
The weekend flew by and we kept ourselves busy buy fixing the breaks on my car and taking Tim's son Jake to a bunch of fun places and Monday we kept calm by sitting in bed, spending some quality time together and watching House (I know... morbid right??)
The alarm beeped at 545 on tuesday but my eyes were already open. I turned over and Tim was snoring like he was having the best sleep of his life and our 30lb cat right by his side sprawled out in the middle of both of us snoring and probably dreaming about going outside and chasing squirrels. I listened as Tim's parents got up and put the coffee machine on, took turns in the bathroom and getting ready for the big day... I shut the alarm off and Tim's eyes opened. The deep blue eyes stared at me for about a minute as we sat there in silence.. He was as anxious as I was scared and together we got up and got dressed. We packed a few pairs of socks, underwear, and shirts... and the four of us got into the car and began our journey to Yale.
We got there around 6:30am and signed in. We were a half hour early but that was fine by us. about 10 of 7 Tim kissed his mom and dad goodbye and we took the elevator up to the third flood and signed him in. They checked his blood pressure which was slightly elevated but not enough to send him home (the nurse said) they had him slip into a baby purple Johnny coat and a baby blue hair net. The anisthesiologist came in and said hello. He couldnt have been any older than Tim.. explained to us about what they were going to do and put his IV in his arm. Tim joked around with him because at first he couldnt find the vein and said.. I hope you arent the one putting the kidney in!! (I shook my head).. the Dr. was hysterically laughing though and replied.. not incharge of the Kidney just incharge of your coma.. (too funny).. The surgeon came in and said hello.. and then around 8am.. his bed showed up and he was on his way. I watched him wheel off and gave him a kiss, told him I loved him and by 815 he was in the operating room.
Tims uncle was also in the same area as we were while they were prepping him for surgery. He went under about a half hour before Tim and by 1030 he was out of surgery. my heart skipped a beat when his Aunt called and said that the surgeon wanted to talk to her.. I got up and ran to the waiting room. She was already in talking with the Dr. She came out and said that everything went beautiful and that his kidney was very healthy and they were going to use it for the transplant. My chest felt like an elephant was sitting on it. Either I was going into cardiac arrest or I was so excited for the success of the Nephrectomy (Kidney extraction).. I sat with Aunt Angelyn until they allowed her to see Kenny (the donor) and I went downstairs. My best friend Fran was at the hospital giftshop waiting for me. We all sat down next to Tims parents and talked for about an hour. The surgeon paged us and we went upstairs and around 12pm and said that everything went awesome. He has a greek accent so it was hard to understand him because he talks so fast but we got out of it that he was doing great and making the pee pee... hahahaha.. So then we just waited for him to sleep for 90minutes and Tims mom and I went in to see him.. His anisthesiologist came up to me and said.. I didnt want you to see me eating lunch and wonder why he was out of surgery (lol they know im crazy) and said that his surgery went great and assured me that everything was fine. We saw Tim and being the jokester that he is asked who I was.. he knew I was so scared.. we laughed and within a half hour they had him up to his room. He was pain free thanks to the morphine pump. (more to come... im hungry)
The week before surgery Tim had to be cleared by all his specialist doctors. We had to go see his cardiologist and have a EKG and Echocardiogram to determine if he still had a plueral effusion around his heart (fluid). It had subsided around September but just to make sure everything went smoothly they wanted to double check. He still had some fluid around in there but nothing compared to when he was admitted in August for his cardiac emergency. Next we went to Tim's nephrologist (kidney Doctor) and had to be cleared by him. We have a fantastic relationship with this doctor as we have seen him every couple weeks since August. We knew he was on board with this transplant since day one so meeting with him was almost routine and he was cleared right away. He sat with us and explained that they are very excited to get this done for Tim and anticipated a great transplant story when this is all over. He was very comforting to me and told me to call him whenever I needed (or Text) if I needed someone to talk to. I thought that was very kind of him. (I only contacted him after the surgery to tell him the great news of success) and lastly we had to be cleared by rheumotology. That team decided in January that he was not ready for transplant as they did not know if the lupus would stay in remission. (they didnt want to risk the new kidney being affected by his disease)... we were most nervous about this because they could have been the deal breaker but even that was a piece of cake... Pre-Op was the Friday before surgery... and we were up and at the hospital from 6am to about 4pm.. he had an appointment to meet the anisthesiologist who was going to be in charge of putting him in his sleep for the surgery as well has his surgeon who was going to perform the surgery.
