Gratitude

Spring

Backstory

This message was written by Elizabeth Cottrell on her blog at https://www.heartspoken.com/ –

“What a gift spring is!” Thus begins Annette Petrick in one of her wonderful “Consider This” radio spots. She zeroed in on what is most precious and powerful about the season of Spring: it is a time for awakening, for new growth, for renewal.

“Springs seems to be God’s way of assuring us that we can all start over,” she suggests. And my heart whispers, “Yes!” Yes, to all the possibilities of new ideas to explore, new connections to make, new lives to touch.

Spring Bursting Out

What a gift spring is—Mother Nature at her most generous.

We drove up to Virginia from Florida in late March. While buds were very visible and trees were starting to leaf up in Florida and Georgia, by the time we got through the Carolinas to the Southern Virginia line, spring was nowhere to be found.

Trees had naked stick arms protruding from their trunks. The grass was still dry and golden. Daffodils still hid among their leaves, barely teasing a promise of flowering.

Yet I knew that in just a few days or weeks, Spring would burst forth in all its glory. The wait is tantalizing. I looked around the barren landscape and could imagine . . . pastel colors everywhere . . . cherry blossoms . . . yellow daffodils . . . tulips of every hue.

Spring seems to be God’s way of assuring us that we can all start over. Nature is not the only thing being renewed. We each get a chance to do it all again. Whatever you want to change, Spring is a great time to get started. Of course, right now, today, is a great time too.

Mother nature will probably get it right as she guides Spring through its steps. Maybe this time, we can get it right too. Whadayathink? Do we stand a chance?

P.S. Winter’s sad pandemic statistics wore us out. So many were lost or damaged, deprived of the wonder unfolding now in springtime. In their honor, let’s pledge new waves of kindness, compliments, caring and gratitude, this Spring and beyond.

[Show #474]

I Bought Gifts

Backstory

This story first aired in 2014. It brought more comments than any previous story. It was featured again in 2017 and again brought a storm of response. Seems I was not the only one with this experience. Feel free to write your comments, after listening to what happened when I gave gifts to the children.

I Bought Gifts

I bought gifts for some children who were coming to visit. The kids were 5 years old, 8 and 13. The gifts totally bombed out. The kids were disappointed with them.

I had so enjoyed picking them out and making sure they were age-appropriate. And they were rejected with hardly a parent-induced, murmured “thanks.”

Who went wrong? Them or me?

Was it too much to expect a polite response from kids this age, even if they were not thrilled with the gift? Or am I placing MY expectations on THEM?

I can remember receiving presents as a kid; some bummers and some keepers. I hope I was gracious in my acceptance of both kinds. But was I?

And if I gushed over some out-of-style or mundane gift, was I being hypocritical? Was it more honest to show without a doubt that the gift was unwelcome?

Do the parents have a responsibility to instill in their kids the social concepts of civility and appreciation? Or do I just shrug, chalk it up to my bad and give the kids money next time, so they can go and buy something they’d like.

One thing for sure; I won’t be choosing any more gifts for these kids. Not because I’m mad at them, just because I am now assured that I have no concept of their preferences and desires.

Too bad. I really enjoyed shopping for those gifts.

P.S. Consider This Radio Show is now featured in Grand Magazine. Click here to subscribe. It’s my gift to you!

[Show #528]

Got What You Sought?

Backstory

We’ve been challenged, in the last two years, to live life differently. So many events and activities have been set aside, canceled, or reorganized. Concentrating on our immediate past can conjure up disappointment. And yet over time, you have surely scored, achieved, found love, and known joy. As we enter 2022, let’s consider dreams that have come true.

Got What You Sought?

Have you got what you sought? It’s a matter of deciding whether your dreams have come true.

Sometimes, we wish for something for so long that when we get it, we forget to appreciate it and celebrate it. And of course, our dreams change over time. So – Have you got what you sought?

What’s really, really important to a teenager can become embarrassingly minor when you grow up.

Sometimes it takes adversity for us to appreciate what we have. I remember the first house we bought back in the 1970s. After a year or so, I was wishing for a larger place with more amenities. I got really perturbed at the little house we were living in.

Then bad times came along and it became questionable whether we could afford our monthly mortgage. Suddenly, our little house was a mansion – perfect in every way. Just please God let us be able to keep this roof over our heads.

