Gratitude is a Funny Thing

"I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you:

Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good"
"For Good" Wicked

Gratitude is a funny thing. The more you give the more you receive. People thank me all the time for things and it makes me uncomfortable. I do the things I do because it fulfills me and makes me happy...not because I look for the 'thank you'. I do the things I do because I feel it is my duty to pay forward every kind deed ever done for me. I do the things I do to make the world a better place.

What I have come to realize is that these simple acts of kindness fill me up. I am the one that should be saying thank you to these people who have come into my life and allowed me to be a better, stronger human being. The girls I coach give me wonderful gifts each and every time we are together. I learn new things about them as well as myself. The students I teach...well...they teach me something new each and every day. I learn from them how to become a better teacher....a more compassionate, caring, flexible teacher. I run to support 2 charities and they are so grateful for the money raised...but it is me who should be grateful to them as the children they service give each and every footfall of my running new meaning and purpose. New runners ask me for advice and training assistance. While I feel totally unqualified to give any advice on running, I repeat advice I have been given. I learn some of the basics all over again just in repeating these words of wisdom. I stand on the shoulders of all the people that have helped me get to where I am....to become the person I am....I did not get here alone.

There are people that come into our lives for a reason....For me that reason is to learn from them and then pay it forward. Gratitude is a funny thing....the more you give the more you get. So to all who have given to me I say thank you. You raise me up....

"You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.
You raise me up: To more than I can be."
"You Raise Me Up" Josh Groban