They were all pretty calm, nice, and funny with everything which made us more comfortable with the entire thing. The fact that these doctors are not uptight and arrogant makes it a lot better for me because I don't think anyone is better than anyone.. although I do find it admirable that they get to do this for a living.
The weekend flew by and we kept ourselves busy buy fixing the breaks on my car and taking Tim's son Jake to a bunch of fun places and Monday we kept calm by sitting in bed, spending some quality time together and watching House (I know... morbid right??)
The alarm beeped at 545 on tuesday but my eyes were already open. I turned over and Tim was snoring like he was having the best sleep of his life and our 30lb cat right by his side sprawled out in the middle of both of us snoring and probably dreaming about going outside and chasing squirrels. I listened as Tim's parents got up and put the coffee machine on, took turns in the bathroom and getting ready for the big day... I shut the alarm off and Tim's eyes opened. The deep blue eyes stared at me for about a minute as we sat there in silence.. He was as anxious as I was scared and together we got up and got dressed. We packed a few pairs of socks, underwear, and shirts... and the four of us got into the car and began our journey to Yale.
We got there around 6:30am and signed in. We were a half hour early but that was fine by us. about 10 of 7 Tim kissed his mom and dad goodbye and we took the elevator up to the third flood and signed him in. They checked his blood pressure which was slightly elevated but not enough to send him home (the nurse said) they had him slip into a baby purple Johnny coat and a baby blue hair net. The anisthesiologist came in and said hello. He couldnt have been any older than Tim.. explained to us about what they were going to do and put his IV in his arm. Tim joked around with him because at first he couldnt find the vein and said.. I hope you arent the one putting the kidney in!! (I shook my head).. the Dr. was hysterically laughing though and replied.. not incharge of the Kidney just incharge of your coma.. (too funny).. The surgeon came in and said hello.. and then around 8am.. his bed showed up and he was on his way. I watched him wheel off and gave him a kiss, told him I loved him and by 815 he was in the operating room.
Tims uncle was also in the same area as we were while they were prepping him for surgery. He went under about a half hour before Tim and by 1030 he was out of surgery. my heart skipped a beat when his Aunt called and said that the surgeon wanted to talk to her.. I got up and ran to the waiting room. She was already in talking with the Dr. She came out and said that everything went beautiful and that his kidney was very healthy and they were going to use it for the transplant. My chest felt like an elephant was sitting on it. Either I was going into cardiac arrest or I was so excited for the success of the Nephrectomy (Kidney extraction).. I sat with Aunt Angelyn until they allowed her to see Kenny (the donor) and I went downstairs. My best friend Fran was at the hospital giftshop waiting for me. We all sat down next to Tims parents and talked for about an hour. The surgeon paged us and we went upstairs and around 12pm and said that everything went awesome. He has a greek accent so it was hard to understand him because he talks so fast but we got out of it that he was doing great and making the pee pee... hahahaha.. So then we just waited for him to sleep for 90minutes and Tims mom and I went in to see him.. His anisthesiologist came up to me and said.. I didnt want you to see me eating lunch and wonder why he was out of surgery (lol they know im crazy) and said that his surgery went great and assured me that everything was fine. We saw Tim and being the jokester that he is asked who I was.. he knew I was so scared.. we laughed and within a half hour they had him up to his room. He was pain free thanks to the morphine pump. (more to come... im hungry)
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Mein Versuch zu blog in Deutsch
Ich versuche, die Software zu übersetzen, damit ich mein englisch auf deutsch halten können die Aktualisierung alle meine Blogs und wie Tim tut. Er soll für seine transplantation on April 3rd. Er wird 10-14 Tage im Krankenhaus verbringen zu vergewissern, dass die niere wurde erfolgreich in Tim und, dass es gut funktioniert. Er wird lernen, wie man seine Nieren- und auch die pillen zu helfen halten seine neue niere gesund. Wir freuen uns sehr, dass ich diese Chance so bald nach der im vergangenen August wurde er diagnostiziert wird.Sein onkel ist ein Gott senden. Bitte beten sie für Tim und informieren sie uns alle in deinen Gedanken! Vielen Dank!