A good way to put it into perspective is to realize that what you have, someone else is praying for. It could be that roof covering your head, or the clean water that comes out of the faucet when you turn it on, or the fact that no armed enemy will come crashing through your door while you are sleeping tonight.

We have so much and are so blessed. Never stop giving thanks and being grateful.

P.S. As I thought about my own dreams that have come true, it occurred to me how long it has been since my prayers had asked for anything. I remembered youthful, frantic prayer requests. Over time, they stopped. When had that changed? Perhaps when life proved that unanswered prayers can have the biggest blessing of all.

[Show #457]

Spring

Backstory

All through March, we were on standby for traces of that precious season-turn. Winter’s sad statistics wore us out. So many were deprived of the wonder unfolding now. In their honor, let’s cherish this Spring as never before.

Spring

What a gift spring is. Mother Nature at her most generous.

Trees had naked stick arms protruding from their trunks. Grass was still dry and golden. Daffodils still hid among their leaves, barely teasing a promise of flowering.

Yet I knew that in just a few days or weeks, Spring would burst forth in all its glory. The wait is tantalizing. I looked around the barren landscape and could imagine…pastel colors everywhere…cherry blossoms…yellow daffodils…tulips of every hue.

Mother Nature will probably get it right as she guides Spring through its steps. Maybe this time, we can get it right too. Whadayathink? Do we stand a chance?

P.S.

In memory of friends, family and loved ones who did not survive the pandemic, let’s pledge new waves of kindness, compliments, caring and gratitude this Spring and beyond.

[Show #474]

Acknowledge Inspiration

Backstory

The day started off badly. The weather was awful. People arrived at the lecture site cold and wet and cranky. No one expected the result to be the inspiration that was created.

Acknowledge Inspiration

Recently I mentioned talking with folks at Bayse Library on Bridges to Life Planning. The session was very participative and toward the very end one woman had a confession to make.

She told us she almost hadn’t come out that morning. It was a dank and dreary day; like her life at that point, she told us. She was having a hard time. She said, “I really think it was divine inspiration that brought me here today. After hearing what you all had to say, I know I can make it.” We all saw her countenance change right before us.

That lady was indeed determined to make a go of it, and it was like she got the incentive from the energy in that room. Wow, what a gift she gave to us all! To let us know that our thoughts and ideas made an impact that one person’s life might now be better because we had gathered to share.

She gave us another lesson too. When someone inspires you, let them know. Say out loud what you’re feeling in your heart. There can be no greater gift than the compliment that is spoken not just thought.

Bless the giver and the receiver both, as that woman did on a rainy Saturday morning in Bayse, Virginia.

P.S.

As a young wife and mother, I was frequently inspired by Millie. She was the epitome of a gracious hostess, understanding mother, dedicated wife and loyal friend. I wanted to be just like her.

Half a century later, Millie receives frequent notes from me. She has forgotten who I am, but my notes are always full of my admiration and appreciation. Her daughter said Millie’s eyes light up when she hears from “that nice lady out there” who thinks she is pretty special.

[Show #15]

Give a Bit More

Backstory

My sister was behind two women in a McDonald line. They were fumbling with their change to pay. She stepped up, paid for their food and added a few more meals besides. How did she know they were needy? Why did she step up, even though her own needs were many?

Give a Bit More – #12

Have you ever been tagged by someone who is paying forward? A stranger may pickup the tab for your lunch, or your coffee, or pay your toll on the highway. It’s a nice gesture that can make someone’s day and can cost no more than a few cents or a few dollars.

To the person on the other end, those dollars may mean far more than they do in your pocket. For those of us who are holding our own in this economy, now is the time to give a little more than usual.

Make your tips more generous in restaurants, give a few bucks to the guys at the car wash, or the happy dollars jar at the Rotary Club meeting. Buy some extra groceries next time you’re food shopping and drop them off at a local food bank.

Haven’t worn it for two years? Donate it to the local thrift shop. Buy $4.25 worth of stuff at a yard sale, give them a five and tell them to keep the change.

You’re paying forward for the blessings about to come into your life as well as those you already enjoyed, for the beautiful day, for the love around you, for the peace we have all enjoyed for so long.

Give a little and get a lot in return. Something to consider!

P.S.

It’s a new year. Set new, higher standards for generosity and philanthropy. And if money is tight, consider giving something even more important – your time.

[Show #12]