I have come to find that the connection between gratitude and parenting is more clear than I ever could have realized. I can honestly say that before having my daughter I didn't understand the true meaning of the word blessed.  Before her, I didn't realize how quickly time was passing me by. Before her, I took for granted so many things that I have in this world. Before her, I stressed a lot more about nonsense things that have no place for worry. And before her, I lived my life in a much more uptight and inauthentic way.