Gratitude Journal

Midlife is a time to start a gratitude journal for all that we have and all that we've become.

I realize I don't know anything about your individual situations, and you may or may not have had enormous struggles in your personal life, in your relationships, with your family life, with your career, your finances, your health or any other stuggle or tragedy that I can't even imagine at this point.

However, what I do believe-and join me if you wish in the gratitude journal-that we ought to be thankful for what we do have and write it all down in your gratitude journal. We should be thankful for the strength that was given to us to carry on. We should be grateful we have lived this long when so many others haven't.

Please take the time to think of as many things as you can that you are grateful for, and share them with your menopausal sisters.

* I am thankful I am healthy.

* I am grateful to be born and raised in Canada.

* I thank God for my laugh lines. I'm glad I've always been able to find something to smile about.

* I am happy my parents are still alive and they were able to come to my second wedding.

* I'm thankful for my body eventhough I've had cancer. Im glad I'm still alive, and I can go to grandparents day at my kids' school.

* I had really bad endometriosis and had to have a hysterectomy a few years ago. I'm glad I no longer have to deal with the pain and agony of really heavy periods. I feel younger than I have in years! Praise be to God.

*I'm grateful for my health, and for the cadre of holistic practitioners, also MDs, who helped me breeze through menopause. My premenopause was also eased by many of the suggestions you make here, particularly in regard to eating healthful foods and doing some form of exercise, regularly. Your suggestions and research are spot on with what I learned from my practitioners ... and proved in my own body. I consider myself fortunate to have found them ... even as I worked in the medical field with other doctors ... who did not yet quite believe in holistic alternatives, as much as they do now. Patricia del Valle

Response from Glenda: Thank you very much for taking the time to write these encouraging words. I really hope more women can benefit from holistic alternatives.

* I turned 50 years old on the weekend, and I feel powerful and energized. This has nothing to do with my life circumstances. I'm just grateful for all the experiences I have lived so far. I feel fulfilled and proud of my achievements and my family. Helena S.

*I am thankful for hormone replacement therapy alternatives such as diet and fitness that you talk about on this site. Who wants to expose herself to drugs that only cause problems in the future? Sara.

Response from Glenda: Thank you for this note. Everyone's risks, tolerances and benefits for hormone replacement therapy are different. However, lifestyle improvements help everyone.

* My cellphone.

* I am thankful for my 2 sons that want to be with me when we moved provinces after the divorce, I am thankful to my sister, her husband, brothers and parents who have helped me so much to get back on my feet. I am thankful for old friends who are back in my life and new ones who lighten up my days.I look forward to the next part of my life and all the new challenges, discoveries and positive experiences it holds for me and my family. I am grateful for my health, freedom and my past experiences that I have learned and grown from.

Response from Glenda: Wow. I am thankful that you are focusing on the positive aspects of the divorce. Tough to do, but you seem to be doing it!

I hope you enjoy this gratitude journal which is for all of us to share. Please add any of your own thoughts to this journal to inspire the rest of us.