Tag Archives: Gratitude

Unexpected Lesson

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I woke up in a grumpy mood this morning. Freckles and Sugar decided to start barking much too early.
Saturday morning, no where to be, no plans…and they start barking.
After Tina and the girls headed out to get mani-pedis I decided to lay down and try to sneak in a quick nap before going for a bike ride.
Just as I started to doze off my phone rang. I looked, it was a client. I rolled back over. Within minutes my phone rang again…same client. I decided to answer, though I was not happy about it.
When I answered it wasn’t my client, it was her brother. He told me his sister died.
I sat there stunned. I kept thinking about my interactions with this young lady. I thought about her family. I thought about the hole she would leave.
Then I realized how ridiculous I had been earlier. I was grumpy…for no real reason. The fact is I woke up…earlier than I wanted…but I woke up. I had the entire day ahead of me…I could go ride my bike, hug my wife and laugh with the girls. I still had things to look forward to and friends to love…I still have my life.

There are so many sad side stories to this death. So many hearts broken by this loss. Yet everyone’s life will move on. Everyone, even her closest family will heal. What I hope for is that each person effected and maybe even those of you that read this post, will take a minute to remember how fortunate we are. Remember to appreciate the time we are given to walk on this earth. And most importantly remember to appreciate those people we get to share this planet with.

American Thanksgiving

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Someone asked me earlier this week how it is possible to celebrate Thanksgiving without turkey.

I gave up eating meat nearly two years ago…so not eating a turkey on Thanksgiving is not a problem for me…but the question itself made me stop and think.

Why do we (Americans) celebrate Thanksgiving?

Do we celebrate Thanksgiving so we can over eat, nap and watch football? Maybe.
Do we celebrate Thanksgiving so we can wrestle our fellow americans for a TV that is marked 50% off? Maybe.
Do we celebrate Thanksgiving so we can enjoy a 4 day weekend? Maybe.

Without digressing into a story about Europeans landing on foreign soil that they would infest with disease and eventually dominate and destroy…I would like to consider what Thanksgiving could be…if we as americans could turn a few of our priorities around and focus on the good in ourselves and each other rather than the external things that we surround ourselves with.

Maybe if more people looked across the table at their family member and sought the things that make that person good and kind…instead of focusing on our disagreements.

Maybe each of us could take a minute to think of those who don’t have family members to share a meal with. And realize how fortunate we are to be in a house full of love and goodness.

Maybe we could extend an olive branch to the individuals that we have shut out of our lives.

Maybe we could spend time talking about the Grace our God freely gives and the forgiveness we are granted…even when we don’t deserve it.

Gratitude is an easy thing to forget…We often take our lives, our family and our friends for granted…

Lets all take a minute to say thank you…
to our family,
to our friends,
to a total stranger,
to our God

for our family,
for our friends
for the strangers that surround us,
for our God

Happy (American) Thanksgiving everyone…may we all find a reason to be grateful everyday.

4:30A.M…..

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boot camp

Yep that’s me…the tall one in the back row.

Several things happened today that brought to mind thankfulness. Its amazing how much more observant I can be when I have a reason to be focused.

What I’ve decided to share tonight is my amazingly early workout this morning. I joined a boot camp group, at the invitation of a friend, at 4:30AM.

I actually love early morning workouts. I enjoy the energy I feel after getting up early and pushing myself to the point of noodle arms!

What I hate is waking up early!
I frequently try to get up early for workouts but I’ve learned if someone isn’t waiting for me at a predetermined location…I will never roll out of bed.

I am grateful that my friend invited me to join her this morning and I’m also thankful that I am able to exercise. I know so many people that are fighting disease, disability and/or other mental or physical challenges that I realize I am fortunate to have the physical ability to be active.

So guess what I have decided to do 3 days a week? Yep! I’m going to be working out at 4:30AM.

Am I crazy…yep! But I’m also excited about this new adventure and grateful for the opportunity!

A Year of Gratitude…

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Snoopy and Charlie Brown

Today I turned 53 years old. On July 16, 1992 my Dad died at the age of 53.
I have worried about dying young for many years. Fortunately, I took several healthy steps back in my early 40’s in an effort to beat the odds. Unfortunately, as this 53rd birthday has approached I’ve found myself worrying more about following in my father’s footsteps.

A few days ago I had an epiphany! I’ve always considered myself an optimistic person…Why am I seeing nothing but the negative in this situation?

Four years ago I committed to 365 days of thankfulness. That lead to my Facebook page, 365 Days and Counting and a year later my blog, Conversations Around the Tree.

I enjoyed that year of thankfulness and found myself much more focused on my actions and more observant of those around me. For this reason I’ve decided to seek the positive and resume a year of gratitude.

I hope you will join me on this journey of optimism and while I am searching for a nugget of gratitude each day maybe you too will search for something positive to be thankful for.

I have decided to share each post on 365 Days and Counting and Conversations Around the Tree. Some of my friends never made the transition from 365 to Conversations and I’ve met many new and awesome people at Conversations…..so I will post in both places and hope by doing this more people will find a reason to seek gratitude.

 

“Interrupt Anxiety
with Gratitude.”
– Life by Guilia