Two days into the thirty days of gratitude, and I found much to be grateful for on an impossibly gorgeous fall day here in Kentucky. Having committed to documenting three things I am grateful for each day this month definitely has put gratitude at the forefront of my mind, as I found myself saying “thank you”, silently and out loud, throughout the day. It’s no coincidence that this heightened focus on all that is positive and good in my life put an extra spring in my step and an even bigger smile on my face. Corny, yet true! Here are three of today’s things for which I am truly grateful:
The opportunity to be in the presence of my amazing friend, Laura. Laura and I only recently became friends, and we immediately discovered that we share a heart and soul connection that makes our budding friendship even more special. We both have busy personal and professional lives, but we took time today to meet for coffee and tea andto be fully present for one another. We chatted about things from the past, where we are at this moment, and where we are going, and our chat was punctuated by laughter and “aha” moments. Laura’s positive energy and genuine beauty are palpable, and she inspires and motivates me to ask and answer the question, “Why not me?” I treasure my time with her, and every time we part ways, I already look forward to our next meeting. She is that kind of friend!
Time spent outside under clear blue skies, bright sunshine, and crisp temperatures. As I did yard work, I stopped several times to marvel at the beauty that was all around me, and I took in the scent of the pine trees and felt the delicious combination of the warmth of the sun and the near freezing temperature on my skin. Working in the yard is therapeutic for me, and my time outdoors left me feeling content with myself and my life.
The music of Pearl Jam. I rediscovered their music over the summer, and it has been a mainstay in my every day life ever since. I am passionate about music, as it sometimes expresses feelings and thoughts that I find so difficult to articulate or express, and I find that Eddie Vedder is the perfect spokesperson for many of my emotions, memories, and musings. Pearl Jam’s music resonates with me, and I am so grateful that I stumbled across their songs again.
So, there you have it, and I hope that you found much to be grateful in your own life today.
I moved from up north in Indiana where last year we received over 100 inches of snow to here in KY, Russellville area. I am a writer and a published author. I am also a caregiver for 23 years, looking for private care in my area. So wonderful to meet you. A very good friend of mine lives in Louisville
Grateful for EVERYTHING,, put everything on the list. Not one thing I am not grateful for as I know I/we create everything that happens to us so NO victim is possible, no good or bad as all roads lead home. The only job we have is to unconditionally love ourselves and then all follows. The problem for most is that it is to simple. Been in the game some 45 years now and this is my conclusion. 🙂 The ONLY attitude . . .
Davy, I absolutely love your perspective and hope to emulate your attitude of gratitude myself! You made my Monday all the better and brighter with your kind and wise words and observations, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I did something like this on Facebook in August, which is my birth month, and I had a similar hesitation. I decided to try it, as I cannot have too much gratitude in my life.
Jeb, so nice to hear from you, and I hope all is well with you and yours. I am happy and grateful to say that I am in a good place in my life right now, and I am doing what I can to build on that.
Wrote this years ago. Gratitude changed things completely.
Be Happy (A True Story)
Davy Jones
Around twenty years ago I was living in Seattle and going through hard times. I could not find satisfying work and I found this especially difficult as I had a lot of experience and a Masters degree.
To my shame I was driving a school bus to make ends meet and living with friends. I had lost my apartment. I had been through five interviews with a company and one day between bus runs they called to say I did not get the job. I went to the bus barn like a zombie of disappointment.
Later that afternoon, while doing my rounds through a quiet suburban neighborhood I had an inner wave – like a primal scream – arise from deep inside me and I thought “Why has my life become so hard?” “Give me a sign, I asked… a physical sign – not some inner voice type of thing.”
Immediately after this internal scream I pulled the bus over to drop off a little girl and as she passed she handed me an earring saying I should keep it in case somebody claimed it. The earring was stamped metal, painted black and said ‘BE HAPPY’.
At first I got angry – yeah, yeah, I thought. Then it hit me. I had been putting all of my energies into what was wrong with my life rather than what was right! I decided then and there to make a list of 50 things I was grateful for.
At first it was hard, then it got easier. One day I decided to up it to 75. That night there was a phone call for me at my friend’s house from a lady who was a manager at a large hospital. About a year earlier I had submitted a syllabus to a community college to teach a course on stress management. (Yup, you heard me. 😉 She asked me if I would do a one-day seminar for 200 hospital workers. I said yes and got the job.
My day with the hospital workers went very well. I got a standing ovation and many more days of work. To this day I KNOW that it was because I changed my attitude to gratitude.
Incidentally, the day after I found the earring the girl asked me if anyone had claimed it. I told her no and she said “I guess it was meant for you then.”
I spent the next year conducting training workshops all around the Seattle area and then decided to risk everything and go back to Scotland where I had lived previously. I closed my one man business, bought a plane ticket and got a six month visa from immigration. One month later I met my wonderful English wife and best friend of 15 years now. We live in a small beautiful cottage, two miles from a paved road in the highlands of Scotland.
‘THE ONLY ATTITUDE IS GRATITUDE’ has been my motto for years now and yes, it completely changed my life.
A very special thank you to Davy Jones for sharing his story with us! Davy was born in Chicago and now lives with his wife in Scotland. He enjoys bicycling and loves to dance.
Davy, thank you so very much for sharing your amazingly beautiful story! This is a wonderful illustration and reminder of how powerful an attitude of gratitude can be when we are mindful of the abundance and goodness in our lives. You began my day on such a positive note, and I thank you!
