Do-Over...

Feeling out of sorts today. I didn't eat very well, I didn't do any of my usual routines and I got into bed late. But I'm not going to worry too much about it because tomorrow is another day and I can just start over ~ I'm grateful for my do-over!

Cup of Tea...

 

I've never been a coffee drinker, but I do love the smell of all the yummy flavors they make. Tea is my comfort place. It offers comfort over and over again in my life and I'm always grateful for that warm embrace it brings.

Men...

Growing up there weren't a lot of positive men in my life and then when I married my former husband he introduced me to one awesome man, his name was Father Eugene McCreesh. He was a Jesuit priest and just a very compassionate man. He uses to go to the beach with us every year and came up to the house on every occasion. My middle son was named after him. I was missing him a lot today, missing his quiet words, his big bear hugs, and his loving presence. But I am forever grateful that I have such kind and wonderful memories to remember!

Impacted...

"One person that has impacted my life greatly and how."

When I've had this question asked before part of me wishes I had that "one" awesome person who had such an impact on my life, but as I come upon this question again, I found myself thinking, "who is it, there has got to be someone. I would sound better if I had this one special someone, and I would have this feeling of feeling SO grateful and wiser for having known them." But I can't! Each person that has ever touched my life for however brief or long has impacted me in some way. And when I'm looking at life through a lens of gratitude, I am thankful for each and everyone, for they have all left their imprint and impact on my life.

This is a cooperative blog post a friend and I are participating in together - here is her post...

http://gentlegull.blogspot.com/

Phones...

Today I am grateful for cell phones. I am not a real tech savvy person and most of the things the phones do I have NO idea how to use them or am really not interested in them. But I have found texting to be a wonderful way to keep in touch from across the miles. It seems most of the people in my life that I hold dear, are scattered about and just being able to text and say "hi" or chat a little, right now in my life seems priceless. I tend to isolate myself and without the quick easy way to keep people close in my life I would be very alone and lost. I am grateful!!!

Silver Lining...

"Reflect on a time when your pain or perceived problem turned out to be the beginning of a whole new possibility for yourself, perhaps even a blessing in disguise."

My father decided when I was 15 after a horrible fight with my mother that he no longer wanted to participate in our ( my sister and I) lives. He left and went off to marry another lady who had two daughters just like he left behind. He came back once but my mother told him if he wasn't going to pay child support he should leave and he did. I did not see him again until I was married and a mother but that visit didn't go well. We parted ways never to speak again until his death. 

I distinctly remember the day I realized my father leaving was a silver lining in my life. I was driving down to Charlotte, I was about 30 years old then ( I'm 54 now) and the light bulb moment hit me. He was an active alcoholic and had he stayed, things could have been SO much worse. So many of those abandonment issues drifted away that day. I still am grateful today that it happened that way it did. And right before he died I was given one last chance to mend a broken connection. His family called me and he was not able to speak at this point, but they said he wanted to "talk to me." I of course talked, since he could not and I let him know it was all okay and that I loved him very much. He died after they hung up the phone. His unfinished business on this earth was done. 

My father not being in my life ( as crazy as it was without him) I'm not sure I could have handled the situation with him the way he was. I felt my spirit was spared a lot of things I will never know the full extent of. Today I only feel forgiveness and love for my father. He did the best he knew how with what he had. So what seemed like abandonment from my father now only feels like love.

A friend's perspective on her silver lining... http://gentlegull.blogspot.com/2014/08/seeing-silver-lining.html

Surprise...

Well... mother nature sure "surprised" me with a beautiful beautiful day. I opened all my windows and drank in all the coolness that was offered. It's July and a day like this is not something I ever expected but I am so grateful and full of JOY! Thank you mother nature for my surprise ~

Five Words...

Clouds, rain, hazy, shade and breeze are all words that take on a whole new meaning when most of the work you do is outside and your car has no air condition. This five words are now ones I view with a new perspective. I've always enjoyed the clouds and shade on a hot summer day but right now, they can be the life saver in a week or a day. Today was one of those days, and I didn't notice until I got home what a difference the clouds/rain made. I had a little more energy and actually felt like doing more when I got home instead of sitting down for a couple of hours just to generate enough energy to make dinner. It's the little things ~ I am grateful!!!

Friday...

