Hearts in grass by Julien

5 Languages of Love

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Chocolate or potato chips? Steak or seafood?

We all have preference, and so it is with HOW we like to be SHOWN love. Certain things resonate more than others, making us feel more appreciated, opening our hearts and making us feel truly loved.

How do you like to be shown love?

Melinda showers her boyfriend, Keith, with gifts to show her affection while he in turn washes her car.

But like a chocoholic being offered potato chips and vice versa, both Melinda and Keith are left less than satisfied.  Read more

The Key To A Happy Life

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Gratefulness is the key to a happy life that we hold in our hands, because if we are not grateful, then no matter how much we have we will not be happy — because we will always want to have something else or something more. ~ Brother David Steindl-Rastl

Part of the holiday season is the giving of gifts. Giving can be a wonderful expression to show caring and appreciation. These gifts don’t have to be material or store-bought; the ones that aren’t, often, are so much more meaningful. Read more

How To Teach Children Gratitude

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Do not take anything for granted — not one smile or one person or one rainbow or one breath, or one night in your cozy bed.  ~Terri Guillemets

Gratitude is an attitude toward living. Children learn gratitude by watching their parents, teachers, grandparents and other adult role models in their lives. These role models set the tone. Children mirror the values they see on a daily basis. If children are shown and experience the value of gratitude in daily life, appreciation will become a part of their attitude.

Below are four ways to nurture gratitude in children. Read more

12 Ways To Bring Gratitude Into Your Life

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May you experience all the levels of thankfulness and the soul-gifts that each offers. For then it will be truly possible to give and receive joy every day of your life. ~ M.J. Ryan

Below are 12 things you can do to add gratitude to your everyday life. Count your blessings and see how your whole life will turn around! Read more

Why Thanksgiving Is Important!

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Thanksgiving Day comes, by statute, once a year; to the honest man it comes as frequently as the heart of gratitude will allow. ~ Edward Sandford Martin

Thanksgiving. What a truly clever and wonderful idea.

A holiday in which the entire nation collectively comes together, surrounds ourselves with loved ones and takes time to focus on the good things in life.

Read more

6 Thanksgiving Traditions To Be Remembered

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Gratitude is the inward feeling of kindness received. Thankfulness is the natural impulse to express that feeling. Thanksgiving is the following of that impulse. ~ Henry Van Dyke

Traditions are meant to be simple yet meaningful as well as enjoyed and remembered for years to come.

Thanksgiving traditions usually include turkey, stuffing and pumpkin pie and families huddled around the television watching football. The holiday lends itself by it’s very nature to sharing our gratitude.

Below are a few traditions that will help promote the expression of appreciation and thankfulness. Read more

Every Problem Has A Purpose

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Problems are only opportunities in work clothes. ~ Henry J. Kaiser

When faced with any sort of challenge, we have the choice to approach that obstacle as an opportunity to make us better people, or to take the view that something is conspiring against us.  Read more

6 Tips To Composing Heartfelt Thank You Notes

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People like being appreciated. Every gift deserves a thank-you, whether it is a material object, a referral, or to express your appreciation for someone’s friendship, acceptance or support.

Although occasionally a thank you email will do, a handwritten note expresses a completely different level of appreciation. It takes added effort and planning (but not much) to actually pen and mail a thank you card, letter or postcard. Even if your handwriting is poor, still hand-write your notes. Do not type them or use a word processor.

Writing thank-you notes is easier than you remember them being as a kid (when your mom had you write thank you cards for every birthday gift received).  Read more

11 Things to Making the Most of Life

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Life is a song – sing it.

Life is a game – play it.

Life is a challenge – meet it.

Life is a dream – realize it.

Life is a sacrifice – offer it.

Life is love – enjoy it.

~ Sai Baba

 

Life offers so much, sing, play and enjoy.  Read more

Awesome Autumn

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Spring passes and one remembers one’s innocence.
Summer passes and one remembers one’s exuberance.
Autumn passes and one remembers one’s reverence.
Winter passes and one remembers one’s perseverance.
~Yoko Ono

For those of us who have experienced the magical change and richness of color that comes with autumn, “reverence” is a very fitting word. Another might be, “Wow” or maybe, “Awesome.”  For all of us, there are so many images that put us in touch with the magnificence of nature’s change.  Read more