Friday, March 2, 2012
Down in the Dumps?
48 things to be grateful for
Everything is possible
I’ll tell you a little secret, except it’s not secret at all: There are no limitations on how you can live your life. EVERYTHING. IS. POSSIBLE. Now, if that’s not something to be grateful for (every day!), then we need to have a serious talk.Dreams in the making
Are you a girl on a mission? Are you making conscious choices and living the life you want to live? Are you on your way to dream come true? Be grateful for the path you’re on, the joy it gives you and the hope you’re experiencing.Dreams come true
Even better! Make a list of all the dreams you’ve had that you made come true! This list will be the ultimate inspiration list to achieve even more and bigger goals.Being able to help others
Be grateful when you find yourself in a position to help others, because it means you are abundant. Think of it this way: You are so plentiful, you are filled to the brim, you have more to give! It’s a wonderful situation to be in, and think about how you are making an impact on someone else’s life.Family
Familiy is familiy, and no matter if you’re close or not – think about what your family members actually mean to you. It’s well worth your time to take a few moments and appreaciate all the good things about your family. Bonus points if you call your mum and thank her for everything she has ever done for you !
Friends
It’s easy to be grateful for good friends. Do you remember to tell them too? For your own sake, it can be really nice to write a list of all your friends and a little note on what about each one you’re grateful for.
Being thought of
“I’ll think about you,” she said while I was standing on her doorstep, tears flowing down my cheeks. Being thought of, especiall during hard times, really means a lot, and to this day, I am so grateful for those four words she said before I left. Is anyone thinking of you right now? Maybe someone is worried about you? Or just really care? (Or maybe someone is deeply in love and can’t stop thinking about you!?) Time to add it to your list of wonderful things to be grateful for.Moments with strangers
Sometimes a shared moment with a stranger makes your day really special. It’s when you see something funny and realize the person next to you on the bus saw the same thing and is trying to keep his laughter in. You eyes meet for a second, and suddenly you’re both laughing out loud. He’s getting off at the next stop and you’ll probably never see each other again, but that moment probably made both of your days. That moment – be grateful for it. Just thinking about it will make you smile.Your strength
You are probably stronger than you think! Being grateful for what you have achieved, endured and lived through can only lead to good things. Take a moment and appreciate what you’re good at, how well you manage. Well done!
Good health
Health is the most imporant thing, and yet we often take our good health for granted. Even if you’re not in perfect health at the moment, it is possible to be grateful for what you have, when you feel better, that it ain’t worse.Opportunities
It’s easy to be grateful when a wonderful opportunity opens up, but gratitude can also work the other way around. Be grateful for opportunities and look back at the last few days. What kind of opportunities were you given? Does something strike you as a great opportunity now that you didn’t immediately realize then? For example – invites, requests, demands of attention, changes of plans might look more like an opportunity now than it did when you were first presented for it.
The place you were born
Chances are, if you’re reading this right now, that you live in a well-developed and modern country. It’s so easy to take this for granted! Personally, I’m lucky to be living in one of the richest countries in the world (thank you, oil), and I very often take that for granted. Think about all the benefits of living where you do – do you have great health care, universities, media industry or sunshiny warm weather? Do you have the best food tradition, holiday locations or job opportunities? Even if you don’t have it all – appreciate what you’ve got!
Your job
In uncertain times, you can be grateful for your job. Even if you don’t like what you’re doing, or you’re paid next-to-nothing, there are always things to be grateful for: the best boss, co-workers, work-time or the prettiest view from the office. You have wonderful customers or clients, great opportunities or are you just lucky to have a job at all? There are positive sides and lots of gratitude potential in your job!
Your wealth
Food on the table, money to spare, money in the bank, enough to come by, 5 dollars for a magazine, a small side-income, making money doing your thing – rather than focusing on what you’re lacking – focus on what you’ve got.
Great conversations
This is one of my favourites. I really, truly, deeply, appreciate a good and interesting conversation. When was the last time you had one?
Change
Most people fear change. This is where you use gratitude to really help you through. It’s so easy to find ways that change will be bad, but take five minutes and think about what you appreaciate with the changes you’re facing. Can you find room for being grateful for change too?
