BC Bloggers Meme: Count Your Blessings!

This week's meme from BC Bloggers is hosted by Marco of Daddy Yashiro's Journal. We were tasked to write about at least five blessings we have received for the past week.  In life, there is indeed a lot to be thankful for and sometimes, we need to pause for a while, appreciate, and give thanks for these blessings.

“Count your blessings. Once you realize how valuable you are and how much you have going for you, the smiles will return, the sun will break out, the music will play, and you will finally be able to move forward the life that God intended for you with grace, strength, courage, and confidence.” --- Og Mandino

Praying Gopher, a photo by Dane Low on Flickr.

Here are the blessings I received (not necessarily the only blessings I got) this week, in random order.

Blood pressure under control (the Gift of Health)
For some of you who may have visited my other blog iHeart Good Health, you will know that I am waging war against this so-called silent killer (hypertension).  Well, the fight is far from over because I still need medication to bring down and maintain my blood pressure to a healthy level.  I would already be overjoyed with a reading of 120/80 mm Hg, and for a time, it has been like that since I've been on medication.  My target is actually the perfect 110/70...and for the past week, to my surprise, the values are somewhere in that region already, a little off by 2 or 3 but definitely somewhere between 120/80 and 110/70.  That makes me smile, looking at the possibility of still being able to reverse the condition and be off with medications in the near future.

Better sleep (the Gift of Comfort)
This may have contributed to lowered blood pressure also as I am getting enough good sleep.  In the days when it was really humid, I tend to wake up several times during sleeping hours and I kind of wake up tired, not rested at all.  The cooler weather has made me sleep more soundly nowadays.  I am well rested, feeling more energetic when I wake up.

Talking with my mom and nephews everyday (the Gift of Family)

Technology definitely has its perks and it helps bridge gaps.  I talk everyday on the phone with my mom and nephews who live in the province.  I can't physically be with them everyday, but having an unlimited call time from my plan enables me to chat with them on the phone for as long as we want, without worrying about escalating phone bills (on my part).  So, I am always in the loop and I know what's happening with them even if I'm miles away.  Sometimes, I even counsel my nephews (read: deliver lengthy sermons) about schooling and other stuff.

Sunlight on my office window (the Gift of Light and Hope)
I always love the sunlight streaming through the trees and making it's way through my office window.  I didn't have that yesterday because of the heavy downpour.  But as I am writing this post, I paused and smiled as I see the rays of light.  Seeing that always gives me a sense of hope and of good things waiting to happen.  It also tells me that I am alive, I have this job, and life is going on as usual.

Spending time with friends (the Gift of Friendship)
I have this breakfast club at the office.  Actually, we're about to have breakfast in a few minutes (so I hope to finish this entry soon).  As with our normal routine, we talk about anything under the sun while having our meals together.  We talk about funny stuff, work life of course, even problems, or simply just to rant.  It's kind of an outlet for us working women, a break from work stuff.  

Last Sunday, I also bumped into my classmate from Tai ji class.  We talked for a few minutes and it was great seeing her.  I kind of missed the whole class and she told me there's this nice place, a new restaurant where we could probably have our get-together some time later.  Already excited about it.

Lastly, I'll be seeing my best friend some time soon and am sure we've got lots of stories to tell each other, pick up where we left off the last time we had our bonding moment.  

Okay, so there goes my five blessings....the sun is definitely shining brighter, breakfast is ready, so I have to end this now.  Life is indeed full of blessings.  We just need to open our eyes and our hearts more and feel His love generously showered upon all of us.