There is so much wisdom in
this quote. Gratitude can change your life in an even more powerful way than
weight loss or giving up a bad habit.
It can also CHANGE SOMEONE ELSE’s Life too! It’s amazing how much more willing we are to
be kind; to be giving; to go the extra mile; to help others….when we feel
valued and appreciated. Others will treat us better when they know that we are
grateful for their efforts…..even when they are not perfect and their efforts
don’t quite meet our expectations.
Although I try each day to live a life of
gratitude and to recognize everything that happens as a gift, I often fall
short, especially when I’m weary, experience stress, get overwhelmed. Today…..I
am going to be extra focused on trying to be sure to express my gratitude….First,
to God, for the blessing of this new day; for the coffee that is helping to
wake me out of this state of weariness; for the big old cat on my lap who is
trying to interrupt my typing because he wants some loving; for the sound of
the furnace that is making it cozy; for the fuzzy slippers that are covering my
painful toes; for the vehicle in the driveway with a possible broken brake
line, but got me safely home last night; for each person that I will come in contact
with today….some that will bless, uplift, and inspire me…… and those that will
disappoint, frustrate, and confuse me.
In all things…pleasant and unpleasant….I am going to TRY (heck, I’m even
grateful that I don’t need to be PERFECT and that I can TRY again and again) to
find something to be grateful for.
TODAY…my goal….my priority….is
to express gratitude….to give someone else the gift of feeling appreciated…..to
say, “THANK YOU”…..but only if I sincerely mean it. There is nothing worse than
phoniness…ingenuine expressions of appreciation….empty words. Today…. I am going to make a conscious
effort to find ways to say, THANK YOU....to the stranger who holds the door
open for me; to the stranger that smiles at me as I pass him/her in the
hallway; for the clerk at the grocery story who tells me to have a good day; to
the driver that lets me switch lanes in the traffic; to the friends and/or
loved ones who show me love or kindness; for the student that comes to my door
seeking help instead of trying (and failing) to handle the situation alone……TO….FOR….. My best educated guess: If I approach this
day LOOKING FOR….Trying to recognize…..SEEKING OUT…ways/situations to be
grateful…..I will be overwhelmed with blessings, or at least I will become
aware of all the good things that happen around me that often go unnoticed in
the midst of chaos. Try it….you may be
pleasantly surprised how your attitude changes…..how your focus becomes outward…..how
suddenly you don’t need that candy bar or cigarette to make you feel good this
afternoon…..how suddenly, it’s not food that is feeds your emotions and makes
you feel happy, but rather your mindset.
I encourage you to join me……Look
for blessings and positives this day….and do what you can to MAKE it a good day….regardless
of what comes your way!
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