a tickle of words to create smiles

Posts tagged ‘Thankfulness’

Grateful for Hugs (TY-31)

I deeply appreciate hugs! A hug is like ice cream or candy for the heart and soul! It is that delicious, warm and loving embrace that displays the affections of another compassionate and caring being. I feel that hugs are best when they are unexpected. Incoming…..surprise hug! Those really make my day!

Hugs do not have to be reserved for other people. You can wrap those lovely arms around yourself as well as others and squeeze! Go ahead. Go on! Do it right now!!! (((BIG HUG!!!))) You have been virtually hugged by me! (Big grin) How did it feel? Virtual hugs feel almost as good as the real thing.

Have you ever spontaneously hugged someone you do not know? I have. Those are the best because there are no expectations attached and because it was unexpected. That is what I call a double blessing. I challenge anyone who reads this blog to hug at least one person they do not know before the New Year. I bet it will be appreciated. Go on and be a hugger (and not a bugger).  Hugs! 

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Grateful for Food and Home (TY – 8)

ako-oct24-2013

The bare necessities such as food and shelter are things most of us take for granted; yet, it is very important that we appreciate the food we have to eat and the home we have to protect us from the outdoor environment. I deeply appreciate having nutritious meals daily. My husband and I almost always express thanksgiving before each meal no matter where we are (whether it be at home, at a restaurant or visiting friends or family). I find it really brings importance and satisfaction to our meals. The nourishment we receive is acknowledged and appreciated.

Our home provides so much more than just protection and shelter. It provides security and many comforts for which I am deeply grateful. Our home, like most in the United States (that I am aware of) has indoor plumbing and electricity. We have heating and air conditioning and adequate space for our needs. I feel so blessed to have a home, especially when I am aware there are many in our world who are without any form of shelter. Thoughts and appreciation for having a home too often come after natural disasters, when we realize how vulnerable we are. My heart will always be grateful for each day in which we have healthy meals and a comfortable home.

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Grateful for Technology (TY – 7)

AKO-IDSocialStyles

Technology; we seem to notice it when it doesn’t work; however, all of the technology in our lives, which we take for granted, has allowed us to do many tasks and activities. How many can you list in a minute? Here is my quick list: Communicate from almost anywhere, check my e-mail from nearly anywhere, check-in social media sites, monitor the weather, navigate to destinations, track myself almost anywhere, do live face-to-face virtual communication via webcams from all over the world, research any topic from home or portable device, find the best deals with my portable device, play on-line games, connect to the internet without wires, print documents in seconds, take hundreds of photos digitally, use solar-powered devices like calculators, stay up at all hours of the night because of electric lights, cook meals without being present using a crock pot with a digital timer, cook meals faster and easier with a microwave oven… and so on and so forth.

My list has barely scratched the surface of everything we rely on technology to do. Technology is used everywhere and is part of almost everything. It is not just computers, but it is part of telephones, cars, radios, televisions, cameras, satellite systems, electricity and electrical systems, etc. I am grateful how technology has played a significant role in my life and how it has connected me with people from all over the world. Technology has allowed me to do so many things better, quicker and easier. I truly appreciate technology (and the people who engineered it all). Thank you, technology.

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Grateful for my Family (TY – 6)

ako-oct22-2013

I am so very blessed to have such a wonderful husband and fur-baby. Today we had a super walk together enjoying nature and each other’s company. As you can see from the photo, it was a beautiful day.

I deeply appreciate my husband, Rick, who supports me in countless ways; and, Sasha, my fur-baby, who is more than a fabulous companion. It is important to reflect on the loved ones in our lives and acknowledge their time and gifts that they share with us. Our spouses, our children and our fur-companions each have very significant roles in our lives, which deserve gratitude. Every act that they do, which makes your life more joyous and easier, needs to be recognized, acknowledged and appreciated.

Sometimes, however, when we get caught up in our daily routine and stresses, we forget our loved ones. We take for granted that they will be there for us. While this may usually be true, there will come a time in our lives when they will no longer be with us. It is important to cherish them as often as we can, acknowledge them, appreciate them and love them. They are the ones who are important, not the work, the chores, the daily routine and all the other stuff.

Therefore, I am taking time to think about my family and appreciate them as I write this brief article to thank them. Thank you Rick and Sasha! You are the best part of my life!

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Grateful for my Physical Senses (TY-3)

ako-oct17-2013

Our ability to see, hear, smell, taste and physically feel is amazing. Those physical sensations are relayed into our human computer (our brain) via specialized sensory receptors (our sensory organs): eyes, ears, nose, tongue (taste buds), skin (nerve endings). I am utterly and deeply grateful for these 5 wonderful physical senses. We often do not think about how wonderful these sensations are until we are without these abilities.

Have you ever experienced a cold (viral infection) where your nose has been compromised so that you cannot smell, nor breathe? It is not too hard to imagine not being able to see or hear, as you can use a blindfold or ear plugs; however, we often do not think about our senses nor appreciate them until our senses are compromised.

I am very grateful for all my physical senses; however, I am especially grateful at this moment for having perfect vision. This was not always the case for me. From the age of about ten, I have been nearsighted and I needed to use eyeglasses and later contact lenses to see distance with clarity. A few years ago, I had corrective eye surgery and I am beyond thrilled of truly being able to see. It is so liberating!

