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Archive for the ‘Relationships’ Category

Grateful for Forgiveness (TY-28)

 

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Bad moments do not make you a bad person. ~ Dr. Angi

We all have our “moments”, but those moments do not make us bad people. Each of us have our own unique sensitivities and coping skills. Another’s actions may or may not evoke a reaction from me; but, it would evoke a reaction from someone else.  That reaction does not make that person bad. It is only when he or she is not sorry for the reaction or bad moment that would taint his or her character.

Empower your loved ones. Give them the opportunity to forgive you and to need them. People feel valued and appreciated when you consider their emotions, ask for forgiveness and/or help. Our vulnerabilities such as bad moments make us human; furthermore, love yourself enough to forgive yourself. We cannot go on forever holding onto the bad moments in our lives. Why relive them? It is better to move forward and do better next time. How we choose to act after our bad moments is what really counts.

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I am deeply grateful for forgiveness. It empowers me to let go of hurts, fears and negativity, whether I am forgiving others, myself or giving others the opportunity to forgive me. A little compassion to ourselves and others goes a long we toward creating peace, harmony and joy. Lots of positive actions and feelings do come from letting go of the hurts and negativity. Forgiveness is key to happiness, which is a very good reason to appreciate it. Let go of the hurt and the shame. Forgive others and yourself.

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Grateful for Mom’s Hands (TY-26)

Today I wish to express my deepest appreciation for my mother and her hands. She has done countless deeds to make our lives wonderful. She is a phenomenal wife to my father and an extraordinary caretaker for my sister and I. Her gifts and talents are numerous. Her love for us is endless. There is nothing in the world I would not do for her. Yet, she expects nothing in return but our happiness. My mother is the epitome of unconditional love for which I am profoundly grateful. Thank you, mommy.

Her Hands

© Maggie Pittman

Her hands held me gently from the day I took my first breath.
Her hands helped to guide me as I took my first step.
Her hands held me close when the tears would start to fall.
Her hands were quick to show me that she would take care of it all.

Her hands were there to brush my hair, or straighten a wayward bow.
Her hands were often there to comfort the hurts that didn’t always show.
Her hands helped hold the stars in place, and encouraged me to reach.
Her hands would clap and cheer and praise when I captured them at length.

Her hands would also push me, though not down or in harm’s way.
Her hands would punctuate the words, just do what I say.
Her hands sometimes had to discipline, to help bend this young tree.
Her hands would shape and mold me into all she knew I could be.

Her hands are now twisting with age and years of work,
Her hand now needs my gentle touch to rub away the hurt.
Her hands are more beautiful than anything can be.
Her hands are the reason I am me.

Source: Her Hands, Mother Poem http://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/her-hands#ixzz2DYWQnTVE
www.FamilyFriendPoems.com

As promised in yesterday’s blog (Grateful for Goodness), here is the image of the 3 “tree canvas ornaments” I made for my friend Lorrie B. Jonas and the tree she is contributing to the A Festival of Trees fundraiser (http://www.festivaloftreesutah.org/). If you are interested in donating artwork, join this group on Facebook: Festival Of Trees-Artist Around The World Tree. She needs to have the artwork no later than November 30, 2013. I am mailing these out today.

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Grateful for Goodness (TY-25)

As we appreciate the goodness in the world and in people, we plant seeds, nurture these seeds and create roots for more goodness to grow in the world and develop in people. More and more, I am seeing some wonderfully kind deeds being done, large and small. This is the time of year, where there are so many opportunities to contribute time and resources to others. People tend to be just a bit more kinder this time of year as we approach Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and Christmas.

I know of many people who are finding ways to help. I have a friend in Utah, who is putting together a Christmas Tree to be auctioned to the highest bidder as a fundraiser for a Children’s Hospital. It will be covered in handmade art from contributing artists. I am honored to be one of the contributing artists. I have hand-painted 3 small canvases that will be hung on that Christmas Tree. I deeply appreciate every time I witness others helping others. I am grateful that people do know how to come together and contribute time and resources when others really need it. All this goodness is appreciated. Thank goodness!

P.S. I will post images of the art I made tomorrow; I made 3 canvases, which are almost complete. They just need to dry.

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Grateful for Enthusiasm (TY-15)

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I truly appreciate enthusiasm especially in others. It is fun to be enthusiastic and it is wonderful to see enthusiasm in others. It is contagious. Enthusiasm is one of my favorite words as it expresses joy in action; it is having a keen interest, excitement, fervor or zeal in a cause or subject. It is cheerful and exciting because it expresses a higher level of energy. It is being passionate with joy for those items in our life that we consider important. Enthusiasm is a word that has its origins in the Greek language for “inspired by God.”

Enthusiasm is tossed into a group of such delicious words  such as: ardor, avidity, conviction, craze, dash, devotion, eagerness, earnestness, ecstasy, élan, emotion, energy, exhilaration, fanaticism, feeling, fervor,  fire, flame, flare, frenzy, fury, gaiety, glow, gusto, heat, hilarity, hobby, impetuosity, intensity, interest, joy, keenness, life, mania, mirth, nerve, oomph, orgasm, passion, pep, rapture, relish, snap, spirit, transport, vehemence, verve, vim, vivacity, warmth, zeal, zealousness, and zest

Norman Vincent Peale stated, “If you have zest and enthusiasm you attract zest and enthusiasm. Life does give back in kind.” 

