365 days of gratitude–just 5 blessings a day, creatively written or neatly listed. Start now, and by December 31 2012, you’ll have acknowledged 1,740 to feel abundantly grateful for the life you live.
Neatly listed…hm.
Gratitude for today, Day 17
1. The Tree-house.
2. Fresh flowers in January.
3. “Where the Sidewalk Ends”, By Shel Silverstein.
4. My favorite mug, filled with hot tea and honey.
5. The hearts and doors that Love open.
*
No matter how big or seemingly small, count your blessings.
I’ve taken it, I’ve left it, I’ve asked for it, and I’ve avoided it; and it seems as if everywhere I go, there it is--the well intended (and sometimes not so well intended) “Good Advice”.
Gratitude for Today, Day 16
The best advice I’ve ever been gifted.
1. “Pay Attention.” ~Vivian Komori, Athena Award Winner,Producer, Radio Host, International Speaker and Visionary.
2. “Write what you know.” ~Stephen Hobbs, Best-Selling Author, Evolutionary Business Council Founding Member, World Leader,Visionary, Speaker and Humanitarian.
3. “Your only “job” in this life is to be your Self, and you came perfectly prepared to do just that–be exactly You.” ~Rev. Dr. Sharron Stroud, Innerfaith Spiritual Center Worldwide, Palm Springs Ca., Athena Award Winner, Humanitarian, and Globally Recognized New Thought Leader.
4. “To thine own self be true.” ~ Nana
(I miss you, Nana..)
5.. “Count your blessings.” ~ Dad.
What words have you been blessed by? Which phrase, reminder or snippet of truth resides permanently within your heart space?
Advice is a gift–take it, leave it, or laugh at it…
But always be grateful for it.
Day 14~ Dinner is at 10 pm.
I had dinner with a group of girlfriends on Saturday night at a restraunt (sort of) in West Hollywood. None of us really understood what we were in for (or did they?), and the night was one to remember. Forever.
What makes it so memorable? Well, of course the laughter, the memories, the photos, and a video that better never leave a certain someones flip camera (Warning: Disco balls are bigger and heavier than they appear), but also the lessons learned, the insights shared, and the acceptance of what what is, and of who we are as women and Sisters. True friendship is radically authentic and rich with lessons. (Er, I mean, blessings.)
Gratitude for today, Day 14
1. For comfortable shoes, and double trouble. In West Hollywood, there is limited parking other than by permit, so we parked WAY south of the…restaurant. I was grateful for the time spent catching up in the car ride together, and for the pre-party laughter on our walk from San Diego to West Hollywood.
(Ok, it wasnt that far, but still..)
2. For the LAST TABLE AVAILABLE for the night–apparently, someone didn’t make their reservation, and it was Reservation Only.
If we had not been gifted the last table, I never would have had that chololate molten lava cake with ice cream and hot fudge–man that was good.
And I would never have taken that great photo of Catherine with Marilyn Monroe.
(Or whoever that was.)
3. For friends who fly in from other places and remind you of how much you love where you live. Being a Southern California resident has it’s disadvantages, most places do, but also like most other places, there are huge advantages, and it’s easy to forget how blessed we are until a fresh perspective shows up with the reminder.
I’m also grateful to understand that we take our personal culture with us–what we give out is what we attract.
4. For the opportunity to feel ABUNDANT gratitude for the female relationships I have in my life–women I’ll be playing cards with over Bloody Mary’s when we’re 85..
5. For my 5 best Sister-Friends in life. I can count them on one hand, and call them at any hour. I’m blessed beyond measure to be loved by some of the most astounding women on the planet.
Even if I do snort when I laugh, eat dessert first, and have our retirements planned out for us all…
Gratitude for Today, Day 15
1. For “Free Days”. Sunday is traditionally my “Free Day” (thank you Jack Canfield), and a day I reserve for reflection, connection and family.
2. For how much there still is yet to learn.
3. For antique linens in a box at the back of the garage–they still smell like Nana’s house.
4. For bedtime stories…I wonder how long I went on before he fell asleep.
5. For the things kids say.
Just before I tucked him in and opened the book, he said, “Mommy, can you pull my tooth out?”
“No, it’s not ready yet”, I said.
And he said, “Well, it may not be ready, but I am!”
Ultimately, I convinced him to wait a day or two (or five), but I love his fearless gusto.
What are you grateful for today?
Write it down, make a list, send a thank you note, log the gifts in a daily gratitude journal–invite Joy into your life. Joy is in fact, your birthright.
Happy Weekend! Our movie is about to start, so here are my random fun five…
Blessings for Today, Day 13
I suppose I could’ve said something, but she was just so cute-when she was finished, she saved some snails off the sidewalk, and rode away, clearly fulfilled.I read this question today:
“If making YOU required a recipe, what would the ingredients be?”
In other words, what are you made of?
Take 5…
Blessings for today, Day 12
1. For Heart-Shaped sandwiches with a Sister—too perfect!
(And too funny that the guy serving Heart-Shaped sandwiches was a grump—how do you be a grump and serve Heart-Shaped sandwiches, simultaneously?)
I bet he’s one of those people who can frown while skipping…there are only a handful of folks worldwide who can frown while skipping.
2. For my Littlest Sprout-Guy. I woke up this morning to his little hand petting my hair. “Mommy”, he whispered, “I wasn’t finished being with you yesterday.”
He almost stayed home from school for that one…so, so close.
3. For Samantha Channels, 5 time Melanoma Survivor, Mama, and Founder of Gotsunblock.com. Her call to action and awareness has saved many, many lives…and I’m grateful for those who hold her in their prayers right now.
4. For the JOY of setting, and honoring, my own boundaries.
5. For a day of comfort, Love, acceptance, friendship, camaraderie, Joy and surprises…
I could do this day all over again!
