I just made $500. I did about 15 minutes of work for the money. Tickling a keyboard. Dragging my finger on a mousepad. There was no heavy lifting involved, I assure you.

I mention it because my first thought was not how grateful I was to have $500 fall into my lap. No, my first thought was that I should have made $700 on the deal instead. I was actually more pissed off than joyful. My attention immediately went to the $200 I "lost" instead of the $500 that went into my bank account.

That’s just the truth of how I reacted. I’m not proud of it. And yes, I feel a little ashamed when I think about my initial reaction. It’s disconcerting to think how easy it is to take our blessings for granted.

That’s why I am dusting off my lovely, leather-spined gratitude journal and making some new entries of what I am thankful for.

Including the $500.