Thanks Kristijo ?? 27 years ago, NOW, I can find NOTHING I am not grateful. When we look back some of the very worst things have been the very best because they came with the greatest lessons. Everything is love. Davy
I love the quote photo you chose! Joseph B. Wirthlin is one of the twelve apostles of my church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). He is one of my personal favorite church leaders, and often speaks on the theme of gratitude. This month I’ve chosen to feature a song about gratitude each day on my blog to help build a “Thanksgiving Playlist”. 🙂
Kindness Blog 
Reblogged this on That's Another Story.
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I just moved to KY a month ago. Nice to meet someone else from this area
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Terry, welcome to Kentucky, and I hope you are getting settled in and enjoying it! I have lived in Louisville my entire life. Where did you move from?
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I moved from up north in Indiana where last year we received over 100 inches of snow to here in KY, Russellville area. I am a writer and a published author. I am also a caregiver for 23 years, looking for private care in my area. So wonderful to meet you. A very good friend of mine lives in Louisville
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Congratulations on your writing, and thank you for being a caregiver! I hope this move is full of more great opportunities for you and yours.
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Thank you!
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I have been thinking of doing something similar this month! It seems to be already working for you =)
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So far, so good, and I would love to see what makes your gratitude list!
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I am going to start today! =D
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That is fantastic, and I hope you will feel free to share your gratitude list.
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I decided I will =D Weekly though ~.^
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Grateful for EVERYTHING,, put everything on the list. Not one thing I am not grateful for as I know I/we create everything that happens to us so NO victim is possible, no good or bad as all roads lead home. The only job we have is to unconditionally love ourselves and then all follows. The problem for most is that it is to simple. Been in the game some 45 years now and this is my conclusion. 🙂 The ONLY attitude . . .
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Davy, I absolutely love your perspective and hope to emulate your attitude of gratitude myself! You made my Monday all the better and brighter with your kind and wise words and observations, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
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That sounds like the perfect plan!
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I’ve resisted doing this because I did it on facebook a while back. I’ve decided to go for it . . . I need it 🙂
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I did something like this on Facebook in August, which is my birth month, and I had a similar hesitation. I decided to try it, as I cannot have too much gratitude in my life.
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Reblogged this on Rosie Amber.
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Many thanks for reblogging this post, as I appreciate it!
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Kristi,
Nice post. Hope your well.
Jeb
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Jeb, so nice to hear from you, and I hope all is well with you and yours. I am happy and grateful to say that I am in a good place in my life right now, and I am doing what I can to build on that.
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Wrote this years ago. Gratitude changed things completely.
Be Happy (A True Story)
Davy Jones
Around twenty years ago I was living in Seattle and going through hard times. I could not find satisfying work and I found this especially difficult as I had a lot of experience and a Masters degree.
To my shame I was driving a school bus to make ends meet and living with friends. I had lost my apartment. I had been through five interviews with a company and one day between bus runs they called to say I did not get the job. I went to the bus barn like a zombie of disappointment.
Later that afternoon, while doing my rounds through a quiet suburban neighborhood I had an inner wave – like a primal scream – arise from deep inside me and I thought “Why has my life become so hard?” “Give me a sign, I asked… a physical sign – not some inner voice type of thing.”
Immediately after this internal scream I pulled the bus over to drop off a little girl and as she passed she handed me an earring saying I should keep it in case somebody claimed it. The earring was stamped metal, painted black and said ‘BE HAPPY’.
At first I got angry – yeah, yeah, I thought. Then it hit me. I had been putting all of my energies into what was wrong with my life rather than what was right! I decided then and there to make a list of 50 things I was grateful for.
At first it was hard, then it got easier. One day I decided to up it to 75. That night there was a phone call for me at my friend’s house from a lady who was a manager at a large hospital. About a year earlier I had submitted a syllabus to a community college to teach a course on stress management. (Yup, you heard me. 😉 She asked me if I would do a one-day seminar for 200 hospital workers. I said yes and got the job.
My day with the hospital workers went very well. I got a standing ovation and many more days of work. To this day I KNOW that it was because I changed my attitude to gratitude.
Incidentally, the day after I found the earring the girl asked me if anyone had claimed it. I told her no and she said “I guess it was meant for you then.”
I spent the next year conducting training workshops all around the Seattle area and then decided to risk everything and go back to Scotland where I had lived previously. I closed my one man business, bought a plane ticket and got a six month visa from immigration. One month later I met my wonderful English wife and best friend of 15 years now. We live in a small beautiful cottage, two miles from a paved road in the highlands of Scotland.
‘THE ONLY ATTITUDE IS GRATITUDE’ has been my motto for years now and yes, it completely changed my life.
A very special thank you to Davy Jones for sharing his story with us! Davy was born in Chicago and now lives with his wife in Scotland. He enjoys bicycling and loves to dance.
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Davy, thank you so very much for sharing your amazingly beautiful story! This is a wonderful illustration and reminder of how powerful an attitude of gratitude can be when we are mindful of the abundance and goodness in our lives. You began my day on such a positive note, and I thank you!
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Thanks Kristijo ?? 27 years ago, NOW, I can find NOTHING I am not grateful. When we look back some of the very worst things have been the very best because they came with the greatest lessons. Everything is love. Davy
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I love the quote photo you chose! Joseph B. Wirthlin is one of the twelve apostles of my church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). He is one of my personal favorite church leaders, and often speaks on the theme of gratitude. This month I’ve chosen to feature a song about gratitude each day on my blog to help build a “Thanksgiving Playlist”. 🙂
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Thanks for your kind words! I am so glad that you enjoyed this, and since I love music, I really love your idea of doing a gratitude playlist.
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Reblogged this on sueshan123blog.
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