ACKNOWLEDGE THE GOOD... I have spent a lot of time in prayer this year petitioning God to bless me.  If you're like me, you understand what it means to be ambitious, pushing and desiring so much out of life. Our ambition can cause us to focus, and press toward that big prize, which we envision as the ultimate, so much so that we completely miss the lessons and yes the blessings along the way.. Is it possible that our tunnel vision can cause us to tune out or become blind to our very fortune? There's an old cliché that reminds us to take time and smell the roses. What it suggests to me is that sometimes we need to slow down and count our blessings and acknowledge the good that is  happening in our lives as opposed to what does not satisfy us. It's like exercising without breathing. We're moving so fast, so focused on the finish line, dizzying ourselves with action but we are not enjoying one moment of the process. One day in prayer, as I cried out to God to bless me, I was suddenly quickened in my spirit with something my mom used to say to me as a little girl. After I would throw a spoiled tantrum because she did not buy me something or because I did not get my way, she would say, "You know, the more I do for you, the more you give me your behind to kiss." As God reminded me of that story, He showed me how in the past few months so many doors had opened for me, so many small blessings had come my way, and many of my prayers had been answered. But in my ambition, I was still acting like that same spoiled kid; so focused on the big stuff that I failed to be grateful for what I had just received. Part of my problem is that I am never satisfied. This can be misconstrued as being ambitious but living this way can also make us cold and ungrateful. It's like getting a gift you've asked for but then saying oh that was nice, now what else do you have? What about taking the time to enjoy what is in front of you? When we act that way, it makes the giver never want to give you anything else because you're never satisfied and don't express your appreciation. What I'm coming to realize is that a huge component of being prepared to receive the blessings are the lessons I learn along the way. In fact, it's the lessons that are the real blessing. We are being processed and prepared to learn and develop ourselves, the results are just gravy. Seeing how ungrateful I had become is helping me slow down a bit and smell the roses. Our blessings come everyday, let us acknowledge them and grow as individuals and as a people even as we strive for more along the way. by D. Smith-Starks "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."   Philippians 4:11-12 NIV