“Reflect Each Day On All You Have To Be Grateful For And You Will Receive More To Be Grateful For.” -Chuck Danes

It can be so easy to forget to express the appreciation we feel for the little day-to-day things that happen in our lives.  When life gets tough, it’s not hard to overlook the blessings we receive from those around us.

This week has been great.  I have learned many things this week because of my gratitude list.  I have reconnected with long lost friends.  I have met several new friends.  I have encouraged others to keep a gratitude list (on paper or in their minds).  I learned a lesson from my son.  He is wise beyond his years and his heart is as big as the sun.  I yelled at him because I had a bad day.  Ten minutes later he said, “Mommy, what letter are we on?  Is it ‘D’?  I’m thankful for doves.  Doves stand for peace.  Don’t you like peace and quiet?  Oh, quiet.  That is a good one for Q…” I’m grateful he did not hold my bad behavior against me and pleased that he is enjoying the list.

I’m on a girl’s weekend shopping trip in Gatlinburg, TN.  Me, my sister, my Mom and my sister-in-law are all shopping ourselves to death!  I bought a new Coach pocketbook in red patent leather.  WOW.  I love this bag.  I’m grateful for the opportunity to spend time with the fam!  I’ll post pictures soon…

Have a great weekend.  I’ll still be here…Only 21 more days…

1.  Experience.  “Experience is what you get when you don’t get what you wanted.”  A great quote from a wise man by the name of Randy Pausch.  The world is not the same without him but better off for knowing his story.  The Last Lecture.  Check it out!

2.  Energy.  My son has enough for everyone.  I eat lots of protein everyday and this really helps with my energy level.

3.  Education.  Boy…is this important.  I’m grateful my mother encouraged us to continue our education.  She wanted better for us than what she had.  I never understood that until much later in my life.  Thanks, Mom!

4.  Eyebrow waxing.  Why did no one tell me about this sooner?  I walked through half my life looking like Groucho.  It hurts, yes…but my goodness…it sure makes a difference.

Read More »

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.   ~William Arthur Ward

Today I have started and stopped writing at least 5 times.  While I can think of the things I am grateful for, today I find it hard to appreciate those things I am thankful for because I find myself focusing on the negative things (can you say run-on sentence?).  Bad stuff is just going to happen, no matter what I do.  It is how I handle it that determines the outcome.   I have so far to go-still.   I need to re-read Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff.  I hope this challenge will be a good lesson for me.

Here’s my ‘D’ list…

1.  Decisions.  I don’t always make the best decisions, but my intentions are always good.

2.  Diet Mountain Dew.  I’m not sure I could live without this.  Okay, I can, but I don’t want to.  Truth is…you don’t want me too either.  I don’t drink coffee.  The caffeine must come from somewhere.  Hey, I’m at least grateful it is calorie-free.  I donw a 12 pack almost everyday.  Thank goodness I’m no alcoholic!

3.  Digital Camera.  Boy, I sure love my camera.  I have captured so many memories with this thing.  The older I get, the less I can remember.  It is nice to have pictures to look back at and reflect.

4.  Diet Cookbooks.  I’m a horrible cook.  Without these, I’m an unhealthy cook.

5.  December.  This is a hectic month for my entire family, but we also have tons of fun.  Some of my best memories are putting up the Christmas tree at my mom’s house.  She has the most beautiful tree.  My sister and I usually wrap about 1000 presents for my mom.  Even though we complain, we really don’t mind doing it.  We are all still “kids” and count and shake presents, just like when we were 8.  Really, like 1000.  No kidding!

Read More »

At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person.  Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us. ~Albert Schweitzer

Yesterday was a rainy day. The sky was dark and I stayed iat home all day. Funny-I did not mind it at all. Normally, I would be in a gloomy mood. Not yesterday. I surprised myself. I honestly think I owe it to my ‘list’.

Yesterday I found myself smiling, thinking of past times. I laughed a lot. It felt really good. I never imagined my ‘list’ could make such a difference. I don’t think I had one negative thought all day. Life is good.

When I decided to search for gratitude in my life, I figured I would blog it, really never thinking anyone would read it.  But…I have received a few comments, and for that, I’m grateful.  If you don’t write it, at least-think it!

Today is day 3 of my challenge. Let’s ‘C’ what I’m grateful for today (obviously a failed attempt to be witty…)

1. Cameron. My son. He is the best thing to ever happen to me. I have no idea where I would be at this moment without him. Every decision I make in life revolves around him. How will this decision affect Cam? What would Cameron do if I…? Is this the right thing for Cameron?

2. Chocolate. My other best friend.

3. Cartoons. So what if I’m 35? I love watching cartoons. I just wished they still came on Saturday mornings like when I was a kid. Hmm…I wonder why they don’t???

4. Chap-Stick. Yep, another addiction. I can’t live without it. I have a tube on my dresser, 2 or three in my pocketbook, in my car, my make-up case, my desk…I never want to be in a situation without it.

5. Coach handbags. Need I say more?

Read More »

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

Yesterday I found myself thinking more and more about the things I am grateful for.  I am actually carrying around a notebook and jotting down things as they pop into my mind.  Even my son is participating! It is amazing the things I realize I have taken for granted.  On Day 2 of my challenge,  I want to recognize the things I am grateful for… starting with the letter B, of course!

Finding Gratitute-B

1.  Brothers.  John, my younger brother and Bob, my brother-in-law.  I have often wondered if Bob is God’s silly way of punishing me for all the mean things I did to my brother growing up.  Now, Bob irritates me!  How many times can he ‘goose’ me and think it’s funny!

2.  Best Friend.  I’m lucky to have a best friend who will stand beside me and not judge me for the wrong decisions I make or the faults I have.  God Bless Her!

3.  Band-Aids.  I’m a klutz.  I’m rarely without a band-aid.  Plus, as some of you know (if you read the about me page)  I cut myself shaving every time I shave! I am stuck on Band-aid brand, ‘cause band-aid’s stuck on me…

4.  Bling! Come on…every girl loves jewelry, especially diamonds.

Read More »

Gratitude is the quality or feeling of being grateful or thankful.  That’s easy enough, but-not so much.  Recently, I have been burning the candle at both ends.  Work is super hectic (never a dull moment) these days.  In addition to work, I have been finishing up that “one last project”, getting my son ready to start back to school, planning baby showers, birthday parties, and  building online communities, spring cleaning…the list goes on and on.  Who has time to stop and be grateful, right? ..

By Tuesday, I was ready to pull my hair out.  Everything that could go wrong-did.  Everything that was right-well…nothing was right.  On my commute home, I tried to clear my mind of all the ‘bad stuff ‘and focus on the ‘good stuff’.  Stress Life was really getting to me.  For the life of me, I just couldn’t think of anything-NOTHING.  It took the next few hours for me to realize that I have tons of things to be grateful for.  Somehow, with all of the other stuff going on in my life, I have not stopped to appreciate all of the wonderful things around me…my family, friends, health, job, etc.  How did this happen?

Here’s my solution.  I have decided to set aside time EVERY day to think about the things I am grateful for.   In true OCD fashion, I’m going to create a list of those things and list them it in alphabetical order.  Everyday for the next 26 days, I am challenging myself to list at least 10 things I am grateful for that day.  Of course, I have more than 10 things I am thankful for, but am challenging myself to list at least 10 daily. I’m starting with the letter A.  Here goes…

FINDING GRATITUDE-A

1.  Ashton, Avery, and Allyn-Claire.  My dear nephews and niece.  I’m lucky to have them!

2. America.  I’m proud to join the 300 million+ people who live in this country!

Read More »