How Gratitude Brought About a Flat Tire

I write in a gratitude journal every night before bed. I just write down 5 things I’m grateful for that happened that day. But last night I forgot to write in my journal. Gasp! This morning I woke up and thought, “Crap! I forgot to write in my journal.” So I thought about the things I would have written had I remembered, and got ready for the day.

On my way to work my car sounded strange and wouldn’t go very quickly. At first I thought it was due to ice on the road, but felt I should pull over to regroup. I got out of the car and noticed my front tire was super flat. Wow! Was I grateful it didn’t happen on the icy freeway!

I called my husband, but before he could get there someone had pulled over and offered his help. Even after I told him my husband was on his way, he said, “Might as well get started while he’s coming.” Now, mind you, it’s literally 9° outside. He knelt on that icy road and started working to get the spare out! I was so thankful he started on it even knowing help was on the way. And he stayed and helped my husband change the whole tire! Thanks, Jake!

We needed to buy 2 new tires, but got a discount from the tire store so it only cost $176. That was an expense I hadn’t planned on right after the holidays, but no big deal. It’s only money. Thanks for the $98 discount, tire store!

There was a time, not so long ago, that this experience would have unhinged me. If it hadn’t brought on an onslaught of tears, it would have ruined my mood for the entire day. I guess my default is closer to abundance these days. What a relief–all this think shifting is working!

So, I guess the gratitude isn’t what brought on the flat tire…it seems the flat tire brought on the gratitude! Perhaps that flat tire saved me from a fiery crash. We’ll never know. But if it did, THANK YOU FLAT TIRE!

What about you? How do you stay in gratitude when life tosses you a flat tire?