Gratitude Letter 3

Dear Mom & Dad,

As I've grown older I have slowly grown wiser. The lessons you taught me in life make sense to me now and I am so grateful for each one. Thank you for being such great examples of unconditional love, forgiveness, acceptance, and tolerance.

I miss you both so very much! I wish you were here to share my wonderful family. When I look at my incredible grandsons, Jace and Dylan, I wonder how their sweet lives would be different if they had known you. They are such precious gifts and I love EVERY minute I spend with them. You both taught me how to be a grandma. I strive each day to love those boys the way you loved each one of your grandchildren. The bond I have with them is beyond anything I could have imagined. Thank you for that.

Thank you for loving me even when I was unlovable and through my many bad choices. Thank you for always being there for me when I needed you. I still feel the warmth of your love surround me when I need you, even though I can't see or hear you.

My heart is full of gratitude when I think about you. I am so thankful that I got you two amazing people for my parents.

Sending all my love and gratitude to you both in heaven

Linda

OOOOoops!

Well, life got in the way and I slacked on sharing my daily gratitude. Let's give another try...




Dear Dianie,

I want you to know how grateful I am to have you in my life. I have a lifetime of memories shared with you. Thank you for being there for me whenever I have needed you. For laughing with me as well as crying with me. I love you so very much!

The day my best friend became my sister was one of the happiest days of my life.  To have you stand next to me as I gave myself to your brother meant more to me then you will ever know.

I have often said that you know me inside and out (literally). Thank you for being with me as I brought my baby girl into this world. Sharing such a precious moment in my life with you was incredible.

I always look forward to sitting and visiting with you over a steaming cup of coffee. Having someone like you to share our families struggles and triumphs is amazing. Knowing that there is someone that will always be there and truly care no matter what the situation comforts the soul and that is how I see our close sisterly bond.

You are an incredible woman that never ceases to amaze me! Everything you do you put every ounce of yourself into it. We are all so lucky to know you!

Thank you for being you!!

Love yer guts,

Linda

Gratitude Letter ...#2

My dear sweet Aubrey,

Of course this is a very special day. I remember this day 27 years ago as if it were yesterday. It took so long for me to get a precious baby to hold in my arms and my heart but FINALLY God gave me you. I still remember looking into your eyes for the first time and thinking you were the most beautiful baby I had ever seen. I am incredibly grateful to have you in my life. I love you more than I can put into words. I am so proud of the kind of woman you have grown to be.

Today, I would like to thank you for all you do for me. The way you come in and take charge of the house while you're here take such a load off my shoulders. Thank you for all the cooking, cleaning, organizing. I don't even mind when you get bossy with me. You motivate me when I am feeling a bit lazy and can always seem to get me to kick it in gear.

When I think about the greatest gift you have ever given me (which has been many) I must say giving me such an amazing grandson is at the top.I miss you so very much when you head back to Florida and look forward to the day when you will call Utah your permanent home.

Happy Birthday!! and Thank you so very much for all you do

Mom



Memories



Gratitude Letter #1

Barney,

I want you to know how grateful I am to have you as my life partner. You are an amazing husband, father and PaPa. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you do for me.

When you wake me in the morning to get ready for work and I stumble to the bathroom, sitting there on the counter are my daily pills waiting for me. When I come out, you have a steaming cup of coffee waiting. I can't tell you just how that touches my heart. You are such a tough guy on the outside but on the inside, you are sweet, thoughtful, caring, tender and loving in ways that make me fall in love with you over and over and over again.

Thank you for working so hard for me and our kids all these years. You are my hero, my caretaker, my best friend. The one that I want to laugh with, cry with, sit with, talk with...well, just be with.

I love you with every fiber of my being and am so very grateful that you are YOU!

Sending you all my love,
Linda

The Gratitude Letter

A thank-you letter will increase the joy of the person recieving it but it will also increase the author's happiness because expressing gratitude makes you happier. A “Gratitude Letter” written to a person whom you’ve never properly thanked, can increase your own happiness for weeks, even months.

Take time today to write a letter of thanks to someone. It could be to a parent, another family member, or maybe a friend. Compose a letter detailing in specific why you are grateful.

