Gratitude has become a way of life for me these days. I’m not saying it’s easy, but I find that my troubles drag me down a whole lot less when I am maintaining my gratitude attitude. I used to revisit old hurts a lot more (kind of like reopening a wound) and carried my pain right out front where everyone could see it. When I started working on my gratitude…I started to let go of old hurts, my mood swings were way less violent, and my anger levels dropped right off the charts. I am not saying I don’t get down now and then,-Lord knows life continues to happen-but I find it much easier to move forward, and much easier to learn from the bad and find the good in nearly every situation. It seems like such a simplistic way to look at life, and the actual practice of living in gratitude is not always easy, but I find that life in general is a whole lot more beautiful when I do live in gratitude. I SEE clearer, I love more deeply, and more and more good things are coming my way. All because of learning to be grateful.

Thanks Paul, for maintaining this site, For sending the quotes, for writing your blogs, for sharing your gratitude, and for being so kind. You have helped me to live better, and I KNOW I am not the only one.

At the moment, I am experiencing an issue with my niece, whom I love. She has shut down all communications between us because she believes that I “sided” with her soon-to-be ex-husband. If she had allowed me to reply, I would have explained that I am “siding” with my 3 year old great-nephew, not his Mom or Dad.

Initially, I was crushed about all this, not the least because I have not been able to see my great-nephew for 5 months (I used to see him twice a month). However, I realized (with the help of close friends) that my reaction was having toxic effects on me. And, whenever I experience toxic emotions, these have a way of affecting others around me as well.

At a retreat a couple of years ago, I participated in a simple yet powerful concluding exercise. About 60 of us were seated around the perimeter of a room, with the retreat leader in the middle. He tossed a large ball of yarn to someone, and asked the recipient to hold on to the yarn and toss the ball to someone else. The idea was to keep tossing until each of us was holding a piece of the yarn. When everyone held a piece of the yarn, the leader asked one of us to tug on their piece. Guess what? Every one of us felt that tug! Even though our connection may be very slight, we have an effect on the world around us.

Soooooo, I am in teh daily process of adopting a perspective of gratitude on this matter. I am grateful for my niece and her child, whether or not I am in contact with them. I meditate on this and ask my Higher Power’s help with this. And slowly, my attitude is changing. My sister (my niece’s Mom) mourned that her daughter may “cut off” the whole family. I replied “That may actually be very good for her.” and I meant what I said.

Interesting enough, there was a recent incident in which my niece actually communicated with me in a two sentence email. When I began to analyze why, a friend retorted “That is a Management (Higher Power) issue, and you do not qualify as Management.” Truer words were never spoken — and I was nudged back on my gratitude track.

Wishing you serenity,
Ginger

No plane on sunday
Maybe be one come monday
Just a hopeless situation
Make the best of it’s all you can do
’til they get through

And thank you by the way for giving the ingredients for that green juice. I am already thinking of what i might substitute for those you have listed, those that are just available here =D

2. I am grateful today for the good food, I am munching spring rolls…yum! =D

I am thankful for this blog that gives inspirations! More power. =D

I think in some ways I was more vigilant about practicing gratitude then but as I look back I think how blessed I was that I could be grateful during such a physically hard time,

@Esther – There is a fine line knowing when between throwing in the towel vs. starting over. Commitment is important and certain actions need to have follow through even when it is uncomfortable (it was comfortable falling all the time when we were learning to walk, but we stuck with it!). The key is to have the knowledge, the experience, and the wisdom to know when it is OK to yell, “Do Over!”. Thanks!

E

@Shannon – Gratitude just take a little bit of work. Keep at it!

@Donald – Absolutely! As Jim Rohn would say, “Don’t get through the day, get from the day!”

@Sue – I have *heard* it is best to do in the morning. But doing it throughout the day is better then *not* doing it! If it works for you, stick with it.

Be Well Everyone!

Okay I am game. I usually do this on and off during the day. I care for my husband, heart is bad. I have been doing a Kelly Minter (Ruth) study with Beth Moore online this summer and I am starting Jonah with the Bible Study Cafe for Woman today ( also worked on the Ruth study there). Could get more done in the early a.m. Thanks for the idea, and the blog. Doing online studies does make you accountable to someone. Thanks again.

Blessing,
Sue

I heard about a very similar practice from Brian Tracy. He terms it the Golden Hour, and suggests that you start your day with one hour of reading.

He says that “Reading is to the mind as excercise is for the body.” Start the day with time for yourself and your mind, and you will feel better throughout the day.

I did this myself for a week, and I quite enjoyed it. Only problem is that I am not flexible enough in the morning – so I had to get up 1 hour earlier than usual.

Here is a video where he talks about it (starts talking about golden hour at 03:30):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Pz03hNEVTE

Here is an article about it from his website:
http://www.briantracy.com/blog/business-success/the-golden-hour/

My solution is to send a handwritten note to him and his family. I will go to visit him as well. The art of snail mail communication is “old school” but the people I know love receiving “old school” mail.

Keep something to write on with you at all times. Leave handwritten notes of gratitude. It works.

Veronica

Thumbs up, and keep it going!

Cheers
Christian

Three months after I began my job (34 years ago), the person who hired me left. I wrote her a thank you and “have a good life” note when she left. I ran into her a couple weeks ago and she told me that she has kept my note all of these years and often re-reads it when she is having a difficult day. I was amazed. What a lesson the impact something can have. It is such an easy thing to do and I guarantee you it will improve your day as well as the person you are kind to.

Peace,

E

Be Well.

Be Well.

I picked up on your blog about being grateful, and thought you might appreciate this quote.

I am a new author of a book titled: When I Am Grateful
It’s a gift book that outlines the ‘stuff’ that can happen to us everyday and then reminds
the reader how we can be grateful, even in the most challenging times.

You can view a book video on my site which gives you more insights.
Go to: wheniamgrateful.com

Have a Grateful Day!

Great quote and story today. Since I am STILL trying to quit smoking it really drives the point home. Hope all is well with you. Once I quit smoking I’m coming back to the group

I like your blog, and it has given me alot to think about. Can’t check in every day because the kids keep me so busy. But sometimes I feel lonely or discouraged, and wonder if anyone else cares about gratitude and the deeper things of life. After praying (I always do this first), I try to read things that encourage – like your blog! It’s a comfort to know you are out there feeling grateful Paul and spreading the feeling! Thank you.