Live Gratitude

To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant,
to enact gratitude is generous and noble,
but to live gratitude is to touch Heaven [Johannes A. Gaertner].

Beyond the occasional thank-you note you manage to get in the mail, or the quick, “Thanks!” you utter, are you truly living a life of gratitude?

Running around. Living our lives at an exhausting pace.

Too hectic. Too much. Too little time.

We’re so busy looking for that and building this and trying to squeeze ourselves into the next 60 minutes.

It’s no wonder we scarcely notice the kindness from a stranger, acknowledge the generosity of a friend, or remember the thoughtfulness of a family member as we rush to and fro, trying to meet expectations and deadlines and self-imposed ideals.

Our lives are so busy we need a reminder to be thankful. We have to schedule our gratitude. Fortunately, we have a day set aside just for this purpose. An exit ramp, if you will, from the rat race to a thankful place.

A mandated respite to cherish kindness, honor sacrifices, recall our blessings.

After the traveling and meal preparations and dinner table discussions. When the dishes are cleared away and the left-overs are put away. Let’s not forget that tomorrow is really about pausing to remember, reflect, and reach out.

It’s our opportunity to acknowledge the kindness and generosity, the courage and sacrifice of others. To sincerely appreciate our blessings.

But we need not wait for one day on the calendar to be grateful. We should strive to live a life marked by thanksgiving.

Make it a habit to tell people thank you.

To express your appreciation
sincerely and without the expectation of anything in return.

Truly appreciate those around you,
and you’ll soon find many others around you.

Truly appreciate life,
and you’ll find you have more of it.

~ Ralph Marston

Commit to living a life of gratitude every day. “Take nothing for granted. Train yourself never to put off the word or action for the expression of gratitude” [Albert Schweitzer].

Whatever you are, be a good one!

Deanna

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What You Have In Your Heart

It isn’t what you have in your pocket that makes you thankful,
but what you have in your heart” [unknown].

When I hear the phrase, “Making a List” I generally think of Christmas and Santa Claus and good boys and girls and presents and grocery shopping. Thanksgiving doesn’t necessarily spring to mind.

What if we changed things up this year? What if we made lists of those things for which we are thankful, instead of those things we must accomplish or purchase or plan for or fix?

My friend, Melanie, recently posted a challenge on Facebook, “Let’s see how many people can do this. Every day this month until Thanksgiving, think of one thing that you are thankful for, and post it as your status. “Today I am thankful for . . . “ I think Melanie has a great idea!

Right now. This very minute. Stop and think about something for which you are thankful.

You will find the power of gratitude is amazing.  It transforms attitudes and reduces negativity. “It is hard to be negative about your situation when you are thinking about things for which you are grateful.  One of the fastest ways to improve your mood or outlook is to count your blessings” [Kevin Eikenberry].

An attitude of gratitude has the power to transform your world.  “Gratitude is something of which none of us can give too much. For on the smiles, the thanks we give, our little gestures of appreciation, our neighbors build their philosophy of life” [A. J. Cronin].

Pause and remember.
Make a gratitude list.
Recall the kindness.
Write down the blessing.
Say, “Thank you.”
Be grateful.

Whatever you are, be a good one,

Deanna

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Thousands of Others

There is no such thing as a “self-made” man. We are made up of thousands of others.

Everyone who has ever done a kind deed for us, or spoken one word of encouragement to us, has entered into the make-up of our character and of our thoughts, as well as our success” [George Burton Adams].

In a few short weeks, Thanksgiving will be upon us and everyone will be thinking about those things and people and good fortune for which they are thankful.  It is truly one of my favorite holidays.

A day set aside to give thanks — how incredibly awesome!

I hope you don’t wait for one day a year to roll around before showing appreciation for the thousands of people who have made your life possible.

When was the last time you stopped your busy schedule for a few minutes to write a note, send an email or make a phone call to simply say, “Thank you for what you’ve done for me.”?

Maybe there was a Sunday School teacher who showed you kindness years ago, or a neighbor who helps you out in a pinch. Perhaps a teacher who encouraged you to stretch your boundaries or a coach who believed the best.

An employer, family member, acquaintance who opened a door, made an introduction, provided support or pulled you through?

What about the friends who cheer for you today?  Those who listen to your fears, talk you through the confusion, and help you find the right path?

Your life is a colorful, tightly woven extravaganza of experiences and relationships and knowledge.  Celebrate your uniqueness. Honor and show gratitude to  those who have helped  — and continue to help — you through this crazy amusement park we call life.

Don’t wait for one day a year to be grateful.  Adopt an attitude of gratitude and it will change your life!

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.

It turns what we have into enough, and more.

It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order,
confusion into clarity . . .

It turns problems into gifts, failures into success,
the unexpected into perfect timing,
mistakes into important events.

Gratitude makes sense of our past,
brings peace for today,
and creates a vision for tomorrow.”
Melody Beattie

To the “thousands of others” who have spoken into my life, made the trip bearable, and the destinations exciting, I am so very grateful!  I couldn’t have done it without you.

Whatever you are, be a good one,

Deanna

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