Gratitude is an Attitude by Diana McCollum

A lifetime avid reader, DIANA MCCOLLUM loves creating worlds where anything is possible. Always with an element of the paranormal her stories end with a happily-ever-after. Her latest release is The Witch with the Trident Tattoo.

picture from Studio1

Reposted from November 2014

When I worked, I often listened to talk radio host Dr. Laura and she used to say, “Gratitude is an Attitude”.  When something goes wrong in my life I repeat those words to myself.  It helps dispel the depressed feelings and set my keel on a different course.  One can wallow in self-pity, but what’s the point?

Happiness is not found in the material objects we accumulate, money or our jobs, but rather in strong, healthy relationships , romantic and platonic.  Women more than men seem to thrive best with a large circle of caring friends.  I know my friends old and new mean the world to me.  Even my electronic friends I’ve never met in person.  It means a lot to share in their achievements, give kudos for a job well done, and support when they're having a bad day.

I feel the joy of life comes from the small things.  A cup of coffee with a friend at the local book store, my husband braiding me a leather hat band for my favorite old cowboy hat, seeing on the loop that a friend has published her first book, or another friend had a successful surgery!

picture by Yurii Bezrukov from the Ukraine

So celebrate those small moments of Joy.  Watch the sunset on a cold winter’s day and look at the beauty of it, don’t wish it wasn’t so cold.

When you live far away from family as I do, instead of being sad, Skype and write letters to the Grandkids.

My most cherished letter came from my granddaughter Sophia, 7 years old; it ends with her writing, “I’ll always love you, love, Sophia.”  That letter has brought me more Joy than I can express.  Every time I read it I get a tear in my eye and I feel happy and loved.  The letter hangs on my bulletin board.

Can’t go on that big European vacation this year?  Do a Stay-cation and enjoy sites close to home and be joyful you didn’t spend an arm and a leg to get there.

Tired of cooking the same old thing?  Pull out a cookbook or go online to find a new recipe and be joyful you can afford to buy food.

My five joyful moments this past month are:

1) Receiving a Sponge Bob Square Pants thank you post card from my friend’s sons.  This made me laugh and brought back memories of reading “Sponge Bob Square Pants” books to my grandkids.

2) ) My husband surprising me with that braided hat band.  It took some work on his part, very special.

3) My grandson Erik texting me thanks for his birthday present and that he misses us.  Made my day!

4) Attending a Christmas get together with my central Oregon writer friends at Paty’s house.  Laughing and enjoying the company of those wonderful ladies!

5) Bringing Mom home from the hospital, so she would be home for Christmas.  Very joyful indeed!

picture by PayPhoto

My promise to myself this year is to enjoy the small moments in life and hike on down the road to happiness!

 After all, “Gratitude is an Attitude”.

What are some of your small joyful moments?

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A Truly Blessed Thanksgiving

Hi! I’m Paranormal Romance Author Sarah Raplee.

This Thanksgiving has not turned out the way my husband and I had planned. We looked forward to going over the mountains for a family Thanksgiving at my mother, sister and brother-in-law’s home. My youngest son’s family will be there.  Many nieces and nephews and their children are driving ten or more hours to visit this year. We so wanted to see them!

Unfortunately, my husband had some recent health issues that drained our bank account, so we decided to remain at home this year. We’ll visit over the mountains at Christmastime, but we’ll miss the big family reunion at Thanksgiving. Sniff.

SARAH  RAPLEE

At first I was bummed, but when I looked past my disappointment I realized how incredibly lucky I am. My husband, best friend and hero of forty-four years (on Dec. 4^th) is still with me.

As long as we’re together for Thanksgiving, it will be a lovely holiday. We’ll have a whole day to relax and enjoy each other’s company.

Now that’s something to look forward to!

May your Thanksgiving be as blessed as mine!
~Sarah

Thank you for reading my blog post. I'd love to have you visit my website
www.sarahraplee.com . 

Four Ways I Find Gratitude Now

by

Christy Carlyle

I'm a planner, a list maker. I have multiple topical and categorized To Do lists, not just one. And I like to think long-term. My husband and I often talk about moving to Britain "someday," but I recently told him we should pinpoint a timeline and start planning, even if it's ten years from now. For some reason, he laughed at my suggestion.

Because I am always looking to the future, to goals and aspirations I want to achieve, I have to be conscientious, purposeful, about living in the moment and being grateful for right where I am and exactly what I have now. This moment is precious and that includes this day, this week, and this year that has seemingly flown by at lightning speed.