Health care
I’m really grateful for all the help I’ve ever received (and am still receving) from all the wonderful people who make it their mission to help and care for others. Instead of feeling bad about your illness and hurt, focus on your gratitude. I’m sometimes amazed at how wonderful it is that us human beings take care of each other in this way.
Help from others
Up the same alley, has anyone helped you today? People interact and help each other every day, so chances are that you’ve received help in any way. Look out for help in disguise! People might be trying to help even if you don’t realize it right there and then.
Fresh starts
If you’ve ever been given a second chance, you know what I’m talking about here. Fresh starts, new chances and big life changes are wonderful and easy to appreciate. However, have you ever thought about that every single day is a fresh start? I am grateful for this day.
Good food
Food on the table is a basic human need and if you’ve never starved – easy to take for granted. I’m not saying you have to be grateful for food just because you have it and others don’t (although you should seriously consider it), but how about being grateful for a wonderful and tasty meal? Sometimes I’m so grateful for chocolate it feels like I’m going to explode with joy!
Inspiration
You can always be grateful for inspiration. I’m willing to bet that you find a lot of inspiration around you to be grateful for if you look a little closer! For example, I’m very grateful for really inspiring blogs, books, poetry, and photography that inspires me every day. Which inspiration sources are you grateful for right now?
Smiles
Let’s be grateful for smiles together! Smiles from a stranger, a loved one or in a photo – smiling is contageous! Be greateful for the smiles others gift you with, and be grateful for your own ability to smile and spread love and happiness.
Education
If you’re fortunate enough to receive a good education, this is something you can be grateful for. How about thanking your teachers and professors, your parents if they pay for your college or be grateful for your own intelligence and ability to learn.
Synchronicity
Synchronicity is when you’ve just decided pursue a career and then immediately meet someone who is willing to be your mentor. Synchronicity is when you’ve decided to use the colour green to brand your business and you suddenly is surrounded by green everywhere. Synchronicity is when you think about a friend and then suddenly your friend calls! It’s the most wonderful thing in the world, and if something like this has happened to you lately – be grateful for it because it doesn’t happen all that often!
Shared or aquired wisdom
Sometimes people share their wisdom without even noticing, so be on the lookout for shared wisdom in disguise. In addition, people often deliberately want to share their wisdom because they care about you! It’s a nice thing to be greateful – give thanks – and to look at each little piece of wisdom as a blessing. Aquired wisdom is when you suddenly realize something, make a connection or learn from your mistakes. Be greateful for your own insight, your knowledge and your wisdom!
Painful lessons
Some of life’s lessons are inevitably going to be painful. However, I often find that the harder the lesson – the more potential for growth it represents. Being grateful for life’s hard lessons, for the pain and the suffering – because it will help you grow – is a really nice way to turn something bad into something good.
A great book
Getting lost in a really good novel, or diving into a great non-fiction read is a wonderful feeling. The next time you sit down to read, send a little thought of gratitude to the author of the book, and be grateful for the book itself. Sometimes it amazes me how words on paper can bring me so much joy!
Great music
For the same reasons as above, music has the power to transform your mood and nothing is better than some music to dance to while you do your chores! The next time you enjoy listening to music, send a little thought of thanks to the musicians, the song-writers, the producers and the artist. Appreciating the people who contribute to make magical music will make you feel good as well.
Art
The next time you appreciate a work of art, focus your gratitude towards what the artwork gives you. Inspiration? Motivation? A sense of belonging? Do you feel anger? Disgust even? Focus on how the work of art makes you feel and focus your gratitude on the artworks ability to move you. Most of all, I feel grateful when I come upon a work of art that calms me down, but I’m working on that sense of gratitude for other kinds of art too.
The small things
The magic really is in the small things. That’s why I tend to focus on these when I do my gratitude tweets. A tasty treat, a cup of tea, sunshine through my window, a small moment of joy – all are really small things that give me tremendous amounts of happiness.