What are you grateful for today?
(I wish you blessings…and heart-shaped sandwiches.)
I got flowers today! And it felt magnificent…
He came right up behind me and said, “close your eyes–and no peaking.” There was silence for a minute, as I felt him come around the front of me. “You can open your eyes now“, he said with a smile in his voice and an even bigger smile on his face. Oh my Gosh, I love him…I love my Sprout-Guy.
Blessings for today, Day 11
1. For 7 year old Man-Sprouts and every other child, who picks flowers for someone they love. Whether it’s a tiny pink flower or a bushel of dandelions dripping with roots, it feels magnificent to receive flowers from a child, who’s only agenda is to see you smile.
2. For dessert~I don’t always eat dessert, but when I do, I eat that first–just to make sure I’ve got room. And now that I’m a grown-up in my 30’s, no one can tell me “no”.
3. For Elli, Lola, Marilyn, Jamie, C.B. Wentworth and other friends who share their blessings with me daily. (I am grateful for your inspiration.)
4. For shared enthusiasm! I spoke with a school principal today who is absolutely in love with what she does, and with the children she serves. I look so forward to meeting her face to face, and spending the day with her and her students and staff in February when I read “What Love Is A-Z” to the Sprout-People. (I love my “job”.)
5. For the honor of being invited to serve and participate as a Featured Author for the AEF Authors Festival…it’s a privilege, and I am so, so grateful.
Tell me, pretty please–what are you grateful for today?
(OK, even if you don’t tell me, count your blessings anyway–you’ll be glad you did.)
Gratitude is the key to a shift in perspective, and perspective is everything. Even if you only have a few moments a day, count your blessings.
Gratitude for today, Day 10
We found a heart shaped rock on our walk home from school today, a hummingbird visited my kitchen window and peered in at me as I did the dishes, and we found a parking spot right in front at the Pet Store. My friend invited me out for a girls night next week, while another friend reached out warmly to offer support on a delicate personal matter. I have spectacular friends, a colorful family, and fish named Sally.
My home is sound, warm and comfortable, there’s a Sprout-Guy snoring next to me on the sofa and a terrier at my feet. The candle that burns is filling the room with the scent of cinnamon, and I hear my tea kettle starting to simmer in the kitchen…
Count your blessings. Count them even if you only have a few minutes a day to count them.
Shift your focus to the sweetest moments of your today, and if the day was a tough one, then get even more present, and step into your right now.
What are you grateful for right now?
Open your heart wide up and give thanks — and watch the blessings bloom.
*Looking for more ways to shift your perspective and invite JOY into your life? “How to Shift Your Perspective in 30 Days” .
I wish you more blessings than you can count.
I met a baby today named Sarah. She was tiny, and precious, and dressed in white jammies with pink hearts, and had the most perfect little face and fuzzy ‘hair-do’…
Sarah was 3 months old, and weighed just 7 lbs; she also had Downs Syndrome, and a hole in her heart.
Sarahs mother told me, joyfully, with a smile on her face, “Sarah is a miracle–she’s is the one who introduced me to God.”
(Sometimes, messengers come disguised as babies in white jammies with pink hearts all over…I love that.)
Blessings for Today ~ Day 9
1. For Babies. I simply adore them. Tiny hands, toothless grins, fuzzy hair-do’s…babies are such blessings.
2. For Frozen Yogurt–YUM! Raspberry and Chocolate, side-by-side.
(Ever since I watched that little girl sneeze, TWICE, into the self-serve topping bar, I’ve opted for plain yogurt. I should actually be grateful that she did that–she’s saved me scores of calories!)
3. For Martinellis Sparkling Apple Cider out of wine glasses, pizza on Fine China, and self created reasons to celebrate.
4. For Answers– and for the divine order in which they reveal themselves.
5. For Miracles, and Messengers.
What are you grateful for today? Who touched your life, moved your soul, lit your fire, etched your memory, inspired your spirit, reminded your heart?
Count your blessings~they’re everywhere.
If you started with me 7 days ago, then you’ve got 35 Self Inspired reasons to celebrate your life today ~ And do you notice yourself seeking out the blessings? Do already feel a shift in your perspective? Do you find you’re more in tune to the good in your life?
I’ve been journaling since I was a child (I still remember my mother buying me my first diary at drugstore called Sprouse Ritz on Ocean Ave, in Laguna when I was about 7 or 8 years old. It had a small lock, 2 golden keys, and Holly Hobby on the front). As an adult, my diary grew into a Gratitude Journal; I know firsthand the power of our own thoughts, words and attention. We really do write our own story—some cards are dealt to us (that’s life) but most of it, we choose, and whether it’s dealt, or chosen, the lens you see it through, is up to you.
And if you’re just joining in, then welcome! You’re right on time.
What are you grateful for today?
~
Blessings for Today, Day 7
1. Saturdays. I love Saturdays.
2. The things that kids say:
7 yr old Sprout- “Mom, I need to sell some of my toys.”
Me- “Why would you want to sell some of your toys”
7 yr old Sprout- “Well, some are for babies, and besides, I could use the money.”
Me- “What do you need money for?”
7 yr old Sprout- “I’m saving for a vacation. You can come with me if you want to.”
I’m still unsure where we’re headed.
3. Shirley Temples with extra cherries
4. The cat next door. (I miss my cat—I’m so grateful that the fur-guy next door is such a love, with his one eye, and his crooked tail—he had me at “Meow”.)
5. Hot-rollers. Today was my second attempt. I couldn’t go out anywhere afterwards, but I think I’m getting better at it, and practice makes perfect.
Thank God.
~
Tell me, tell me…what are you grateful for today?
thegratitudegarden 