I am as determined to appreciate what I have now as I am to accomplish my goals in the future, but I have to admit to sometimes becoming so busy that I forget to be grateful. These are four methods I use to remind myself to embrace the moment and be grateful for the here and now.

1. Daily Gratitude Journaling - "Count your blessings." This is a phrase my grandmother used to say to me. I knew what it meant, but I didn't understand the importance of it until I grew up. I don't literally count blessings, but I do journal most days and I start or end each journal entry by naming and expressing gratitude for someone, some experience, some part of my life—right here, right now.

2. Take a Walk - When even my multiple To Do lists fail to make me feel like I can manage my life, or circumstances begin to feel overwhelming, I take a walk outdoors. Being under the open sky and in nature helps me readjust my perspective. I'm part of a much greater whole and the beauty of nature is hard to ignore.

3. Reminisce - Time flies! Where did the time go? Is it that day already? I find myself saying words like these much more often than I'd like. And it's really just another way to say I'm stressed or feel behind, that time isn't on my side but somehow seems to work against me. At such moments, it really helps me to look back. If I think the week has flown by, I'm usually not acknowledging everything I have already accomplished in three or four days. Ironically, looking back makes me feel better about where I am in the current moment.

4. Simple Pleasures - As busy I love to be, I am a big believer in

taking time to "smell the roses." And I mean that literally! My husband can attest to my inclination to stop and smell flowers I spot in the grocery store or when we're out and about. But it's not just about how good roses and hyacinths smell. Spending time looking at art, having a chat and glass of wine with a friend, or just cuddling up to watch a movie with my husband—indulgence in sweet, simple pleasures never fails to inspire a surge of gratitude and make me savor the here and now.

Do you have techniques that you use to ground you when life feels overwhelming? Are you so busy you have to remind yourself to "stop and smell the roses" like I do?

Gratitude is an Attitude

picture from Studio1

Gratitude is an Attitude

When I worked, I often listened to talk radio host Dr. Laura and she used to say, “Gratitude is an Attitude”.  When something goes wrong in my life I repeat those words to myself.  It helps dispel the depressed feelings and set my keel on a different course.  One can wallow in self-pity, but what’s the point?

Happiness is not found in the material objects we accumulate, money or our jobs, but rather in strong, healthy relationships , romantic and platonic.  Women more than men seem to thrive best with a large circle of caring friends.  I know my friends old and new mean the world to me.  Even my electronic friends I’ve never met in person.  It means a lot to share in their achievements, give kudos for a job well done, and support when they're having a bad day.

I feel the joy of life comes from the small things.  A cup of coffee with a friend at the local book store, my husband braiding me a leather hat band for my favorite old cowboy hat, seeing on the loop that a friend has published her first book, or another friend had a successful surgery!

picture by Yurii Bezrukov from the Ukraine

So celebrate those small moments of Joy.  Watch the sunset on a cold winter’s day and look at the beauty of it, don’t wish it wasn’t so cold.

When you live far away from family as I do, instead of being sad, Skype and write letters to the Grandkids.

My most cherished letter came from my granddaughter Sophia, 7 years old; it ends with her writing, “I’ll always love you, love, Sophia.”  That letter has brought me more Joy than I can express.  Every time I read it I get a tear in my eye and I feel happy and loved.  The letter hangs on my bulletin board.

Can’t go on that big European vacation this year?  Do a Stay-cation and enjoy sites close to home and be joyful you didn’t spend an arm and a leg to get there.

Tired of cooking the same old thing?  Pull out a cookbook or go online to find a new recipe and be joyful you can afford to buy food.

My five joyful moments this past month are:

1) Receiving a Sponge Bob Square Pants thank you post card from my friend’s sons.  This made me laugh and brought back memories of reading “Sponge Bob Square Pants” books to my grandkids.

2) ) My husband surprising me with that braided hat band.  It took some work on his part, very special.

3) My grandson Erik texting me thanks for his birthday present and that he misses us.  Made my day!

4) Attending a Christmas get together with my central Oregon writer friends at Paty’s house.  Laughing and enjoying the company of those wonderful ladies!

5) Bringing Mom home from the hospital, so she would be home for Christmas.  Very joyful indeed!

picture by PayPhoto

My promise to myself this year is to enjoy the small moments in life and hike on down the road to happiness!

 After all, “Gratitude is an Attitude”.

What are some of your small joyful moments?