gratitude

Gratitude

Backstory

This Thanksgiving, our extended family has rented a big farmhouse on the river, so we can spend quality time together. Four couples and young folks just returned from foreign service. I was making notes for the prayer before dinner – thanks for health, family, love. But actually, our gratitude should include many more basic precious gifts.

Gratitude

There’s been a lot of talk lately, it seems, about gratitude. There are gratitude journals and gratitude blogs and gratitude books – including a few to teach you how to be grateful. One item I read said that gratitude is your Magic Wand.

“Whatever you point gratitude at increases, expands and escalates.” But, the author warns, “You have to pick up that magic wand and use it.”

Being grateful applies, no matter who you are, no matter where life has taken you, no matter what your circumstances or your desires.

Wherever you are at this moment, is where you are meant to be. And there are things for which you can and should be grateful.

It may be the lessons you are learning, if things are tight financially. It may be the good health of your children or your parents. It may be your ability to put food on the table and take a shower when you need one and drink fresh water that won’t make you sick.

The only error would be to stop giving thanks – to the people who bring your joy or the deity who gives you contentment and peace.

Take time every day to write in your gratitude journal, even if it’s just a mental one. Think of all the things for which you are thankful and then go do something for someone else, for which they will be thankful.

P.S.

That last task – doing something for which someone else will be thankful – That’s really a fun thing. People don’t expect an act of charity or kindness. They may be startled. Enjoy their response – and encourage them to pay it forward.

[Show #427]

Haves and Have Nots

Backstory

In these months of constantly present hidden threat, optimism tends to wane, along with thankfulness. Reflecting on our state reminded me of an earlier time, when Americans were left without jobs and without income. This story is about that time for my family and what we learned.

Haves and Have Nots

“Be thankful for what you have, not for what you don’t have.” I first heard that mantra back in the 70’s. Be thankful for what you have, not for what you don’t have.

At the time, we were living in our first house. It was a nice three-bedroom split level in a residential development. But somehow after a few years, the house seemed small. We needed more garage space, more bedrooms. I wanted bigger, better.

Then the recession hit. Security became very wobbly. The things I had assumed I deserved and would always be mine were being challenged. I might not have a job. My husband might not. Oh boy, how I wish I had those hundreds of dollars we spent on last year’s vacation.

Suddenly I looked around my beautiful, perfect, plentiful home and said, “Please God – Just let us keep up the payments. Let us keep this roof over the heads of our children.”

Well, we did survive. The whole country did. Things turned around and we did eventually move on. But I never forgot the lesson I learned then. It may help you too.

Be thankful for what you have, not for what you don’t have.

P.S.

While sheltering in place during the pandemic, we have been thankful for thoughtful outreach, small and large. A team of walkers have a favorite route through our community. We sometimes glimpse them at wave distance. One day as they jogged through, they left candy and hand-written notes of blessing on porches. Gestures like that, especially from strangers, really make a difference. They remind us of the joy, friendship and kindness waiting on the other side.

[Show #108]

When Christmas Is Sad

Backstory

On my sad Christmases, I would write. The keys on my computer would fly. It might be spilling all my sorrow, putting my anger into words, shouting out the injustice of my circumstance. Others shed tears to cope. Some go away, avoiding the setting of their last happy holiday. Others return to that special place. Some folks are lost, seeking a means to calm the hurt.

Click to listen or follow below to read.

Christmas Sad – #123

There are times when Christmas is sad. You may be missing a loved one, or you may be far away from home, on your own, or you may be the one left behind with your loved one serving of a battlefield halfway across the world. Sometimes it helps to remember not only this sad Christmas, but all of them, stacked up in a row from childhood until now.

Considering all of the holidays in our lifetime, some are bound to be better than others. But, ah, the good ones were really fine. Think about them and you’ll simply HAVE to smile as you remember words and actions, laughter and love.

Take out photos and relive those times, so warm and loving. No one can take those precious memories away. They may be the greatest gift we were given. Once a good thing happens, it can always be conjured up again in your mind. It can always make you smile as you remember, relive and enjoy it all over again.

So this Christmas, whether it’s one of your best or not, may you have the comfort of memories of Christmases past and may you smile and enjoy them all over again.

