There are less than ten days left in this month of gratitude, and I am determined to end it feeling even more grateful and positive than ever. Thanks to all of the goodness that I am now focused on in my life and all of your kind feedback, I am confident that I can do just that, especially if I have even more great days like today. Here is what made the gratitude list on this warm and sunny Saturday:
A good morning text. Instead of waking up to an alarm clock, I woke up to the sound of my cell phone alerting me that I had a text message. I was grateful to find a funny text message to start my day with a smile and a laugh, and it felt really nice to be thought of first thing in the morning. It definitely beats an alarm clock!
Feeling unpleasant emotions and then letting them go. I noticed that I was feeling a bit out of sorts today, but instead of it being something negative, it ended up being something that I gave thanks for today. In the past, when unpleasant emotions have risen to the surface, they have commandeered my day and set off waves of anxiety and/or depression. But not today. Today, I acknowledged how I felt and made sure that I acted and thought my way through it in a way that didn’t leave me in a whirlwind of negativity. It didn’t take long for these feelings to dissipate, and when they exited, I was thankful, not just because they were now gone, but because it reminded me of the progress that I have made to get to a good place now. To quote Eddie Vedder: “The sorrow grows bigger when the sorrow’s denied
I only know my mind
I am mine”
News that my daughters and their dad arrived safely at their destination. Our daughters will be spending the Thanksgiving holiday with their dad and some of the members of his family, and while I will miss them, I am glad that they will be with people who love them. I was relieved and grateful that they had a smooth and safe flight, and I appreciate their dad for taking them on this latest adventure.
My hope is that this Saturday has been one that has left you with much to be grateful for and that you find your own special way to say ‘thank you’ for all of it!
Isn’t it awesome when, (as you said in #2) the negative and or unpleasant emotions creep up on us,that we have the power AND the choice to embrace them, learn from them and then release them. When such feelings as these happen with me I have learned to simply “Let go” of what doesn’t serve me. And what a magnificent feeling it is when the negative no longer weighs heavy on the shoulders! Great post…(again) Have a great rest of the week-end!
This definitely has been an ongoing process for me, and I am relishing the triumph over negative thoughts and emotions that I experienced earlier today. It is truly freeing, and it made way for more goodness and light in my life. Many thanks for your ongoing support, and I hope that your weekend is filled with great joy, love, and peace!
Dealing with negative thoughts and emotions is definitely an ongoing process for me as well….still very difficult but working it every day. Thank you again for your inspiring posts.
Sheila, just remember, it’s all about progress, not perfection. So, celebrate your successes, and know that your journey is shared by many others, including myself.
I am thankful to have a lovely day and have the opportunity to go to church. I am trying to do this now. To focus on the positives, not the negatives in my life. 😍
Giving thanks gets interesting when we realize there is NOTHING to not give thanks for !!!!! besides we chose every single moment of this experience. Constantly babbling thanksgiving, Don’t forget to be thankful your windshield wipers, pillows, dish cloths and water glasses, ‘O’ and the end tables 🙂 🙂
This is inspiring! I (like so many) often struggle with the negative emotions and I ruminate on them but it’s wonderful to hear about people who turn them into something to be grateful for. I’m going to make a really big effort to try and put a positive spin on those negative thoughts–thanks!
Tallulah, thank you for your kind words and for sharing your own struggles with something I am all too familiar with. It is a daily practice to control the negative thoughts and feelings without denying/repressing them, and it really is all about progress, not perfection. Take heart that you are not alone in this at all!
Kindness Blog 
Reblogged this on That's Another Story.
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Isn’t it awesome when, (as you said in #2) the negative and or unpleasant emotions creep up on us,that we have the power AND the choice to embrace them, learn from them and then release them. When such feelings as these happen with me I have learned to simply “Let go” of what doesn’t serve me. And what a magnificent feeling it is when the negative no longer weighs heavy on the shoulders! Great post…(again) Have a great rest of the week-end!
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This definitely has been an ongoing process for me, and I am relishing the triumph over negative thoughts and emotions that I experienced earlier today. It is truly freeing, and it made way for more goodness and light in my life. Many thanks for your ongoing support, and I hope that your weekend is filled with great joy, love, and peace!
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Dealing with negative thoughts and emotions is definitely an ongoing process for me as well….still very difficult but working it every day. Thank you again for your inspiring posts.
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Sheila, just remember, it’s all about progress, not perfection. So, celebrate your successes, and know that your journey is shared by many others, including myself.
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I am thankful to have a lovely day and have the opportunity to go to church. I am trying to do this now. To focus on the positives, not the negatives in my life. 😍
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It sounds like a lovely day, and I am so glad you found some things to be grateful for today. You can do this!
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Giving thanks gets interesting when we realize there is NOTHING to not give thanks for !!!!! besides we chose every single moment of this experience. Constantly babbling thanksgiving, Don’t forget to be thankful your windshield wipers, pillows, dish cloths and water glasses, ‘O’ and the end tables 🙂 🙂
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So very true and what a great reminder! Every day really is Thanksgiving:)
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Kristi, number three, as a parent and son, brings me great comfort. Knowing everyone is safe and sound is beyond priceless. Thanks, BTG
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I agree, as it is something I usually take for granted, but with the recent death of my friend’s son, I no longer do.
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This is inspiring! I (like so many) often struggle with the negative emotions and I ruminate on them but it’s wonderful to hear about people who turn them into something to be grateful for. I’m going to make a really big effort to try and put a positive spin on those negative thoughts–thanks!
Best,
Tallulah
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Tallulah, thank you for your kind words and for sharing your own struggles with something I am all too familiar with. It is a daily practice to control the negative thoughts and feelings without denying/repressing them, and it really is all about progress, not perfection. Take heart that you are not alone in this at all!
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