I take extra precautions with my eyes, especially when I go outdoors, by wearing sunglasses. I deeply appreciate my eyes and often give them a break from the computer, television and text as these things can cause eyestrain. It is as simple as closing your eyes and gently placing the palms of your hands over each eye for a minute or so. This activity allows your eyes to relax.

Another great way to pamper your eyes (and your entire physical body) is getting adequate sleep; moreover, it is important that the environment where you sleep is free from as many stimuli as possible (example: lights on various devices such as a clock display or phone charger).  Lights and sounds can prevent your eyes and ears, as well as your brain, from entering into a deep state of relaxation needed to recharge your body.

Think of all the ways we utilize our physical senses daily. There are hundreds of them. Our physical senses are such wonderful gifts of life. I honor and appreciate my eyes, ears, nose, skin and taste buds. Thank you so much!

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Grateful for My Hands (TY-1)

AngiHand26Mar2013forOCT15

My magnificent hands rarely get praise. I do so much with my hands without thinking and thanking my hands. From the moment I arise in the morning, my hands go to work without complaint. Their duties include: turning off the alarm clock; holding my toothbrush to brush my teeth; turning on and off the water in the sink; turning on the shower, washing my hair and body; grabbing a towel and drying myself; grabbing toilet paper, wiping and flushing the toilet; brushing my hair; applying cream and occasionally make-up; opening the closet door and dresser drawers; retrieving various items of clothing; dressing myself; and the list goes on and on and on…and I have not even been awake an hour. You have so many duties and you get so little gratitude.

I want to take this time to really appreciate my hands, as I utilize them to type these very words. Dear hands…thank you…thank you so very much. I deeply appreciate the role you play in my life, allowing me to do so many wonderful and creative things like draw, paint and write. I will take more time from now on to honor you, my hands. I will pamper you with lotion and gently massage you. HANDS… You are magnificent. Thank you so very much!

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Thankful for Friends and Neighbors

I am thankful for good friends and neighbors! I had the opportunity to connect and socialize with both a good friend and a great neighbor today, which was a timely reminder for me on the importance of having good people in my life. I find that Facebook makes it easier for me to stay connected; and, I am grateful that many of my friends, neighbors and family members use it.

I am thankful that those in my life who do use Facebook are mindful of netiquette, which is the term used for internet etiquette. Good manners and positive treatment is very important whether we are on-line, face-to-face or on-the-phone. With social networks such as Facebook and Twitter, which are so public, I am very conscious of how I present myself.

I make an effort to post only positive messages; moreover, I make a point to praise and promote my Facebook friends whenever I can. I value people and their feelings, therefore, I make a practice of only stating kind and positive statements about others. If I cannot say something nice, I do not say anything at all. I will not sing-song with others who wish to go down the path of negativity; and, fortunately for me, my friends rarely take that path. This builds meaningful interpersonal relationships and positive communities. I appreciate my good friends and neighbors.

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November: A Month of Appreciation

November is a month of thankfulness and appreciation as we celebrate Thanksgiving later this month. A great idea that was started by two dear people in my life, my friend Donna and my cousin Amber, is to note what you are most thankful each day this month. They are posting their thoughts of gratitude in their status each day this month on Facebook. I am collecting my thoughts in a journal and on Thanksgiving Day, I am going to share these messages of gratitude with my family and friends during our Thanksgiving Dinner. I may post messages of gratitude on Facebook, as well. I try to do that now and then throughout the year, anyway.

Upon reflecting on gratitude, attitude comes to mind; gratitude is an attitude of appreciation, knowing the worth of another. Gratitude is a positive feeling of indebtedness to another. It is a form of love, loyalty, and giving back; like an I.O.U. Your heart feels a warmth and longing to be of service to whomever or whatever you feel gratitude.

Gratitude is related to being thankful, grateful and appreciative. It is an uplifting emotion where you feel worthy and valued; and, you usually have a feeling of joy where you want to pay a favor in return directly or indirectly for the person you feel gratitude. An attitude of gratitude brings positiveness and higher energy. It is a glow in the heart, a warmth from within that makes one grin.

A great quote to ponder stated by Denis Waitley, truly makes me realize how much I have to be thankful: “I had the blues because I had no shoes until upon the street, I met a man with no feet.”

I am deeply grateful for: my overall good  health, my wonderful husband and family (including Sasha, my fur-baby), my amazing friends both off and on-line, God and the Universe. The gratitude in my heart I extend to all those who have touched my life and molded me into who I am today, including the bullies and heart-breakers; and most importantly for having Jesus Christ in my life…the example He has led as God in Body…God the Experience…God the Flesh…God the Human Example. He showed us the path and the way to be.

I have the gratitude attitude for music, creativity, life, transformations, lessons, love, friendship, fellowship, family, education, color, sight, all my senses, my gender, my femininity, my masculinity, my whole being, my outlook and perspective, my vision, my attitude and openness…for everything. Everything is a blessing that deserves to appreciated! Have “Gratitude Attitude”and a thankful heart. Consider keeping a log of everything you appreciate this month (and perhaps beyond). You will see the positive ways it will change your life. (Parts of this article were used in previous articles in A Kiss of Bliss this year.)

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