Day 297 in Gratitude

I cannot believe it's been 5 months, 150 days since my last post. I made a commitment to myself to post 365 Days in Gratitude and so I am getting back on the Gratitude horse! I'm not going to try and recap where I've been spiritually, emotionally and physically - I'm just going to jump back in.

Today is a celebration of the birth of my baby 24 years ago - I celebrate you Paulie! Happy Birthday, I am so grateful to have you in my life!

I spent the weekend on a Spiritual Retreat in Wisconsin. It is absolutely beautiful up there, on a lake and surrounded with like-minded people. Walking in nature and being close to the water always makes me feel that all is right with the world. While walking by the lake I reminded myself that this is a form of meditation and I should honor myself for being present. And so, to begin, I am grateful that I gifted myself this weekend.

I am grateful to have surrounded myself with like-minded people. We lift each other up and support each other and so I am grateful to have spent three yummy days with friends old and new.

I am grateful that Rev MaryBeth reminded me how important it is to live in gratitude. And so, I am dedicating this Day 297 to Rev MaryBeth. Thank you, thank you for pointing me back to what inspires and nourishes me - gratitude!

What are you grateful for?

Day 83 in Gratitude - A Life Of Abundance

I found this in one of my books today and it really spoke to me.

Why go through life as thought it were something to be endured, as though there were not enough good or joy to go around? Are we not always limiting the possibility of love and affection, of appreciation, and of the common everyday good things of life? If we really are in union with a Divine Source then there should come a feeling of abundance in everything we do - an abundance of friendship, of self-expression, of everything. The abundant life contains all things whether we call them big or little.

Today I expect a more abundant life. I am keeping my whole mind and thought and expectation open to new experiences, to happier events, to a more complete self-expression. Giving more love, I expect greater love in return. Sharing with others whatever good things I have, I expect all life to share with me the good that it possesses. Seeing beauty everywhere, I expect a revelation of still more beauty. Seeing joy in everything, I expect more laughter. More deeply sensing tranquility in which all things exist, I expect a deeper consciousness of peace and security. Through it all I feel that I am in the embrace of a warm, loving presence forever seeking an outlet through me. I am grateful for an abundant life.

What are you grateful for?

A Quote on Gratitude

"Remember, whatever you focus upon, increases...When you focus on the things you need, you'll find those needs increasing. If you concentrate your thoughts on what you don't have, you will soon be concentrating on other things that you had forgotten you don't have-and feel worse! If you set your mind on loss, you are more likely to lose...But a grateful perspective brings happiness and abundance into a person's life."
Andy Andrews, Law of Attraction Quotes

Day 61 in Gratitude

"We are all teachers and what we teach is what we learn. And so we teach it over and over again until we learn." from A Course In Miracles. Just as we are all students in life, we are all teachers. In fact we learn best by offering what we desire for ourselves to as many individuals as we can, as frequently as we can. If I inspire enough people for a long enough period of time, I'll learn what I need to learn - gratitude. I'm sure there are many, many other lessons for me to learn but for today - gratitude.

Today I am grateful for being open to learn. I continue to learn from the people in my life. I learn grace, patience, kindness and humbleness. Of course, then the day is over and I need to start learning all over again - hey, I'm not perfect, I'm a work in progress. Thank you, thank you, to all my teachers.

What are you grateful for?

Day 59 in Gratitude

I am grateful for every challenge that comes. I learn to release ego and embrace the challenge with an open mind and open heart. No judgment towards others or myself. There are lessons to be learned here, new chapters to uncover and embrace.


Tonight I came home confused and frustrated and disappointed in myself. After talking things through with my husband and gaining a bit of clarity, I realized I needed to get back to my yoga practice. I needed to feel grounded. I am grateful for the decision. After an hour of practice I feel a stillness that I did not have a few hours before. Thank you.

What are you grateful for?

Day 58 in Gratitude

You never hear anyone get on stage after winning the Oscar saying, "I did this all myself."

I'm so inspired watching the gratitude speeches. Every actor seems not to have enough time thanking each and every individual who helped and supported them on their journey. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we, in our everyday lives, acted as if we had just one an Oscar? Think about it...tomorrow, during your day, act as if you had just been awarded the most prestigious of awards for doing what you do. Think long and hard about every individual who has helped you get to where you are today and thank them. It doesn't matter how you thank them. Send up a prayer, write a quick note, send an email or make a phone call but please, take a moment and say thanks. Offer gratitude where gratitude is due. You will brighten someone's day and in turn, brighten your own.