I agree wholeheartedly with Norman Vincent Peale. I have yet to find people who are not affected by my enthusiasm. Case in point, as I was returning from a bittersweet trip to Rhode Island and I was standing among many tired co-travelers as we waited at the gate for our carry-on luggage that was too large for the overhead compartments. No one was smiling except me.

Taking notice of all the glum and weariness, I made a point to become enthusiastic about getting my luggage, having made a safe trip to our destination and being minutes away from a warm bed.  I soon had most of us equally enthusiastic, too. It was great to see others smile with me. I think there was only one older woman in her twilight years who hung onto her scowl. Given a little more time, I believe I would have gotten a hint of a smile from her, too. 

This leads me to a quote by Charles Schwab, “A man can succeed at almost anything for which he has unlimited enthusiasm.”  And, Vince Lombardi said, “If you aren’t fired with enthusiasm, you will be fired with enthusiasm.” (He cracks me up!)  Ralph Waldo Emerson stated, “Enthusiasm is the mother of effort, and without it nothing great was ever achieved.”  

In the words of Henry Ford: Enthusiasm is the yeast that makes your hopes shine to the stars. Enthusiasm is the sparkle in your eyes, the swing in your gait. The grip of your hand, the irresistible surge of will and energy to execute your ideas.

In my words, enthusiasm is the twinkle in my toes and the wiggle in my nose; it is the swing in my hips and the smile upon my lips! Enthusiasm is the thumping of my heart to the beat of my ideas that drums out a rhythm of inspiration for all to see. 

Oliver Wendell Holmes wonderfully sums it up, “It’s FAITH IN something and  ENTHUSIASM FOR something that makes LIFE WORTH LIVING.” Are you embracing your ENTHUSIASM FOR something?

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Grateful for Teachers (TY-21)

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Teachers come in many forms. You have your traditional classroom teachers and then you have people, situations and events in your life, which may teach you life lessons. These teachers in our lives are very important whether they be people, situations or events, because they help us to experience things and gain wisdom. I deeply appreciate all the different and unexpected teachers in my life.

Some came in the form of heart breaks, natural disasters and embarrassing situations; and, others came in the form of significant people in my life including traditional teachers. I am grateful for the bullies who taunted me, because they taught me resilience. I am grateful for the fears in my life, because they taught me courage. I am grateful for the wants and desires in my life, because they taught me patience. Every life lesson had a teacher for whom and which I value and appreciate.

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Grateful for Veterans (TY-20)

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Today, I would like to recognize and appreciate veterans. I often do not think about all the wonderful men and women who have devoted their lives to defend our wonderful country (United States of America); yet, many of my dearest friends and a few of my relatives have served in the armed branches  (Navy, Air Force, Army, National Guard, Coast Guard and Marines) . They are honorable people and I love them dearly. 

I appreciate the time they spent away from their families to serve under uncertain conditions to maintain our military presence and protect/inspire democracy in unstable areas of the world. I am grateful for their sense of duty, their enthusiasm, and their self-discipline. While, I value and appreciate all the veterans in my life, today I would like to thank every veteran for their honorable services to our great nation. I salute you! 

 

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Grateful for Differences (TY-17)

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A world without differences would not only be boring, but it would also be stagnant that is without growth and learning experiences. I am grateful for differences, whether it be difference of opinion or different styles and trends. Differences allow each of us to be unique and to stand out. Differences allow us to be imaginative and creative.

Without difference, everyone and everything would be the same, right? For example, everyday would be the same with the same weather, the time would not change, there would only be one species of the same gender speaking the same language thinking the same thing…it could get quite nonsensical. Right? I deeply appreciate having variety, contrasts and differences. These differences are in fact necessary. Viva la difference.

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Grateful for Friendship (TY-16)

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Friendships can often be taken for granted, especially those long-standing since childhood. I deeply appreciate all the interpersonal relationships I have and had in my life. Each person with whom I engaged in conversations, activities and other events have played a significant role in molding who I am today. I deeply care about each of my friends, no matter how long I have known them and no matter if I have ever met them face-to-face or not.

Each interaction has been special and I am grateful for each moment we shared, whether we exchanged e-mails, comments, talked on the phone, responded or posted on Facebook, Tweeted, blogged, etc. I deeply appreciate the time involved and the thoughts behind each moment, where you have thought about me. Thank you so very much for being a part of my life!

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Grateful for Kindness (TY-15)

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We are blessed to be in a world where most people value kindness and compassion. I am extremely grateful for kindness and those who practice it daily. Witnessing kindness in action is one of the most uplifting events to observe.

I am grateful to be able to practice love and kindness daily in every aspect of my life. Love and kindness brings such value to my life and my purpose. I am an advocate of kindness and I delight in promoting love and kindness in everything I write, paint and do. Focusing on kindness, brings more kindness to myself and others. Kindness is the center of my being.   I profoundly appreciate kindness.

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Grateful for Smiles (TY-12)

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Smiles uplift my spirits, especially the unexpected smiles of strangers. I genuinely appreciate the smiles of others. No matter how my day is going, a smile brings me up.

This simple facial gesture conveys an unspoken message that everything is going to be alright and you are wonderful just as you are. A smile is an expression of kindness in which the joyous spirit of another touches the hearts of all who witness that smile. A smile is easy and simple to do; and, it is a small thing that often makes a big difference in the lives of others. I am very grateful for smiles.

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