This weekend I went with my senior son on a backpacking trip in the Grand Canyon for three days. It was a wonderful to spend some quality time together, and to create an experience with him that we will both always remember. I was grateful that the death of my husband gave me that opportunity. Sometimes it is hard to be grateful when we are in difficult or trying circumstances. I very easily could have used my son’s graduation as a time for me to look for all of the things that we don’t have because dad is gone. I can’t say that those thoughts have not entered my mind, but I know that when thoughts enter I have a choice to discard them or to dwell on them. I can choose to replace my “why me?” thoughts with thoughts of gratitude. I don’t have to be thankful for everything that is wrong, but I can choose to have an attitude of gratitude despite my circumstances. I can look for things to be grateful for. Being grateful can help us individually to find happiness and joy when it seems … [Read more...]
5 Ways To Be Thankful Every Day
Gratitude comes in many forms throughout the year. People are most thankful for their families, friends, having a roof over their heads, their health, their jobs and so forth on Thanksgiving Day. As people know, there are many more things to be thankful for and it's the little things that people overlook. Here are five ways to express gratitude every day of the year. Say Thank You Often Did you thank the barista even though she made a mistake on your order at Starbucks today? Did you thank your children for cleaning up their rooms without being told? Did you thank your spouse for helping the kids with their homework, feeding and bathing the younger ones when you had a project deadline for a client? These are examples of how we may forget to say thank you for the things we expect people to do because it's their job or it's a part of their joint responsibility. Write Thank You Notes Thank you notes go a long way and they are great keepsakes. The note doesn't have to be elaborate. A … [Read more...]
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