Recovery Brings Forth Gratitude

Take Pen to Paper: Edition 145

Jul 03, 2025

Happy Summer!

It’s here with all its heat and humidity.

Personally, I like the heat because I hate being cold. But there can be too much of a good thing, even heat. Last week, like in much of the country, it was a scorcher even for me.

I’ve been trying to take my walks early, before it’s unbearable. When I took my walk this morning, I thought about how grateful I was to feel good, even in the heat and humidity.

In this newsletter:

Losing a day.
Taking the time to feel.
Stopping for gratitude.

Health Is A Source Of Gratitude

You will often see in my gratitude journal that I am grateful for my health. I’m in good health for my age. Some things I control, others I do not, but I try to live a healthy life.

I could write a statement of gratitude every day about my health. You probably could too. Even if you have chronic health issues, there is something for you to be grateful for. It brings to mind the proverb of the man who cried because he had no shoes, until he saw a man who had no feet.

Yesterday, I lost a day due to a headache. I hate to call it a migraine because I know others really suffer much more than I do with one. This happens three or four times a year. I take medicine and sleep a lot. Even after sleeping during the day, I go to bed early. I feel worthless because I accomplish nothing.

I know the headache won’t last forever, and I look forward to recovery, which is typically the next day.

Gratitude In The Sauna

As I walked this morning in the heat and humidity, I thought about how good I felt compared to yesterday.

I've had this same feeling many times before; however, I’m not sure I’ve expressed my gratitude for my recovery. Yesterday’s headache wasn’t even the worst I’ve ever had. But there I was walking in the sauna that the neighborhood had become, moving through the broiling areas of sun to get to the shady spots, thinking about how good I felt and how grateful I was to have recovered from my headache.

Perhaps I am increasing my trait of gratitude by practicing it every day.

Do You Stop For Gratitude?

We all experience recovery from something.

In our health alone, the possibilities are endless: head colds, stomach viruses, sinus infections, minor cuts, bruises, burns, and the list goes on. These are just ordinary good health interruptions. When your body is back to normal, don’t you think about how much better you feel?

This morning, I wondered how often I stop to be specifically grateful for recovery. Do you stop to be grateful when you recover?

We don’t have to be in perfect or even good health to be grateful for the health we have. We just need to feel better than before, or recognize what we have that others may not.

7 Days, 7 Thoughts on Gratitude and Good:

That’s my broken ankle in the picture above. There’s nothing like being on crutches for four months to be grateful for two working ankles, good orthopedic surgeons, and the many family members and friends who chip in to help out. 🦵
What’s a migraine like? Here is an article all about them. 🤯
Heat and humidity affect the way we feel, and here’s why. 🥵
Research has shown that gratitude stimulates the production of two neurotransmitters, dopamine and serotonin, which results in long-term improvements in experiencing positive emotions.
A quote: “I’ve learned to appreciate my body because it’s taken me all the way here and will take me to the end.” – Clémentine Desseaux
Depending on what you are recovering from, it can take anywhere from a day to several years. No matter how long, the human body is amazing. 🗓️
It’s a good thing to think about all of the things your body can do instead of dwelling on what it can’t.

Thank you for reading. Have you ever been struck by the sudden need to be grateful?

Until next time,

💚

Susan

What unusual time has gratitude occurred to you? Leave a comment and let me know. I would love to hear about it. I may be interested in trying it.

Take Pen to Paper