Pets
If are lucky enough to have a pet, you know how much joy and company it brings. I think everyone who has a cat, dog, horse or turtle (oh yes!) feels that their pet is the best one in the world – and it is! So, if you’re feeling low, tired or depressed, just be grateful for the moments when your dog greets you at the door, when your cat sneak up against you to cuddle or when your turtle smiles (apparently they do!).Connections
Connections are wonderful to include in your gratitude practice. The really strong connections you have with the people closest to you – or a shared smile with a stranger on the bus. All connections are sacred and mean so much to us. Take a moment to think back on the connections you’ve made the last day. Grateful?
Kindness
Most people automatically give thanks when they recognize kindness in other people. So there are two more ways to be grateful for kindness: You can try to recognize it more, which means to actively be on the lookout. Can someone’s action be interpreted in a way that means they are actually trying to be kind? For example, that person who uses ages to order in a coffeeshop might actually be buying coffee to all of his friends. Or your flatmate who never cleans might be the too busy taking care of the people around her.
The other way you can be greateful for kindness is to do it consciously, not automatically. Look at how many times during one day you say “thanks”. How many of those times do you really mean it? How do you think it would make you feel if you managed to do it consciously every time? I’m willing to bet it would give you a lot of smiles and happiness.
Insight and clarity
You know when you look back at something that has been bothering you and suddenly see it in a different light? Or when you manage to make a really good decision in the middle of chaos? Add it to your grateful list and let the happiness you get from it grow!
Perspective
Looking at things in perspective is another one of life’s blessings. And it’s so much easier in hindsight than in the moment! Be greateful when you manage to look at a situation differently, from another persons point of view or you see consequences for different actions. Seeing things from another person’s perspecitve is often painful and hard, and it will often make us grow as human beings. Being able to feel gratitude when looking at a time when you experienced painful growth will double it!
Life
So easy to overlook, but so so fundamental. Be grateful for being alive!
Time
Free time, an open calendar, time off, fun times – be grateful for the time you have to do what you love. Even if you are super-busy, do you have the time of your life? Add it to your grateful list for an instant positive mood-booster.
Beauty
No need to explain this one, I just want to remind you to be grateful for all the beauty in your life. So easy to include in your daily grateful list!
Daylight
If you live in country with only 6 hours (or less) of daylight in the winter (like me), you’ll learn to appreciate the daylight when you have it. What are you grateful for right now that you wish you could have more of?
Memories
If you’re lacking of things in your present to be grateful for (look harder, dear!), look to your past. Focus on those good memories that make you smile!
Good service
… is often taken for granted, as we tend to focus on the times when we receive our coffees from the really grumpy barista, not the nice one who remember your daily order. How about thanking the staff next time you receive good service?
Gifts
No explanation needed here, just want to remind you that gifts come in a lot of different ways.
Creativity
Be thankful for the times when you can’t hold it in, when you just want to create, create, create. God a new creative idea? Add it to your list of things to be grateful for!
Your special talents
Can you remember almost any number combination? Do you write the most sparkly application letters? Or can you balance three grapes on your nose while singing a song? (lucky you!) Be grateful for your special talents, the cherry on top of the cake of you!
A good cup of coffee or tea
Well, I know I included this in the list of the small things, but a good cup of anything hot usually sneaks in on most of my grateful lists. Lavender earl grey latte, coffee with milk, red berry rooibos – I’m bursting with gratefullness for the ease it gives me. How about you?
Love
It’s to the end of the list, but it’s not because it isn’t important! Love in any form – just the thought of it will make you smile. I think there’s nothing in the world that makes me more grateful than the love I’m feeling from the people around me, and the love I’m giving in return. Are you experiencing love? Big life-changing-, deep mother-daughter-, or instant take-out-the-fire-exstinguisher-LOVE: I’m willing to bet that love is part of the solution to the meaning-of-life riddle.
Generosity
Look out for generosity and be grateful for the people who are! Generosity comes in a number of ways, people can for example be generous with their time, attention, help, advice or money. It’s easy to remember to be grateful when money and things are involved, but remember to keep an eye out for other kinds of generosity too.Having something to look forward to
Last, but not least (as this list is not in any order), be grateful for the things you are looking forward to in your life right now. Are you planning a journey, starting something new or are you just looking forward to your friends birthday party? Thinking about something great that will happen in the future is an instant way to feeling good right now. Think about it this way; being grateful for something in the future now will double the fun!
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