The expression of gratitude is a kind of meta-strategy for achieving happiness. ~ Sonja Lyubomirsky
Gratitude is many things to many people but it is so much more than simply saying ‘thank you’.
A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and sings it back to you when you have forgotten the words.
One of the best things in life is having a true friend. Another is being a true friend. Having connections with different people who understand, support and appreciate you, make you laugh, let you cry and help you remember who you are is an amazing gift.
…if you live feeling like
Your glass is half empty, well,
It may as well be empty all the way.
~Mattie J.T. Stepanek, Journey Through Heartsongs
The word “appreciation” means really seeing something for what it is – having an awareness of how special, how lucky, how unique, how blessed, how big, wonderful or awesome something is. Appreciation is a recognition not based on comparison, but based on the intrinsic value, character or immensity of a thing, action or person.
Some people are born “appreciators”. They value the essence of everything – the beauty of a sunset, the fragile green of a leaf, the boundless energy of a small child. Others must learn to see the beauty and wonder in the world.
Teaching children the value of appreciation is so important. It opens the heart, giving them a sense of belonging, a sense of community. Gratitude opens children up to the awareness of what others provide. Helping children grow an ‘attitude of gratitude’ can begin at a very early age. Read more
To say we feel grateful is not to say that everything in our lives is necessarily great. It just means we are aware of our blessings. ~Dr. Robert Emmons
There are times when feeling grateful is really tough. Many things can have us looking on the downside rather than counting our blessings.
Throughout our lives, we are presented with opportunities. How we view these situations and what we do with them is our choice. At times, we may feel an opportunity is more of an obstacle.
In the story below, famous violinist Itzhak Perlman reaches into himself to create beautiful music with what is available to him at that very moment. His situation illustrates how we all have the chance to create and contribute even when circumstances are not the best.
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World renown violinist Itzhak Perlman was stricken with polio at the age of four. He eventually recovered and learned to walk with crutches. Today, he uses crutches, leg braces or an electric scooter for mobility and plays the violin while seated. Read more
It’s easy to grow accustomed to the many things and people that support us in daily living. Sometimes I find myself complaining about what is lacking and forget to see and appreciate all the goodness in my life.
Recently, the cables were down in my neighborhood for a whole day. I had no access to the Internet. Can you imagine?! At first, I didn’t know what to do with myself. How many times have I put “Internet connection” on my gratitude list? Never. It’s there now. (See journals below.)
Gratitude is one of the practices that leads to contentment, happiness and abundance. One of my favorite stories that illustrates gratitude is about Nasreddin, a legendary Sufi jester said to have existed during the Middle Ages.
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One day Nasreddin saw a man sitting in a shadow of gloom, face in his hands. The man looked so forlorn that Nasreddin stopped, hoping to be able to console him. Read more
When you stop & smell the flowers life is sweet. Witness the beauty in all that you meet.
A positive, appreciative outlook allows us to fully experience the sweetness of life. It is a conscious choice to live every moment with love, grace and gratitude. By doing so, we open our hearts to happiness, growth and abundance. Read more
He who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead; his eyes are closed. ~ Albert Einstein
Take time to open your eyes and really see all of the amazing, wonderful things and people surrounding you. Read more
Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one. ~ Jane Howard
Eleven years ago today, thousands of people lost loved ones, members of their ‘family’, in one of the most tragic events in United States history.
Family doesn’t have to mean blood related or related by marriage. Family are also those people who lift you up and encourage you, make you smile, know when to offer a bear hug or a silly joke, the ones who accept you for who you are and loves you for you.
All of these relationships, especially the ones that encourage growth, acceptance and appreciation, need nurturing. Below are 20 bits of advice to ensure those relationships continue to bloom and flourish as well as to seed new, healthy connections. Read more
