Good evening beautiful people,

Today was  lovely day….quiet, slow, and productive. I’m grateful for slow days where I can get a head start to a busy week and work ahead. This feels wonderful and I can feel the stress level already reduced.

Am also grateful for time spent reading in bed with my niece. Although what we were reading was drastically different it was enjoyable to lay in bed under our comfy blankets and share our love for reading.

It’s the simple things that bring me the greatest joys.

What brings you joy?

Today was an EXCEPTIONAL day!! I. AM. SO. GRATEFUL. FOR. MY FAMILY. We came together for a big task, worked hard, and enjoyed each other. I am so blessed to have my son, parents, siblings, nephews, and niece to help me when I need it. Love them all to pieces!

(Photo credit: Google Images)

Also, am grateful to close a chapter in my life and open a new one. Looking forward to creating new memories and enjoying family even more often.

Enjoy your weekend all!

So far…..this new project isn’t challenging. Gratitude abounds and it would be with little effort to list a multitude of ways I feel thankful each and every day. The challenging part is likely devoting the time when life seems to pull in so many directions. It’s good practice and one I hope that my son, family, and friends begin to practice more regularly.

I’m grateful for free public internet today (and delicious coffee). After, a snafu of sorts accessing the internet to tie up some loose ends makes it easy and convenient.

Also, am grateful for a time off from work. It feels great leaving early and enjoying the gift of time. Using it productively or not…..is nice to help renew and refresh.

Enjoy your Friday afternoon all!

What a wonderful day today was! I’m grateful for feedback……sure, I love positive feedback much more than negative. I trust the negative feedback to help me understand how I need to do a better job in some area (listen more intently, judge less, or be of better assistance). But, it just feels so much nicer to hear how what I have done or said is helpful to someone….even in some small way.

I’m filled with gratitude for a family dinner this evening. Spending time with my mom and Bruce was wonderful. Mom’s homemade meals (and leftovers she always sends home), learning about war history, and their support. One of the greatest reasons that my soul smiles is my family. I am truly blessed with parents, a bonus mom, grandpa, son, siblings, nephews, and my beautiful niece who I live for. Family time is my absolute favorite time to spend!

Another one of my favorites, is to hear someone’s story. Everyone has one and hearing theirs helps you better understand their struggles and challenges that have inspired who they are today. I learned of a new blog today (I LOVE blogs and will periodically……OK, maybe over share, forgive me!). It’s called Humans of New York operated by a wonderful photographer who captures the heart and soul and a little bit about each person’s story. I invite you to visit http://www.humansofnewyork.com.

May you find inspiration and a greater level of gratitude in your life!

Greetings, hope your day of gratitude has been superb.

I am grateful for a much more balanced day today……less busy, less stressful, and more fun aspects including receiving cookie grams, being told that I am appreciated and will be missed. It’s wonderful to hear that I impact others (even if it’s in a small way).

Also, am grateful for such a beautiful view of the moon this evening. I’m always cognizant of the beauty of our mother earth. If it’s not too late check out the moon, or even tomorrow evening. It’s quite lovely. It’s also a grand reminder of our little place on this massive planet and how when I make mistakes or don’t say the right thing or don’t react the way I’d like to……the world doesn’t crumble but keeps its rotation around the sun.

Be gentle with yourself…..it’s a valuable gift to give to yourself and others.

Today was one of those days…..you know the ones. Some things go well and some just don’t. BUT, what’s great about days like today, is that eventually they end….we go home….and a new day starts tomorrow. I’m grateful for a fresh start each and every day.

Also, learned something new today and am grateful for it. My e-books that I’m using in school has a search function  and instead of rereading my material I simply search for key terms. What a great time saver! Saving time is one of my utmost favorite things (well that and saving money). Gratitude abound.

I heard an inspiring story that I just had to share. This past weekend was the the NYC marathon and just an inspiring event after it was canceled last week. One of the oldest women to participate was 86 and had ran her 25th marathon. Sadly, she passed away the day after the marathon but to learn more about her story was heartwarming. Here is her story http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/oldest-woman-new-york-city-marathon-dies-86-article-1.1507052.

Of the 50,000 runners only 31 were over the age of 80 which proves to me that age is only a number and not a state of mind. You’re never too old to accomplish your dreams.

Go for it!!