Usually by the time Friday rolls around, I'm dragging and my mind starts grumbling instead of appreciating. So this Friday I decided to make a list of things I am grateful for ~

I can walk

See ~ the bunny in my yard

Hear ~ the owls hooting and the birds singing

Smell ~ the herbs I'm growing

Taste ~ the healthy food I prepare

Hug my children

Listen ~ to those that need to speak

Enjoy a cup of tea

Sit quietly

Pet my cats

Drive my car

Spend money

Remember my family and friends

Share my words on my blog

Read a good book

Speak kind and loving words

Stay cool on a warm summer day in my home

Plenty of food to eat

Water to drink

And SO much more...

I am grateful!

Brick and Mortar...

I'm so grateful today for Mother Nature and all her beauty. As I was driving around town, from one place to the next, surrounded by roads, cars, and buildings, all I could think of was how I just wanted to walk among the trees and breath! Breath in all the oxygen, hug a tree, dance in the leaves, smell the fragrance of the cool damp woods, and just be in that space. I'm grateful that I have a backyard that provides a small taste of all that and I can recharge and connect when needed.

Money...

As I'm allowing more "flow" in my life, I am challenged by having to spend a very large amount to fix my brakes that I didn't have. But I am trying not to freak out and am grateful that I had a credit card to put it on. I've been working on reprograming my thoughts concerning money and to allow it to flow freely in and out. Out is a lot harder to allow but it had to be done, so I can not resist and accept what is or I can panic, and I don't want to do that anymore ( or at least not as much). I did also think that whatever financial obstacle that I have, at least I'm in charge. Years ago in my marriage money was such an "out of my control thing" that I am grateful that I know where ever penny is spent and what values I choose to spend it on.

None...

"What you think of me is none of my business."

I was reminded of this quote yesterday and it was perfect for what I was feeling. I use to say this a lot to myself but it slipped from my memory, so I was grateful it was given to me just when I needed it.

Bravery...

I'm grateful today to be available and present for my daughter as she achieves another mile stone in her life. She has had obstacles as we all do to work through, and her bravery is inspiring. You GO GIRL!!!

Sun...

It's the simple things in life, like the sun shining that I'm grateful for today. It sits up there is the sky providing so much warmth and light without me taking notice sometimes. Thank you SUN for all you do for me!

Thaws...

As the snow drips, the world thaws out and comes back alive. I love when we're all snowed in and the days are frozen. The noise of everyday is silenced and we're left only hearing mother nature and our own heart beat. I'm grateful for the few days we had, when time seemed to stand still, but life is not meant to be stagnate. I would not want to be frozen in this moment forever. But it was a nice change of pace.

Genuine...

" A friend who understands your tears is much more valuable than a lot of friends who only know your smile."

My life is rich when it comes to my friends. I have acquired an awesome group that continue to keep me surrounded in the good times and bad. They cheer me on and hold me up. Though them I know what a genuine friend is and the value that plays in my life ~ it's a priceless gift, and I am SO GRATEFUL today and everyday.

Credit Card...

I'm so grateful for my credit card. I feel funny even saying that because so many people in this country are in credit card debit. I was one of those, many moons ago in a relationship that was anything but healthy and money was abused and misused. I've always loved money and I cherish the ability to have  it in my life and I take good care using it. So when I got my own credit card after the relationship was over, it has come in handy for so many things. I always pay it off and I don't use it for things I know I'm not going to be able to pay off the next month. But I like it's presence in my life to use in an emergency whether it's a minor one or major ~ I'm thankful!

Teenagers...

I've had a few teenagers in my life the last couple of years ( not my own) and they all seem to crave an adult who is present and available. I don't know the full story of each child, but I do know what I see. I think sometimes as a society we think just because are kids are teens that they don't need us as much, and while this is true in one sense, I believe in a different way they need us just as much as ever! I'm SO grateful that I have been able to be available and present to my children and though that can't solve all their problems, I do know it makes a difference.

Details...

Woke up overwhelmed this morning with thoughts about so many things going on in my life right now. When the scope of everything looks to large it's time to narrow it down and concentrate on the little things. That is where I am grateful and can see the beauty. Today "all is well" and I'm holding on to all that's good in the fine details of my life!

Simply Grateful...

Oh... I'm feeling SO much better today then the last couple of days and when I woke this morning I couldn't help but feel ~ simply ~ GRATEFUL!