I would like to thank my husband for always being there to support each and every one of my dreams.

I would like to thank my boys for enduring my constant quirkiness and never ending embarrassing moments of hugs and kisses when their friends were around.

And most of all, I'd like to thank God for giving me the opportunity to just be - I am so enjoying the ride...thank you!!

What are you grateful for?

Day 55 in Gratitude

Day 53 in Gratitude - 10 Influential People Living in Gratitude

I feel so strongly that changing the way you think can and will change your life and I want to share that with you, my readers. So tonight I decided to make a list (in no significant order) of some very influential people in my life who have taught me the powerful process of gratitude. Some of these quotes are from the book The Secret by Rhonda Byrne.

1. Dr Joe Vitale - "What can you do right now to begin to turn your life around? The very first thing is to start making a list of things to be grateful for. This shifts your energy and starts to shit your thinking. Whereas before this exercise you might be focusing on what you don't have, your complaints, and your problems, you go in a different direction when you do this exercise. You start to be grateful for all the things that you feel good about."

2. Wallace Wattles - "If it is a new thought to you that gratitude brings your whole mind into closer harmony with the creative energies of the Universe, consider it well, and you will see that it is true."

3. Marci Shimoff - "Gratitude is absolutely the way to bring more into your life."

4. Dr. John Gray - "Every man knows that when his wife is appreciating him for the little things that he does, what does he want to do? He wants to do more.
It's always about appreciation. It pulls things in. It attracts support."

5. Dr. John Demartini - "Whatever we think about and thank about we bring about."

6. James Ray - Gratitude has been such a powerful exercise for me. Every morning I get up and say THANK YOU. Every morning, when my feet hit the floor THANK YOU. And then I start running through what I'm grateful for, as I'm brushing my teeth and doing the things I do in the morning. And I'm not just thinking about them and doing some rote routine. I'm putting it out there and I'm feeling the feelings of gratitude."

7. Rev. Michael Beckwith - “The enlightened give thanks for what most people take for granted. As you begin to be grateful for what most people take for granted, that vibration of gratitude makes you more receptive to good in your life.”

8. Dr. Wayne Dyer - "Without exception, I begin every day of my life with an expression of gratitude. As I look in the mirror to begin my daily ritual of shaving, I say, “Thank you, God, for this life, for my body, for my family and loved ones, for this day, and for the opportunity to be of service. Thank you, thank you, thank you!” "Gratitude and humility send signals to all who meet us that we’re all connected to something larger than life itself."

9. Gay Hendricks - “Lead with the heart. We can learn to walk through life with a feeling of gratitude for life itself. Having a field of gratitude around us clears a positive path through life in which every step we take is in the right direction."

10. Louise L. Hay - "When I awaken in the morning the first thing I do before I open my eyes is thank my bed for a good night's sleep. I am grateful for the warmth and comfort it has given me. From that beginning, it is very easy to think of many, many more things to be grateful for. By the time I've gotten out of bed, I have expressed gratitude for 80-100 different people, places, things and experiences in my life. This is a great way to start the day."

A grateful mind can't help but be happy and content. I am grateful for all these wonderful teachers!

What are you grateful for?

Day 42 in Gratitude

I've been flirting with the stomach flu for a few days now; fever, upset stomach, the works! I keep telling myself I'm well, I'm healthy. I'm not sure I'm succeeding. I am grateful for a night of snoozing on the couch because honestly, I think I'm just worn down a bit.

A grateful mind continually expects good things, and expectation becomes faith. The reaction of gratitude upon one’s own mind produces faith. Every outgoing wave of grateful thanksgiving increases faith. I am grateful to be on the path I am on.

I was listening to Daniel Nahmod's Water cd on the way home from work today. There are lyrics to the song 'Water' that I so strive for, "Have you ever seen an eagle head straight into the wind, he doesn't pick a fight, he spreads his wings and just gives in. And in the end he always makes it home just fine." I've always struggled with control issues. I always think that I have to have it all figured out, to know exactly where I'm headed and have written the map to get there. The more I grow, the more I realize I just need to have faith. I am grateful for my faith that keeps me grounded.

What are you grateful for?

Day 35 in Gratitude

As Buddha sat under the Bodhi tree waiting for enlightenment, two musicians were arguing about the sound they were trying to get from their stringed instrument and distracted him. He was weak and tired from not eating or taking care of his body, but he wanted to see what was causing the commotion, and so he dragged himself closer to hear them. One musician would tighten the strings, and the other would cry, "Not too tight because you will break the string." The other would counter by saying, "Not too loose because the string will only buzz and rattle - in the middle is just right." The master heard the wisdom contained in their argument and declared, "That's it! That's the key...perfect balance!" Not too tight yet not too loose, not too high yet not too low. The middle path is the way!