Gratitude increases happiness through good memories from the past. We are born with a certain amount of happiness…a set point. Research is now showing that up to 40% of our happiness might stem from intentional activities in which we choose to engage. Studies show that we cultivate happiness by becoming more grateful in our everyday lives.

Make your life and the life of special person happier by writing a gratitude letter today.

Wishing you all a beautiful day full of Love, Light and Joy!

Do you judge others?

“When you judge another, you do not define them. You define yourself.” 

~Wayne Dyer~

I have never really viewed myself as judgmental. 

BUT...
I WAS WRONG!

I see now just how judgemental I am. In my efforts to become a person who lives a life full of gratitude I became shockingly aware of this HUGE fault of mine.

I thought about how I had moments when loved ones came to me in pain or in need of a friend, and instead of being there for them or listening, I would give my opinion, for better or worse—even if it made them feel worse off. Once I looked at my own mistakes and sought advice from others, some of the things I heard really hurt me, and I thought to myself, “Wow, is that how I sound?”

I have decided that from this day forward I want to share love and support with anyone who may need someone to listen and be there for them. I will let go of my preconceived notions and opinions and just listen.

Even though we may care deeply about a friend in a bad situation and all we want to do is tell them how to fix it, sometimes just by listening we are helping them in more ways than we know.  We can help a person get better clarity about what they want to do, or what feels right to them. Also, what we may consider to be a mistake might actually turn out to be a blessing in the end.

I believe being judgemental while trying to live a life of gratitude cannot work.

I will choose gratitude today!

Today I am thankful for

1. Patience...I have noticed a shortage of this in my house lately. I will strive to be a more patient person.
2. Acceptance...There are a few things in my life that I never thought I could accept. I have found that it has been much easier for me than expected.
3. Coffee with my best girlfriend... Yesterday morning I didn't work and got to have coffee and a great visit with my best girlfriend on my front porch. Thanks for stopping by Dianie

 

 

Our Ever Changing Lives

Our lives are constantly changing.   Some days everything seems to be going our way. Other days, not so much. It’s easy to feel gratitude on those good days.  We are grateful because good things are happening, and we like that! However, we must also learn to be genuinely grateful on those not-so-great days.

We can start by being grateful even though we are having one of those BAD days. Look for other, better things to focus on and be grateful for. Eventually, I think you can learn to be grateful for those BAD days. Those days are a blessing too, they help us appreciate the good days as well as keep us humble.

There will be times in life when everything you have seems to be crumbling around our feet. When that happens, let it go and keep moving through those struggles.  Life has it’s ups and downs, things and people come into our lives, and things and people leave our lives, often before we are ready.  Be grateful for having them, and also for letting them go, for it is all part of this wondrous cycle we call Life.

Today I am grateful for...

1. My sweetheart...He is always by my side to share the good times and the not so good times. I love him with all my heart and soul.
2. Giggles and tickles...The joy and laughter of little ones underfoot brings a smile to my heart
3. The front porch...It's one of my favorite gathering spots, especially on these crisp fall mornings
4. Our Troops that put their lives on the line to ensure our freedom. 
5. Hot baths...I LOVE climbing into a hot bath and soaking away the worries of the day. 

Enjoy your day and remember to fill it with gratitude!

Lazy Days are the Best Days

Yesterday was a bit gloomy outside, one of those soupy, stay in my PJ's kind of days. That's exactly what I did. It was perfect!

I made a big pot of soup, watched TV and enjoyed my family. Gratitude seemed to come easy on this lazy Saturday. The crisp weather gave signs of the holidays quickly arriving. My favorite time of the year.

Today I am grateful for...

1. My sweet dad teaching me how to make my favorite soup (Creamy Potato) YUMMO!!
2. Warm jammies...Oh MY how I love them! I wish I could wear them 24/7
3. My wonderful family that let me enjoy a lazy day with them in front of the TV
4. Banana splits...Our desert last night...I haven't had one in ... well FOREVER it was SOOO good!
5. My grandson Dylan... He gives some great hugs and kisses...I adore his sweet soul.

