Rethinking gratitude

It is a stressful time for all of us these days. I try really hard to focus on the positive. Part of my morning practice is to focus on what I am grateful for. It can be something as simple as the sun shining or that I had a good night’s sleep.

It is hard to stay positive though. I’ve been busy these past several weeks with medical appointments, nothing serious, just annual screenings and heeding the advice of several of my doctors. They said there may very well be another shutdown here in Massachusetts so I should plan on having any medical appointments in October and November.

With medical appointments, comes the health insurance quagmire. Since I have nothing but time on my hands, I look very closely at the medical bills and insurance company “statement of benefits.” Talk about an eye opener.

There is one particularly annoying line item, “Hospital access fee (or service charge.)” What the heck is that? So I call my insurance company and the very nice rep says, “Oh yes, that is allowed. That is listed on page 10 of your plan document (which, by the way is buried deep in the website so noone can find it).” Mmmm…so now we are being charged just for walking into the hospital. What a racket!

Yes, it is annoying and it doesn’t seem fair. But, I have no control over things like this, so I am learning to let these things go. I found it easier to deal with by changing my attitude towards gratitude.

I am grateful for:

• Easy access to world class medical care. I don’t even have to go into Boston proper to get this, our town has a great hospital and great doctors, all of whom are associated with a Boston hospital.
• My doctors. All of whom I like and respect. I truly feel they are my partners in my health.
• My ability to pay. Yes, it is super annoying to pay these “fake” charges, but I can’t change this
• Last, but not least, my good health.  That is something I never take for granted.

In this stressful time, how have you changed your attitude and made life easier for yourself?

Gratitude image is from The Well at University of North Carolina.