Gratefulness is the key to a happy life that we hold in our hands, because if we are not grateful, then no matter how much we have we will not be happy — because we will always want to have something else or something more.

I am thankful for the life I have, especially after observing people around me today.  Sure, I complain about things.  I’m only human.  But some people are so selfish.  I was leaving lunch today with an old friend (HI JON).  I over heard someone say “If he does not buy it for me, he’s out.”  Hmmm…I’m not sure what she was talking about but it sure sounds selfish to me!  I’m not that way.  I guess I have my mother to thank for that.  I would never demand something from someone.  Never.  I’m grateful to be me!

Yesterday there was a horrible storm.  Hail, lightning, thunder…you get the picture.  I was actually scared the storm was so bad.  I felt vulnerable.  Especially when the power went out!  My goodness.  I never knew how much we depend on electricity.  Thank goodness for my Blackberry and my laptop with a full charged battery.  I sure was grateful for that.  Then I realized and my son stood whining, that we need to make a change.  Why do we depend on electronics and gadgets so much.  Who needs the TV on 24 hours a day.  We are making changes at my house.  We are going to have a family night-NO TV.  We have decided to bust out the board games and brush off the dust.  FRIDAY is FAMILY FUN NIGHT starting tonight.  NO TV, NO VIDEO GAMES, NO BLACKBERRY, NO LAPTOPS, NO IPODS…I’ll let you all know how this goes.  But for now…

Gratitude Letter K

Kids. I only have one, but I love those rugrats around me.  I wished SOMETIMES I could have more…

KATE SPADE.  Next to my Coach obsession, I have quickly developed a love for Kate Spade.  Remember that at Christmas time!  hehe

Ketchup. Would you like fries with your ketchup.  Yes, it is that bad.  Ketchup in eggs…Check.  Ketchup in turkey, check…Ketchup on anything (almost)

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Today is a great day to be alive.  I arrived at work early, missing all of the rush hour traffic.  I’ve had a virtually stress free day.  My lunch was delicious and I started a diet and I’m not even hungry.  WOW.  That’s a first.

I talked to my son this morning about the gratitude list.  Every morning he asked me what I am grateful for.  But today, he asked me another question.  “Are you grateful for my dad?”  Hmmm….truth be known, I despise his father.  We split up when my son was one month old.  I knew I had to handle this situation gracefully.  So I clearly stated, “If it wasn’t for your dad, I wouldn’t have you.”  Then I started thinking.  I guess I am sort of grateful for him (even though I think he is a big loser).  On some level, the gratitude list has made me see through my hatred for him and shown me that I can be grateful, even to him.  Surprising…

Letter J was a breeze.  Here we go…

Jelly Bellys. My favorite flavor is Buttered Popcorn.  I hate popcorn.  I love these jelly beans.

Jeans. There is something about an old pair of jeans and a white t-shirt that I love.  So simple. So comfy.

Jewelry. Pandora is an obsession.  David Yurman, diamonds, etc.  LOVE IT!

Job. Of course I’m grateful for my job.  I work with great people.  I enjoy my work.  I don’t mind showing up for work everyday.  I’m blessed in this area.

Journal. This is like a journal, right?

Jade.  She is my assistant.  I’m not sure I could manage without her.  If you are reading this, thank you for all of your hard work!

Jelly with Peanut Butter. Yes, I love PB&J.  I’m 35, but it tastes just as good now as when I was 5.  Really.

Jumbo Shrimp. This is what I plan on having for dinner tonight.  I love jumbo shrimp, especially when on a diet.  Low fat, ya know…

Jalapeno and Cheddar soy chips. I’m in love with soy chips.  Jalapeno and Cheddar is one of my faves.  Joanna?  Josie?  What do you think?

Japanese food.  There is a great restaurant in my hometown.  YUMMY.  They have the best food and fantastic service.

Okay, maybe I’m hungrier than I thought.  Half my list is FOOD!  Gee, I must find carrot sticks!

Appreciation can make a day, even change a life. Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary. ~Margaret Cousins

Idol.  As in American. 

Imagination.  My son has the best imagination.  Today he is the son of Hermes.  Tomorrow, maybe a superhero. 

Ink.  I hate writing in pencil. 

Ice Cream.  Non-Fat Sugar Free, Lactose Free.  I guess that means flavored water.

Intelligence.  Enough said.

Insurance.  It’s expensive, but I’m sure glad I have it.  I just wished it would pay for lipo.  I need mw some lipo!

Gosh…I can only think of 6.  Help me out…Can you think of 4 more?

“Blessed are those that can give without remembering and receive without forgetting.” ~ Author Unknown

Last night I started to look back at my list.  As of yesterday, I have been keeping my list for an entire week.  Yep, 7 whole days.  It feels good to do something everyday that was so hard in the beginning.  Honestly, I forced myself to do the Gratitude List because I was feeling like a jerk for not being about to see the positive in my life.  So, the Gratitude List was born.  And I must tell you, it really is making a difference in my life.  Things don’t have the same affect on my that it once did.  I’m less likely to fly off the handle if something outside of the norm happens.  I reflect on those things in my life that I’m gratful for.  Everything else doesn’t seem to matter.  Looking at my list, I noticed alot of tiny things (like fabric softener :0)  ) mixed in with big things (like family).  Don’t get me wrong.  I would never compare the two.  It’s just that I never stopped to think what my life would be like without those “tiny things” until now. The power of gratitude is amazing.