Gratitude Feeds the Soul

In our busy lives, it is easy to become bogged down by all the tasks that must be accomplished each day. Don't allow that to stop you from taking care of yourself both physically and mentally. Living a life full of gratitude feeds the soul. Remember to be tahnkful as you travel through your day!

Today I am thankful for...

1. My grandsons - They bring so much sweet innocence and giggles to my daily life.
2. My daughters - They have always kept me on my toes. We don't agree on many things but I am so very proud to be their mother and most of the time their friend.
3. Nature - I love this time of year with all the beautiful vibrant colors of Fall. When I look around at the incredible landscape that surrounds me I am overwhelmed with gratitude for God and all he has created.
4. Tender mercies - It seems like once things start going down hill there is a snowball effect. There's one issue after another after another. But, just when you're ready to give up you find that small glimmer of hope to cling to until you find brighter days. I believe it is one of Gods tender mercies. I have that glimmer of hope today!
5. Hugs - There is just something about a hug that gives me serious warm fuzzies. The warmth of  some you care about offering you a safe haven in their arms where you find love and light!

What does gratitude mean to you?

Gratitude means being thankful, counting your blessings, noticing simple pleasures, and acknowledging everything that you receive. It means learning to live your life as if everything were a miracle, and being aware on a continuous basis of how much you’ve been given. Gratitude shifts your focus from what your life lacks to the abundance that is already present. In addition, behavioral and psychological research has shown the surprising life improvements that can stem from the practice of gratitude. Giving thanks makes people happier and more resilient, it strengthens relationships, it improves health, and it reduces stress.

Five things I'm grateful for today

1. The Sun - For bringing in light and beauty to this world
2. My mind - For the ability to think, to store memories, and to create new solutions
3. Life’s challenges - For helping me grow and become a better person
4. Music - For lifting my spirits when I'm feeling a bit down and for filling my life with more love
5. Laughter - For filling my life with joy and happiness

I'm starting to have a better outlook on my life already!!

Love and Light to you all!!

When Life Gives you Lemons

Somewhere in the distant past, I recall someone saying to me “Be grateful for small mercies.”


As I grew, I forgot that piece of advice given to me way back then. But, like so many people in the world, troubles have begun crowding in on me.

The recession, has hit me harder than I had hoped. I began feeling like life was beyond me, too big for me to handle and the sinking feeling of dread has begun to weigh heavy on my heart as well as my mind.

I will not let life whoop my ass! I am beginning a gratitude list…. RIGHT NOW!!!

Here are five things I am grateful for today

1. My parents - For giving me life and more love than I could have ever asked for. .


2. My family – For being there for me through the good times as well as the bad.
3. Tears – For helping me express my deepest emotions

4. Disappointment - So I recognize the things that are most important
5. Fears – So I can see where there are opportunities for growth

Thank you God for the many small mercies you have given me today!


I would love to know what you are grateful for today...Please leave me a comment and tell me.

Make it a GREAT day!!

Our Fake Thanksgiving

Aubrey has really missed being home for Thanksgiving since moving to Florida. So when she suggested having a fake Thanksgiving Dinner we of course had to go along with it. She planned it and invited a few guests and together we prepared a full blown Thanksgiving feast!

It was an absolutely wonderful Sunday dinner and I for one am so glad she suggested the idea. I needed a day of thanksgiving in more ways than one. The feeling of gratitude that I always feel during the Thanksgiving holiday seeped into my heart that day and I began thinking about another series of posts leading up to Thanksgiving.

I decided I would start it on November 1st and run through Thanksgiving day. My mind was made up but I think I'm going to change it a bit. I need the feeling of gratitude NOW so I am just going to start. Life is kicking my butt right now so I'm not sure if I will find the time to post every day but I will try.

So to start it off, I want to tell Aubrey how grateful I am for her FAKE Thanksgiving idea.

Thinking of my mom today

25 Years ago today I lost my mom. I miss her so much!

She was such an incredible lady! Anyone who knew her was truly blessed

LOVE YOU MOM TODAY AND EVERY DAY!!