Tag: attitude of gratitude

30 DAYS OF GRATITUDE DAY 11 – HOLIDAYS!

On day 11 of this 30 day gratitude journey we are taking a look at holidays. Many people stress over holidays. Some people spend on holidays. You can look forward to a day off on a holiday. In these crazy times, some people even argue over holidays. Sure, we celebrate them, but have you ever stop and thought, “What holiday am I truly grateful for?” ? For me, there are several to mention. Let us get started with today’s conversation.

For the record, my favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. Not only do you not have to worry about buying gifts for anyone, but there is great food and the whole focus should be on what we have to be grateful for. A bonus fact is that this very site was started on Thanksgiving day in 2012. After briefing dying in 2022, I have learned that every day we are here is a holiday. Yes, this may sound cliche coming after a brief flirtation with my expiration date, but it certainly gives you a new perspective. It has birthdays take on a whole new meaning. Each year that we have lived should be something we are grateful for.

Another thing holidays do is allow us to take a peak into other cultures. It is so fun to me to learn about things they celebrate in different parts of the world. Learning how they celebrate and why is an experience I am grateful for. Margie bought me a calendar that shows what is celebrated on each day. That is fun because it gives us reason to celebrate something new everyday. Much like this 30 day journey, it also reminds us of things we may have forgotten or taken advantage of. As I am writing this, it is national snack day. When you read this, it will be national nap day. That is not only my initials, but a nap goes well right after a snack. What holidays are you grateful for? What are your favorite way to celebrate?

30 DAYS OF GRATITUDE DAY 9 – PLACES!

On our 30 day journey of gratitude, this could be one of the days with the largest possibility. What place are you most grateful for? This is one of those answers I do not think should have the word ‘most’ attached to it. In fact, I believe you should create a list of places you are grateful for along with a little notation as to why you are grateful for them. Do this places bring you peace? Perhaps they bring you joy? Are there certain places that help you feel connected to people that have passed on? How about places that are an escape or refuge? Are you beginning to have a few pop into your head? I know I am.

Here is a thought that could really blow this wide open. A ‘place’ does not have to be a geographical location. Your grateful place could be in your peace. It could be in your spouse’s heart and thoughts. It could be getting lost in a meditation. A place can actually be a person. Before you think I am taking this to an off-color gratitude post, allow me to explain. Sometimes the place you are most grateful for is wherever your friends are. Maybe your favorite place is with the person you love. It doesn’t matter if it is the tropical beach or the dentist office, as long as they are there holding your hand. A place can be an activity. Some places I am grateful for are where I write, where I walk in nature and where I can be with friends.

If I had to pick a favorite place, it would be next to this lady. Why? Even when I am have a tremendously great time, it is never perfect if she is not there. Whether I am laying in her arms to end a tough day or she is driving me crazy, I always want her next to me. When she is not there it just feels like something is missing. That is why being next to my lady is the place that I am most grateful for.

How about you? What place are you most grateful for? Is it someplace you can visit often? Why not create and add to a list of places that put you in a grateful mindset? It can help you when life gets tough. Changing your surroundings can help improve your emotional well-being. I cannot wait to read your favorite places in the comments below.

30 DAYS OF GRATITUDE DAY 7 – MEMORIES

Day 7 on our 30 day journey of gratitude. Today we look back. We are going to talk about what memories that we are grateful for. It is important not to live in the past, but the right memories can feed our soul in tough times. They can also motivate us to recapture or create the next memory that we will be grateful for in the future. When you are asked what your favorite memory is, what is the first thing that pops into your mind? I will share a few of mine, including one that may surprise you. Then, I would love to hear what memories are your favorite in the comments.

Some of my favorite memories include times that I have made people’s dreams come true. I recall taking Margie to see her first palm tree in Las Vegas. She was so excited. Sadly, I could not find that picture. She always wanted to go to Jamaica and I was excited to make that happen for her as well. This was a picture from our trip to the Bahamas. We did so many things on that trip. She even held a shark! Vacations can be a very fun source of memories. So can doing something you know will turn into a memory. My mother and I visited our local museum that will be closing soon. We made sure to take in as much as we could. It was both fun and exciting. Although the prospect of never experiencing some of what we were ever again was a little bittersweet.

Here is something you might not consider being grateful for. I am grateful for memories of my mistakes. Why on earth would you be grateful for memories of your own mistakes? In my case the pain some of those memories still inflict are some of the greatest motivation to not make those same mistakes again. This has helped me in my health, my inner peace, my relationships and my career. Sometimes remembering how much hurt you felt when you made a mistake is the only motivation you need to not repeat the blunder.

How about you? What are some of your favorite memories? Are they fun memories or can you see the value in being grateful for some of the more painful memories as well? Please share with us in the comment below.

30 DAYS OF GRATITUDE DAY 6 – NATURE

If we had a guest author for the blog today, it should be my mother. In an effort to keep this streak going, you are stuck with me, however. Both my mother and I love walking in nature. Mine is more reserved for when the temperature is higher than my age. Even if you live in a city where nature is scarce, you can escape to a park or even a tree-lined street. Nature can be found in some of the most interesting places. This was brought to my attention while reading a book by Tom Brown Jr. Whether you are in a national forest, or the park down the street, what in nature are you grateful for?

Living in more of a city environment, I am always excited to see some of nature’s bigger offerings. They tend to be a little more rare and thus, a little more exciting to see. Above you can see a picture I took of Margie taking a picture of a deer that strolled alongside our car. The other day, on my way to the gym, a coyote crossed in front of me. Animals that are not very common are ones that I am most grateful for. When my mother and I walk through the park, we are always on the lookout for new birds and other animals we do not normally see. This can be fun and make the walk that much more exciting.