Wishing you a Christmas with a peaceful heart.

P.S.

It’s so easy to become sour when holiday plans go awry or you are sad. You want to blame someone or take it out on somebody. Instead, do something for someone else – or a lot of elses.

Take over someone’s job so they can be home with family on Christmas.
Serve at a soup kitchen – dressed up nicely for the holiday.
Sit with someone who is ill, so the caregiver can be with family.

As the holidays rush upon us, don’t become the Grinch who stole Christmas. Help bring peace on earth to your little corner of the world, no matter what.

[Show #123]

Peace Within

Backstory

This story was written at Christmastime – the holiday best known for giving – and receiving. I was thinking about how little I desire, to be content. I scripted this to wish the same for you.

Click to listen or follow below to read.

Peace Within – #508

I have a very special wish for you. I wish that there be peace within you today. May you feel calm and serene in your world. May you trust that you are exactly where you’re meant to be in this moment of time. Wish not for more or less. Leave the wishing for someone less fortunate than you.

Resurrect the memory of the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others. Use the gifts you have been given. Recognize those gifts for the treasure they are and pass on the love that has been given to you.

Remember that the gifts need not be huge. They can be small and fine and pleasure one person at a time. If you are using a gift that has been conferred on you, you are doing all that the universe could possibly expect of you. And God is pleased with you.

May you be content with yourself just the way you are. Let this knowledge of who you are settle into your very center. Allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.

What a wonderful day this can be as you follow your heart, use your gifts, and accept the opportunities you have to do something fine today and prepare for tomorrow.

P.S.

Even if this message finds you in turmoil today, take the moment to recognize the blessings in your life as well as the trials. If you can’t better your world today, add warmth and pleasure to another’s world. Help someone else to be content.

[Show #508]

Thanks For Doing Good

Backstory

This month we Americans will give thanks for all the privileges and opportunities we are offered in our beloved country. Most of us are smart enough to be grateful more than one day a year. Today’s story explores a different kind of gratitude for which we might offer thanks.

Click to listen or follow below to read.

Thanks for Doing Good – #489

The flowers you received were just beautiful and they lasted so long. Of course you wrote a personal note of thanks to the sender.

You are showered with birthday gifts. Of course each person will receive your thank you card or phone call or email.

Those thanks are tied to the receipt of something tangible, physical. How about thanking the people in your life for the greater gifts they give you – the gifts of their time, their talent, their energy. We often laud these people to others, conveying our respect and admiration for what they have done but we may forget to tell the person involved how much we appreciate what they have done or said or thought.

So why not call the friend who crocheted that special scarf for you last year. Let her know how much you appreciate it and how often you wear it. Call your mom or grandmother and tell her you have just been remembering happy memories from your childhood and wanted to share them anew with her. Call the new person who took over for you at the PTA gala, when you got the flu at the last minute. Send an email to the neighbor who shared her fruit or vegetables or her recipe.

Some people don’t hear nearly enough thanks, for the amount of good they do. They may not do it to get those words of appreciation, but they can’t help enjoying them, when they come along.

Oh, and by the way, thanks for all the things you do.

P.S.

Now that you’re thinking about those who have made a difference in your life, will you do something about it? Don’t wait and expect to remember. That person was important to you at a critical time of your life. Pick up the phone and tell them so.

[Show #489]

Gratitude

There’s been a lot of talk lately, it seems, about gratitude. There are gratitude journals and gratitude blogs and gratitude books – including a few to teach you how to be grateful.

One item I read said that gratitude is your Magic Wand. “Whatever you point gratitude at increases, expands and escalates.” But, the author warns, “You have to pick up that magic wand and use it.”

Being grateful applies, no matter who you are, no matter where life has taken you, no matter what your circumstances or your desires; wherever you are at this moment, is where you are meant to be.

And there are things for which you can and should be grateful. It may be the lessons you are learning, if things are tight financially. It may be the good health of your children or your parents. It may be your ability to put food on the table and take a shower when you need one and drink fresh water that won’t make you sick.

The only error would be to stop giving thanks – to the people who bring your joy or the Deity who gives you contentment and peace.

[Show #427]