For the past 11 days I have worked without a day off. Today, I could have gone into work, exhausted and unproductive, but I could have gone in nonetheless. I chose to stay home and rest providing myself a well deserved respite. Too much work leaves me lifeless and too much rest leaves me unmotivated. I chose to strive for perfect balance! I am thankful for taking today to rest and recharge.

Over the past few months I have been trying to develop the capacity to observe rather than analyze. This includes observing people rather than analyzing, observing situations rather than analyzing, and observing conversation rather than analyzing. This is not an easy task (and many times requires me to bite my tongue) but one that I believe will only help me grow mentally and spiritually. I am a work in progress but for that alone, I am grateful.

My husband and I have great conversation. Today was no exception. We're both dreamers by nature and sometimes can come up with the most outrageously decadent dreams! I love that about our relationship and I am grateful to have him as a partner.

What are you grateful for?

Dalai Lama on Gratitude

“Everyday, think as you wake up, today I am fortunate to be alive, I have a precious human life, I am not going to waste it. I am going to use all my energies to develop myself, to expand my heart out to others; to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings. I am going to have kind thoughts towards others, I am not going to get angry or think badly about others. I am going to benefit others as much as I can.” – Dalai Lama

Day 30 in Gratitude

New York has been slammed with snow this year! I just flew into the city and driving to Manhattan saw cars parked on some streets in little car igloos while other streets were completely cleared. They're expecting even more snow in the next few days! I am grateful to have had no weather affecting the flight in.

I was watching a new company set up their booth yesterday. I'm attending a trade show with hundreds of vendors promoting and selling their wares. Watching the booth next to ours during set up was very entertaining. 4-5 women, each with their own agenda, their own mission to make the booth look exquisite. They may have come with a solidarity plan, but from an outsiders view, they all seemed to have read the blue prints differently. I'm assuming that each of these women were, in their own right, highly creative. The entertaining aspect of all of this was watching these women try and push their creative ideas of booth design and merchandising on each of the other women. Chaos! Hours upon hours were spent putting up a display only to tear it down within a matter of minutes to put it up all over again. The funny thing is, today - the booth was packed with buyers - packed! After days of chaos and a bit of arguing, this booth was humming with business. I went over today to meet these women. They are all very strong, very smart business women who have nothing but respect for each of their partners. To watch these women the day before the show opened, one would believe that nothing would work out for them. Today, they came together and worked as a cohesive team, like a well-oiled machine. The art of collaboration and compromise was at work and it worked very well for them. I am grateful to be surrounded by such strong, motivated and creative women who have made a successful business for themselves while never compromising who they are and what they believe in. Congratulations!

I didn't sleep very well last night. Waking up at 3:30am in a hotel room when you're exhausted from a travel day is not the best way to start the trip. But tonight, I will sleep. So I am grateful to KNOW that tonight, I will get a great nights sleep, wake refreshed and ready to conquer the day!

What are you grateful for?

Day 26 in Gratitude

Self-Development is taking personal responsibility for one's own learning and development through a process of assessment, reflection, and taking action. The first tenant of positive self development is continuous learning. We don't exist in a vacuum, and we are constantly shaping and being shaped by our environment. That was very clear to me today. In my mind, I am poised, confident, calm, keep a positive attitude and stay focused. In reality, I am subject to my emotions, others moods, and the overall atmosphere of the office environment just like everyone else. In a nutshell, I saw and heard myself go down the very path that I try so desperately to stay off of. The dreaded NEGATIVITY PATH! Driving home going over the events of the day I made a pact to myself that the next time a situation arises, I will stop, take a deep breath and tell myself to look at the situation from a new and positive direction. Today, I am grateful that I am on a path of self awareness and also that I realize I am a work in progress.

I have nothing but respect for everyone I work with. I work with a group of creatives and they never cease to amaze me. The process in which they develop and design product is awe-inspiring. I am grateful to be working with such talented individuals.

I had a wonderful evening talking with a young woman who has decided to take her life into her own hands and develop and action plan to add passion and clarity to her life. I can only hope that I will keep her focused and add inspiration to her growth and development process. I am thankful to be a part of this wonderful process.

What are you grateful for?

