Reminder: If you've been keeping a Gratitude Journal now is a good time to update it. Who blessed your life this week? What events lifted your heart? What did you see, hear or read that inspired you? There are so many reasons to be grateful!
A new post will be published each Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Sometimes those closest to us are the most difficult to appreciate. Why? Probably because, being who they are, they do nice things for us frequently and we sometimes take their thoughtfulness for granted. It's also not UNlikely that they do things that irritate us and, we, being who we are (human), may focus on those annoyances rather than their helpful and considerate actions.
When I was younger I would often chuckle at retired couples, because the wives sometimes complained that their husbands were irritating, being under foot all day. Now that I've reached that same status I can better understand the difficulties of having a spouse around 24/7. However, I frequently notice little things that have been done, and I know I wasn't the one who did them. Is it so impossible to express appreciation for those acts of kindness and let the other stuff go?
Many people take care of aging parents. In my book, that's probably the ultimate expression of appreciation to the one (or ones) who spent countless hours preparing us for life. My sister and her husband provided this service for my mother during her final years. Did my brothers and sisters and I adequately express our appreciation to Toni and Paul for all they gave--and all they gave up--to provide Mom with a safe and loving environment? I hope so, because their service was an incomparable act of gratitude to our mother who worked so hard to raise us.
All around us, parents take care of sickly children, children take care of infirm parents, spouses take care of chronically or terminally ill spouses. In most cases this service is given with gentle thoughtfulness and concern--expressions not just of love but of deep appreciation for what the ailing loved one has given to our own life.
I asked my friend Lisa for permission to share her story. She and her husband Quinn are taking care of Lisa's dad who has cancer. A couple of days ago she posted this on her Facebook page:
Stupid cancer . . . Some of us want a new car . . . A new cell phone.. . To lose weight . . . But someone battling cancer wants just one thing, to win that battle. 97% of my friends won't re-post this, but 3% will. Let's see who does. Please re-post this in honor of someone who lost their battle, or for someone fighting it now.♥
GO DAD! You can lick this!
Lisa probably has no idea how far-reaching her service to her father is. It is so multifaceted. She has not only welcomed him into her home, she is providing all the care that love can afford, seeing that his needs are met, and rooting for him as he fights to beat his disease. She is also reaching out, beyond herself, to be concerned for those who are in a similar situation. She seems to know what is really important in life: love, relationships, and service. Knowing Lisa, this doesn't surprise me. She is the kind of person who consistently looks outside herself, seeking ways to assist others, not just in her family, but in her church and community as well. However, as a caregiver myself, I know how wearing it can be--that constant concern for the health of a loved one. So, I deeply appreciate her example of giving so diligently and completely.
I share Lisa's story not to make anyone feel guilty, but because it is such a clear example of what love and gratitude can provide for someone in need. We all have our own individual circumstances and capacities, and not all of us can or will give in the same ways. However, within the realm of love and gratitude, we can each set aside the complacency of taking family for granted. We can each find avenues for showing those closest to us how special they are, and how much we appreciate them in our lives.
Gratitude for family is probably the most difficult kind of gratitude we will ever express--let's face it, family can sometimes be abrasive and demanding. However, no where else will our efforts bear more important and productive fruit, because, really, family is everything. And not in the way that Robert Frost expressed: "Home is the place where, when you have to go there, they have to take you in." No, the most deep and abiding ties in family relationships go way beyond "have to". Those ties are strengthened and made fast by expressions of sincere appreciation, manifest through acts of kindness, service and unwavering love.
TODAY'S INSPIRED QUOTATION:
To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant, to enact gratitude is generous, but to live gratitude is to touch Heaven. Johannes Gaertner
Friday, August 19, 2011
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
The Negative Energy Drain
We've all experienced leaky drains that let water out of the sink or tub very slowly when we don't want it to drain out at all. SLOWLY, SLOWLY the leak takes all that water away and leaves us, sitting naked, in a cold, uncomfortable place. Negative energy can do the same thing. Knowing that, why do we allow ourselves to hang out with a negative attitude?
According to research, it is the natural disposition of human beings to gravitate toward negative thinking. For some reason, it is just an easier path for us to take and requires a whole lot less effort than thinking positively. So, next time you run across someone who is negative, just realize they are only being human. Unfortunately, when we give in to that "easy", human road it ends up costing us big time, creating more stress and unhappiness. When we filter everything through the lens of disappointment and discouragement we end up in a very bad place. Just as though we were sitting in that tub with the leaky drain, eventually, we are left feeling cold and miserable.
How much more productive to give life the effort and persistence that will lead to greater satisfaction. And--given enough repetition--greater joy in this human experience. But it does take our effort. However, not all effort is back breaking. Sometimes "effort" simply means taking a moment to switch gears, to alter our focus. In fact, that effort can lead to a wholesome respite from the heavy load of our everyday responsibilities.