An evening post today. It’s been a long wonderful day and I. AM. TIRED. I am grateful for feeling tired today because it means I worked hard today and gave it my all. Life’s throwing a lot at me right now and I’m trying my best to manage it all.

I’m also grateful for work in a position in which people find my support, encouragement, and guidance are valuable. I strive to help others in any way I can and am blessed to have the opportunity to do it as a profession. Of course, not every learner interaction is happy and positive. Many are conversations in which learners are frustrated and those with unrealistic expectations. One day, not too long ago, after sharing how hard this can be with my mother she reminded me that I’m in a powerful position. Only wisdom can provide such an explanation. I asked for more clarification as I didn’t see the sun behind the clouds and was encouraged to reconsider my role as a much needed listener and confidant. People need a soft place to land and I’m that person. How can I not feel the power in that?

Today, Emily over at JDC posted such a sincere post. She suggests three ways to practice gratitude and includes some tips to involve the little people in your life. What a wonderful way to start new traditions and set the tone in your home to focus on the positive each and every day. Please visit Emily’s page at http://www.jonesdesigncompany.com. I promise you won’t regret it!

Take good care and happy practicing new ways of gratitude.

Today was another beautiful, productive day.

(Photo credit: Google images)

I, like so many, am grateful for the gift of time. Sleeping in didn’t make me feel as guilty as usual. I’m always thinking about what I need to do and how much I need to accomplish. Today, was not one of those days. :0)

Also, was grateful to have been to accomplish so much around the house. It’s been far too long since the house was this clean.

Finally, I am filled with gratitude at my curiosity for learning. I love to read, learn, and explore more of this wonderful earth. Today, I was able to work ahead and spend quality time reading. Granted the subject was research methods; none-the-less it was necessary.

Enjoy the last few hours of the weekend and let’s look forward to how fabulous this week will be.

Good Saturday morning beautiful people,

Today is a GORGEOUS day and I’m grateful for the ability to exercise. This allows me to care for my mind, body, and soul. Also, grateful for a workout partner today. Most days I’m on my own but enjoying the struggle together makes pushing myself just a tad bit easier.

Also, grateful for family, but more so today-extended family. Seeing the Thompson’s and am excited to catch up and create memories.

Are you finding it hard to find gratitude in YOUR life?. Sometimes it’s easy to find gratitude, but sometimes its tougher than at other times. For those times, I offer a couple of gems. First, I’m sharing a heartfelt story the quadriplegic man participating in today’s Iron Man competition. For those you are familiar with the Iron Man it is an amazing feet that only a select few hundred people take on and complete such a grand challenge. The competition consists of a 2.4 ocean swim, 112 mile bike ride, and a 26.2 mile run (marathon). Here’s Joe Stone’s story http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2013/11/01/apple-valley-man-quadriplegic-vows-to-compete-in-ironman/. This will indeed inspire you.

Another ditty for you. One of my uber favorite blogs is the Jones Design Company. Emily, is the incredibly creative, sweet, fun, caring mom who has opened her home, heart, and talents to the world. Her blog post today is fitting for what I think many of us struggle with-the challenge of being present, contentment, and comparison. Click here for more http://jonesdesigncompany.com/.

Enjoy your day and seek the power of gratitude!

Today is November 1st and in just a few (short) weeks we will be celebrating Thanksgiving. Many on Facebook have announced they are celebrating the month with 30 days of gratitude and posting each day what they are grateful for. I love the idea and thought I would take it up a notch and expand my recognitions of gratitude each day for the next 365 days.

Everyday I find many experiences, people, and material things that I am grateful for. This is an easy task for me. For me, the glass is ALWAYS half full. I am hopeful that this new venture will open my eyes wider, but more importantly, provide insight into the world using only a positive lens-something I hope more people will try to incorporate into their daily lives.

OK…….without further ado. Today, was a wonderful day that consisted of encouragement from coworkers. After a challenging week, I’m grateful for coworkers who understand and provide comedic relief. I’m blessed to work at a company that encourages self-care and teamwork that supports that.

Today, I spent the afternoon watching a movie with my Grandpa. He is almost 93 and I know my time with him is limited. Our favorite activity-watching movies and today’s choice was Dancing with Wolves. A great movie but more grateful for the time to share a wonderful movie and a little dinner with a such a marvelous man.

What were you grateful for today?