Feeling Our Life, Finding Our Life's Work

This is an article found on Daily OM that needs to be repeated.

The way we know we are doing our life's work is by how we feel when we are doing it.


Sometimes it takes us the better part of a lifetime to discover our life's work, even though we may have been doing it our whole lives without necessarily realizing it. Our life's work is not always what we do to make money, although we often think it should be, and sometimes this way of thinking prevents us from seeing clearly what it is. It may be the work of having children, caring for them, and running a household. The way we know our life's work is by how we feel when we are doing it.

When we are doing our life's work, we feel an uncanny sense of ease and alignment. This doesn't mean that the work is always easy, and it doesn't mean that it's the only work we have to do; it just means that there is a conviction deep inside us that tells us we are in tune with our innermost self. When we are engaged in our life's work, our bodies feel more alive, because our energy is devoted to a cause that, in turn, feeds us. We may be tired after engaging in our life's work, but we are almost never depleted. We feel grounded in the world, knowing that we belong here and have something important to offer.

When we are deeply unhappy, depressed, or subject to one illness after another, this may be due to a sense of disconnection from our life's work. At times like these, finding the work we are meant to do is an essential act of healing. Most of us remember a time when we felt fully engaged in some act of work, service or creativity, and it is here that we may rediscover the work we are meant to do now. On the other hand, it may be time to explore what inspires us through volunteering, taking a class, going back to school, or just doing whatever it is we long to try. We all have callings, and when we find them, we owe it to ourselves to nurture and protect them, because while they may or may not be our livelihood, they are the keys to our wellbeing.

I feel drawn to my 365 Days In Gratitude blog to be an inspiration to myself and others. My life's work? Probably not all of it but it certainly is a major part. I hope you feel inspired.

Make it a great day and GO BEARS!

January 19, 2011 Full Moon

I just had to post one more time before going to bed tonight. Have you looked out your window and taken in the moon in all it's glory?!? It's absolutely breathtaking. I am thankful I have eyes to see such beauty. Thank you, thank you.

Day 19 in Gratitude

How can one person possibly have a lasting impact on the rest of the world? By changing themselves and serving as an example for all those around them. Start small and the whole world may soon follow suit.

I am thankful I am finally home! The flight out of Atlanta this morning went off without incident. We landed safely in Chicago and all I could do was yell "Woo Hoo!"

My honey was at the airport to give me the biggest, wettest kiss in a long time.

I missed him so and am grateful to have him in my life.

I am grateful that this trip was very successful. Even with the weather affecting attendance, we had a lot of positive outcomes.

I am also grateful to be sleeping in my own bed tonight ;-)

What are you grateful for?

Day 5 in Gratitude

Today I went to a wake for a 30 year old woman who gave up her battle to lung cancer. She was adopted as a baby and reunited with her biological family about 6 years ago. Sitting at the funeral home, watching the dynamics of a blended family. Some were mourning the loss of a sister they had known for 30 yrs. Some were mourning a sister they had known for 6 years. I don't even know where I'm going with this thought except to say that I was so moved by all the love in the room.

I am blessed to have my family. They love me unconditionally and I them.

I am grateful for being able to witness the dynamics of that blended family. It gave me such a sense of that same unconditional love.

I am grateful that my husband is feeling better. The antibiotics are starting to kick some bacteria butt. He's still lacking energy but coughing less which means we'll both get a better night's sleep tonight!

What are you grateful for?

Another year over, a new one just begun

There's a specific lyric in the song Happy Christmas by John Lennon that makes me stop in my tracks and do a bit of soul searching every time I hear it. "so this is Christmas, and what have you done? another year over, a new one just begun"

I always stop and contemplate...what HAVE I done? Have I given a little kindness, have I eased a little pain? Have I made a difference in the world?

I have made a commitment to myself that in 2011 I will leave something behind. I will become more active in my community, I will share of myself more freely and, I will Be The Change I Want To See In The World!

And so, this year, my commitment is to start an on-line Gratitude Journal. For years I have kept a gratitude journal by my bedside.Every night, before falling asleep, I leave a journal entry of 3-5 things that I am grateful for. Some nights these entries are very topical, sometimes deeply thought out, but always from my heart. It has kept me grounded. It reminds me on a daily basis, even in times of trial, when things seem to be going in a direction that I never planned I always have so much to be thankful for.

I look forward to a blissfully joyful, love filled, sometimes painful, ever changing new year filled with adventure. And at the end of every day - gratitude. Gratitude for being blessed with the opportunity to breathe in another day.