So, even if you have to set a timer to remind yourself, consider developing the habit of having regular "time outs" to step away from the necessary tasks of life, and just for a few moments, allow your awareness to be centered on something uplifting and joyful: the sound of laughter; music; a beautiful poem; the smell and taste of your food; gazing at the night sky; walking a woodland path; wading in a cold stream; picking wildflowers; holding some one's hand; the songs of birds, or the roll of thunder. Everyone of these things requires us to exercise our awareness, to stop and take a moment away from the mundane things that require our attention. And everyone of them can be like flipping a switch that turns on a light, helping us to see so clearly a blessing for which we can be grateful. That recognition, in turn, alters our thinking and our feelings and brings happiness to life. It can, in fact, be a truly transforming encounter if we allow ourselves to become immersed in the experience of it, if only for a few minutes. To me, that's better than an antidepressant, a cup of coffee or a stiff drink, and a whole lot better for our health.
Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." So, instead of giving way to the easy road of negativity, consider the joy you will feel as you make your own personal trail, filled with moments--just simple moments--of heart lifting joy. That very personal path will lead to greater health and peace, and places of enlightenment and gratitude you've never imagined!
Note: I believe my daughter-in-law, Kate, fixed the problem with the Comments section, and you can now post a comment if you would like. I'd love to hear from you!
THANKS, KATE!
TODAY'S AWESOME BLESSING:
Friends brought us fresh Swiss chard, beet greens and herbs from their garden. I blanched the greens and put them in the freezer and dried some of the herbs, others I used fresh. YUM!
Thank you, friends. That's a blessing we get to enjoy now, and during the winter months! And your friendship, well, that's a forever thing!
According to research, it is the natural disposition of human beings to gravitate toward negative thinking. For some reason, it is just an easier path for us to take and requires a whole lot less effort than thinking positively. So, next time you run across someone who is negative, just realize they are only being human. Unfortunately, when we give in to that "easy", human road it ends up costing us big time, creating more stress and unhappiness. When we filter everything through the lens of disappointment and discouragement we end up in a very bad place. Just as though we were sitting in that tub with the leaky drain, eventually, we are left feeling cold and miserable.
How much more productive to give life the effort and persistence that will lead to greater satisfaction. And--given enough repetition--greater joy in this human experience. But it does take our effort. However, not all effort is back breaking. Sometimes "effort" simply means taking a moment to switch gears, to alter our focus. In fact, that effort can lead to a wholesome respite from the heavy load of our everyday responsibilities.
So, even if you have to set a timer to remind yourself, consider developing the habit of having regular "time outs" to step away from the necessary tasks of life, and just for a few moments, allow your awareness to be centered on something uplifting and joyful: the sound of laughter; music; a beautiful poem; the smell and taste of your food; gazing at the night sky; walking a woodland path; wading in a cold stream; picking wildflowers; holding some one's hand; the songs of birds, or the roll of thunder. Everyone of these things requires us to exercise our awareness, to stop and take a moment away from the mundane things that require our attention. And everyone of them can be like flipping a switch that turns on a light, helping us to see so clearly a blessing for which we can be grateful. That recognition, in turn, alters our thinking and our feelings and brings happiness to life. It can, in fact, be a truly transforming encounter if we allow ourselves to become immersed in the experience of it, if only for a few minutes. To me, that's better than an antidepressant, a cup of coffee or a stiff drink, and a whole lot better for our health.
Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." So, instead of giving way to the easy road of negativity, consider the joy you will feel as you make your own personal trail, filled with moments--just simple moments--of heart lifting joy. That very personal path will lead to greater health and peace, and places of enlightenment and gratitude you've never imagined!
Note: I believe my daughter-in-law, Kate, fixed the problem with the Comments section, and you can now post a comment if you would like. I'd love to hear from you!
THANKS, KATE!
TODAY'S AWESOME BLESSING:
Friends brought us fresh Swiss chard, beet greens and herbs from their garden. I blanched the greens and put them in the freezer and dried some of the herbs, others I used fresh. YUM!
Thank you, friends. That's a blessing we get to enjoy now, and during the winter months! And your friendship, well, that's a forever thing!
Monday, August 15, 2011
Energy and Persistence
Two weeks ago my posts focused on ideas for relaxation. Why? Because I wanted you to experience the sense of renewal and peace that come as we clear our minds, relax our bodies, and center our hearts on all there is to be grateful for. In additon, it is just plain healthy to allow our minds and bodies to rest from time to time.
However, most of the necessities of life aren't attended to while we're in a state of relaxation. There is a scientific law called entropy. Simply stated, it teaches us that closed systems tend toward disorder unless acted upon by energy from an outside force (just think about what happens to your home when you don't pick things up for a day or two). Benjamin Franklin told us that "energy and persistence alter all things." In other words, it is only through work and consistent effort that our lives are saved from disorder.