Gratitude- Letter H

Home.  Dorothy was right.  There is no place like home. I sometimes get to travel with my job.  I get to see amazing places and stay in fancy hotels.  I still can’t wait to back home.

Habits.  I’m hoping my gratitude list become habit for me and that I never take those things around me for granted.  I just wished exercise would become a habit.

Hairdresser. My mom once cut my hair in 5th grade (the night before school pictures).  OMG!  What a nightmare.  I thought I would never forgive her for cutting my bangs so short.  Now, I rely on the skill of a real hairdresser.  My mom has many talents.  Cutting hair is not one of them.

Harry Potter.  Why at 35 years old do I love him so much?  Probably because of his courage and determination.  His loyalty to his friends and his desire to succeed.  Yes, I get more out of the books than just kids with magic wands and cool flying broomsticks.

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Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others. ~Cicero

First let me say that I am sorry for forgetting to post up my gratitude list for letter F.  I was so excited to be home from my trip, it totally slipped my mind.  So, to make up for my forgetfulness, I’ll post BOTH F and G today.

Today is Monday.  However, I’m not stressed, the weather is beautiful, I worked hard to get my work caught up before my trip and I have no complaints.  Perhaps my gratitude list is doing more for me than I thought.  Or at least my mini-vacation.  My weekend trip was so much fun.  I really had a great time with my Mom, sister and sister-in-law.  We shopped (ALOT), I spent way too much money (AS USUAL) and ate lots of great food (MY FAVORITE).  I am really grateful for the trip and the time I got to spend with the girls.  This is the first time we all have really spent with my sister-in-law for any extended period of time.  Honestly, it was so much fun.  She really does fit in with us, which may be a good thing (or maybe not).  I’ll let her decide.

Here is a double dose of gratitude…

Letter F

Flip Flops.  One of life’s many pleasures.  I love my flip flops.  I’m guess I have around 20 pairs.  They are super comfy, but I admit, I probably wear the too much and too often.  I even wear them to the office!

Friends.  I have few friends, by choice.  I love them all and would do anything for them.  I’m a firm believer in quality, not quantity.

Fruit.  Yes, even the chubby girl loves fruit.  I had the best California fruit salad on my trip.  Delish!  My favorite is probably watermelon, but grapes are a close second.

Fairy tales. You are never too old for fairytales.  I miss reading fairy tales to my son after tucking him into bed.  It helps that I have a niece that I adore.  She truly is a little princess, even if she is turning out to be just like me (or so her mom says!)

Fabric Softener.  I love me some fabric softener.  I swear…this makes me a happier person.  My mom never used fabric softener when I was growing up.  My clothes practically “crunched”.  I love the way it makes my towels fluffy and the smell it gives my clothes.  I never wash without it!

Free Gift with Purchase.  Isn’t this the best? I love to buy something that I was planning on buying anyway and then getting something free. How super!  Marketing geniuses, I tell ya!  I was grateful to receive a free lipstick for FREE when I recently purchased skin cream from Clinique.  Bless them!

Fat Free.  Yes…always on a diet. Always in search of something fat free.  Makes me think I can eat more!  Not always true, but it does make me feel better at the time.  I’m grateful for those 12.4 seconds before shoveling a genetically modified fat free brownie in my mouth.  Fat free usually means guilt free.  Well, at least for 12.4 seconds.

Feelings. There is nothing wrong with showing emotion and having feelings.  Sometimes even hurt feelings end up being a positive thing.  I should know.

French Manicures. I’m so grateful for my monthly manicure and pedicure at the salon.  I always feel so fantastic when I leave the salon with my fresh french manicure.  So classy.

Fridays.  No explanation necessary!

On to G… (7 days and counting)

Girl Talk.  I enjoyed alot of this over the weekend.  We laughed and chatted into wee hours in the morning.  What a great time.  (I know I already mentioned that)

Getaways.  I hoping to get to take another trip very soon.  My weekend trip really was relaxing and I’m grateful for that.  This is the first Monday in a long time I can remember feeling grateful and stress free.

Games.  Sunday is game day with the fam.  We have so much fun.  Gee, my family loves to compete.  There is nothing like a good card game to put us all in serious mode.  I can’t wait until the weather cools.  Then back to wiffle ball…

Google.  I would know nothing if not for Google.  NOTHING.

Geeks.  Hello, my name is Shannon and I am a geek.  So are most of my friends.  This is a good thing.  Embrace it!

Garlic.  I guess you know I’m not a vampire…Okay, it makes my breath stink.  Who cares?  Not me.  I love it.

Girdle.  Don’t laugh.  All fat chicks own one.  The feel horrible to wear and are so uncomfortable. However, when wearing one, I’m a whole size smaller!  Boy, am I grateful for that!

Grapes.  My second favorite fruit!  I’m eating them right now.

Grandparents.  I had the pleasure of getting 30 years with my grandparents.  I miss them, but will see them again one day.  They were both great people and I loved them very much.

Giggles.  Laughter is also the best medicine.  See my blog title… Plus, you burn calories when you laugh.  I obviously don’t do this enough…hmmm….

I’m on a role.  Tune in tomorrow for Gratitude-Letter H.