Every day I am grateful for something: friends who have stood by me, family members who have stayed connected, my garden, good health, new opportunities, that I live in a democracy, for Barack Obama and the spirit of hope in my country again ...

When the dominant media message, "Be afraid, be very afraid!", begins to resonate too loudly, I take the time to remember that for which I am grateful and I am heartened.

What are you grateful for?