When my husband became ill eleven years ago my whole life changed. I had always worked at home and in my church and community. Suddenly, it was time to switch my focus and become employed for money away from home. Until this past fall I was blessed to work in the natural health field, and I worked hard. All that effort kept the bills paid and food on the table. Now that my husband's Parkinson's disease has progressed to where he needs someone to be with him, I am at home again--still working hard. My focus is most often on him and his needs.
As I look back on all these years I feel enormously blessed that I have had the health, strength and intellect to do what I've needed to do to "keep it all together." And in this mix of effort and emotion called life, I can't discount for one moment the blessings others have sent my way.
Sometimes people comment that they don't know how I do what I do. They remark that my life must be discouraging. After all, I've worked in natural health for years, yet nothing in traditional western or holistic medicine has helped my husband in a way that has made him healthy again. True, it is difficult for us to travel, there are lots of doctor visits and tests, I'm always "on guard" watching for signs of low blood pressure or any indication that he is having trouble with balance and coordination, and let's face it, life isn't what anyone would consider "normal". And no doubt about it, we aren't doing many of the things people our age usually get to do--wrapping up careers; traveling; pursuing hobbies, serving as community volunteers. I can only say, I choose not to focus on those things. It would drive me crazy if I did. Though, being human, I do have my moments of wondering what life would be like without Parkinson's disease in the picture. However, I feel blessed to know that what I am doing is important. Although nothing has made an appreciable difference in Lynn's health, the path we have traveled has been an important and productive one. For we are learning many lessons that, apparently, we are intended to learn.
The French philosopher, Pierre Teihard De Chardin said, "We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience." I truly believe that all our experiences can draw us closer to our divine source, and make us more spiritually refined, emotionally resilient and compassionate, if we exert energy and persistence in looking for the good in our situation.
As we have moved along through our experience, health, energy, the ability to persist, and blessings from loved ones and friends have all been given to me as needed. I hope I never take any of these gifts for granted, because they are GIFTS--beautiful gifts wrapped in love and the desire to help us through a difficult situation--gifts that allow me to do what I need to do right now. What would my life be like without them? I don't even want to imagine!
TODAY'S GENTLE ENCOURAGEMENT:
Exert energy and persistence to focus on what you have, not on what you have not.
However, most of the necessities of life aren't attended to while we're in a state of relaxation. There is a scientific law called entropy. Simply stated, it teaches us that closed systems tend toward disorder unless acted upon by energy from an outside force (just think about what happens to your home when you don't pick things up for a day or two). Benjamin Franklin told us that "energy and persistence alter all things." In other words, it is only through work and consistent effort that our lives are saved from disorder.
When my husband became ill eleven years ago my whole life changed. I had always worked at home and in my church and community. Suddenly, it was time to switch my focus and become employed for money away from home. Until this past fall I was blessed to work in the natural health field, and I worked hard. All that effort kept the bills paid and food on the table. Now that my husband's Parkinson's disease has progressed to where he needs someone to be with him, I am at home again--still working hard. My focus is most often on him and his needs.
As I look back on all these years I feel enormously blessed that I have had the health, strength and intellect to do what I've needed to do to "keep it all together." And in this mix of effort and emotion called life, I can't discount for one moment the blessings others have sent my way.
Sometimes people comment that they don't know how I do what I do. They remark that my life must be discouraging. After all, I've worked in natural health for years, yet nothing in traditional western or holistic medicine has helped my husband in a way that has made him healthy again. True, it is difficult for us to travel, there are lots of doctor visits and tests, I'm always "on guard" watching for signs of low blood pressure or any indication that he is having trouble with balance and coordination, and let's face it, life isn't what anyone would consider "normal". And no doubt about it, we aren't doing many of the things people our age usually get to do--wrapping up careers; traveling; pursuing hobbies, serving as community volunteers. I can only say, I choose not to focus on those things. It would drive me crazy if I did. Though, being human, I do have my moments of wondering what life would be like without Parkinson's disease in the picture. However, I feel blessed to know that what I am doing is important. Although nothing has made an appreciable difference in Lynn's health, the path we have traveled has been an important and productive one. For we are learning many lessons that, apparently, we are intended to learn.
The French philosopher, Pierre Teihard De Chardin said, "We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience." I truly believe that all our experiences can draw us closer to our divine source, and make us more spiritually refined, emotionally resilient and compassionate, if we exert energy and persistence in looking for the good in our situation.
As we have moved along through our experience, health, energy, the ability to persist, and blessings from loved ones and friends have all been given to me as needed. I hope I never take any of these gifts for granted, because they are GIFTS--beautiful gifts wrapped in love and the desire to help us through a difficult situation--gifts that allow me to do what I need to do right now. What would my life be like without them? I don't even want to imagine!
TODAY'S GENTLE ENCOURAGEMENT:
Exert energy and persistence to focus on what you have, not on what you have not.
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