I sat near a woman. We began chatting. She opened up and shared that she had lost a child several years back, an event devastating to her life. Then, several years later, while grocery shopping, she had a terrible fall and was hurt so badly that she now has to walk with a cane. She endures daily pain in her body. And, to top it off, she had cancer last year. Yet, she was incredibly positive and optimistic--she had decided to find good in every aspect of her life.
As I sat listening, I took perspective. Yes, each of us has our own set of challenges. And, I have had my share the past year. But, I realized quickly how grateful I am. To wake up each morning pain free and be able to walk briskly is a blessing! To have a healthy body is a gift from God. To have my two children laughing and enjoying life, growing before my very eyes, is amazing. To be surrounded by friends and families who care deeply about me is something to celebrate.
I GIVE THANKS. I GIVE THANKS.
I JUST GIVE THANKS.
I GIVE THANKS FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART AND AT THE TOP OF MY LUNGS.
I GIVE THANKS.
Albert Einstein had it right when he said, “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” With that perspective, I recommend we each take a look around our lives:
What miracles have you been ignoring?
What marvels have you gotten so used to that you take for granted?
Why not this week look at your life with fresh eyes? Seek to remember and appreciate the teeniest blessings to the gigantic ones.
And, meditate on these beautiful words:
“We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.”
Cynthia Ozick
“Can you see the holiness in those things you take for granted–a paved road or a washing machine? If you concentrate on finding what is good in every situation, you will discover that your life will suddenly be filled with gratitude, a feeling that nurtures the soul.”
Rabbi Harold Kushner
“We can be thankful to a friend for a few acres or a little money; and yet for the freedom and command of the whole earth, and for the great benefits of our being, our life, health, and reason, we look upon ourselves as under no obligation.”
Marcus Annaeus Seneca
“Thou that has given so much to me,
Give one thing more–a grateful heart;
Not thankful when it pleaseth me,
As if thy blessings had spare days;
But such a heart, whose pulse may be
Thy praise.”
– George Herbert
Then, do as Meister Eckhart recommended, “If the only prayer you say in your life is thank you, that would suffice.”
I GIVE THANKS!
And, I send you thanks for taking the time to read my blog on a regular basis. This week we will hit 25,000 views! It feels amazing to live my purpose and share these heartfelt thoughts with each one of you.
Feel free to share this blog.
With a smile,
Patricia Omoqui, The Thought Dr.
http://www.patriciaomoqui.com
Be Thankful
Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire,
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?
Be thankful when you don’t know something
For it gives you the opportunity to learn.
Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.
Be thankful for your limitations
Because they give you opportunities for improvement.
Be thankful for each new challenge
Because it will build your strength and character.
Be thankful for your mistakes
They will teach you valuable lessons.
Be thankful when you’re tired and weary
Because it means you’ve made a difference.
It is easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are
also thankful for the setbacks.
GRATITUDE can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles
and they can become your blessings.
Author Unknown
