“Gratitude is an opener of locked-up blessings.” – Marianne Williamson

Last week I was blessed with an invite to serve at an amazing event in Phoenix called Project Connect.  Project Connect is a monthly event that brings members of the community together with homeless people who are attempting to find solutions to their life problems and short comings. There are tables and services for clothing, food, shelter, medical, spiritual, drug problems and many other chances to move up in the world. I am a huge fan of this program since both parties get to grow through this experience.

I was able to walk two people through the process. The first was a woman who had been sober for a few months and was looking to get a test to find out if she was HIV positive. I was able to hold space for her and be there for this stranger in a very challenging and scary time in her life. I was honored to be placed in such a position to share the strength this world has given me with this woman.

The second person I was graced with gave me his sheet, he looked very run down. As I looked at his sheet I saw his birthday right away.  He was born on 9/25/1980…my birthday was yesterday, 9/26/1980. I was brought face to face with a man the same age as me who was living a much tougher life than I could even fathom today. All he wanted was a new ID and I helped convince him to get a shower, hair cut and some new clothes. With just those few things this mans whole aura seemed to brighten up. Being able to serve brightened me as well. On Wednesday I tracked him down and gave him a few gifts that I thought he would like. That process of giving to him provided me with such a gift of loving what I have in this moment.

I am not sure if what I gave to this man will change him at all, what I do know is that I have an even deeper gratitude for all the blessings that I have. I celebrated my birthday yesterday by reaching out to so many people who have helped me along my path. I used to often be focused on what I was going to get out of people and situations like holidays and birthdays. Today I count my blessings and find places where I can give back to others on days like this, as a result I am given a gift that is more valuable than any material thing could ever provide, that is the gift of joy and serenity that the Universe gives me for giving freely of myself. I love this life and I cannot wait to see how I can serve my fellows this next year!

Affirmation: I am blessed! My blessings allow me to bless others. I am grateful for all my blessings. Thank You Life!

Call To Action: Find a way that you can be a blessing in someone else’s life today. Try and see if you can be that blessing anonymously. If you would like to share that here with the CYLF community we would love that. If you would rather, answer these two questions in the comments. What are you grateful today? What was a blessing in your life today?