As we wrap up Thanksgiving (are all the leftovers gone?), head for the holidays and the start of 2011 it’s a good time to take stock of what I’m grateful for in my life. Certainly I’m grateful for my health, the love of my wife Anita, work that excites and challenges me to be more, a loving family, great friendships, food on the table, a roof over my head, a fabulous country in which to live and so much more.

It’s easy to rattle off a list of stuff for which I’m grateful. I have been blessed with so very much, but after getting past the list, I feel there’s something deeper. Something that has molded me and made we who and what I am today – willingness.

• Willingness to do what’s right.
• Willingness to not say what’s on my mind.
• Willingness to love and to be loved by others.
• Willingness to nurture a relationship with a God of my understanding.
• Willingness to give back what has been so graciously given to me.
• Willingness to get out of myself and to serve others.
• Willingness to open my mind to new possibilities.
• Willingness to listen.
• Willingness to serve.
• Willingness to do what at first seems difficult then becomes comfortable and eventually feels effortless.
• Willingness to ask for help.
• Willingness dream, to imagine what can and will be.
• Willingness to expose myself to you for it’s through sharing who I truly am that I see it reflected back to me.

The things, the people and circumstances can all change (in many cases I pray they do). I used to believe I wanted consistency in my life, to get into a groove and to stay there. Now I realize that the groove is a form of a mini grave. One that buries me from all that life has to offer.  For I know that with a willingness to serve, to grow and to care for others I’ll have more blessing than I could ever count.