It does not always have to be a large animal. The first flowers of spring are something that I am always grateful to see in nature. It gives me hope that warmer weather is on the way and I can look forward to longer days and more sunshine. We discussed how much I enjoy waking to the sound of birds chirping in the morning. Crickets chirping at night while I sit on the porch with Margie and a cup of coffee is rather relaxing. Do any of these resonate with you or are there other things in nature that you are grateful for? Is it the warmth of the sunshine or the refreshing rain? Nature offers us so much to be grateful for, I would love to hear what you think in the comments.

30 DAYS OF GRATITUDE DAY 5 – SOUND!

Welcome to day 5 of our 30 days of gratitude! Today we approach another one of the five senses. We looked at smell earlier in the week. Today we are looking at what sounds we are grateful for. Do you have a certain sound that calms you down? Perhaps one that energizes you? In my first and second books, I took about creating a ‘happy playlist’. This is a collection of songs that help to improve your emotional well-being simply by pushing play. It may not solve your problems, but it will put you in a better state to deal with them. Sounds are not just music as we will see. Let us take a look at some of the sounds I am grateful for, and hopefully you will add yours as well.

Many of you already know that I leave for work around 4am. If you didn’t, well now you do. This time of year it is pretty cold and quite. In another month or so, I will be greeted with the sound of birds chirping away. It reminds me that warmer weather is on the way and that there are creatures who are happy to be up at that hour. Generally speaking, I am not chirping, but you never know what could happen. When my lady and I are on vacation down in the tropics, you can hear all kinds of wonderful birds. When you sit out on your balcony late at night the sound is almost magical. Birds chirping are one of my favorite sounds.

Another beautiful sound is voices of those you love. In my life that could be the love of my life singing. The voices of those who come support us at shows or book signings. The laughter of friends when you are together or even the conversation when your mother and you go on a walking adventure. Hearing the voices of people you care about is such a blessing. It can be one that is fleeting as well. As we get older, many of us lose a little bit of that hearing. It makes what we do hear something to be that much more grateful for.

How about you? Are there sounds that you are grateful for? What are they? It could be your dog panting or your cat purring. It could be your child calling you mommy or daddy. There are a million sounds in the world today that we could be grateful for. The sound of a phone call or message from someone you love. What are yours? Let us know in the comments below.

30 DAYS OF GRATITUDE DAY 4 – FOOD!

Today’s post asks us what food we are grateful for! This could be an entire book for me. Not only am I going to marry a woman with an education in culinary arts, but we both love to try new and exciting foods both going out as well as creating recipes staying in. We eat both for enjoyment as well as doing our best to eat for health as well. Out of all of that, how can you pick what food you are most grateful for? It sure is a complicated question. After some thinking, I have a valid and true answer.

Above are just a few examples of some amazing dining experiences I have had. There was a picture of my lovely lady waiting for a meal on our second trip to Jamaica. There is also a conch salad we had in the Bahamas. It was very fresh and we watched the man prepare it on the spot for us. Margie, however, thought it was like attempting to eat a super ball. I must say she was not entirely incorrect in her assertation. The final picture was of a breakfast we shared while on vacation. As you can see, tasting new dishes in different places is just part of the fun of exploring the world with the woman I love.

This is a picture of a mouth-watering dish created by that same beautiful lady of mine. It was cod cooked in parchment paper with mushrooms and onions. It was seasoned with dill and other spices. It was amazing! It was fun to watch her put it all together and help what little I did. Trying to pick the favorite dish this woman created would be nearly impossible. Everything she makes is so delicious. That is also something to be grateful for. It is also why I must go to the gym several days a week. Portion control is something I am working very hard on.

You may be wondering which of these dishes is the one that I am most grateful for. It is both all of them and none of them. Confused? Let me explain. When thinking about some of the best food I have had the pleasure of enjoying, it is the company that makes all the difference. Whether it is the woman I am fortunate enough to share my life with, family or friends, great company makes the food taste better. Sure, there are times when even the best company can’t save a dish, but at least you will create a memory you all can laugh at later. My mother, my friend Nick and I just experienced such a thing this past weekend.

To sum it up, my favorite food would be any food you share with those you love. It not only adds amazing flavor, it is part of an amazing memory. How about you? Is there a specific dish that you are grateful for? Maybe a homemade dish that your grandmother used to make? A sinful dessert from your favorite place? What food are you most grateful for and why? Let us know in the comments.

30 DAYS OF GRATITUDE DAY 3 – COLORS!

Day 3 of our gratitude celebration. We have had some fun so far. If you would like to go back and read the first 2 days, you are certainly welcome to do so. If you would rather just start from today, that is cool too. Gratitude is great whenever you put it into your life. The object of this 30 day dive into the world of gratitude is to get you to think of, and notice for the first time perhaps, things in your life that you have to be grateful for. After 30 days, you will find yourself developing a new mindset of gratitude. The effect this will have in your life is nothing short of magic. Do not take my word for it. That is what these 30 days are all about. Putting this to the test.

Today’s question is what color are we grateful for. Color plays such an important role in our life. We naturally gravitate towards some colors and there are others that do not enthuse us at all. Personally, I am not a fan of beige, taupe or anything in that color scheme. It tends to bore me and have me feeling bland and unexcited. There are other people who love it. The only time this becomes much of a problem is when those two people live under the same roof!

As far as what colors I am grateful for, I would pick a combo that is my favorite. I love turquoise and yellow together. It makes me think of all things tropical. Those two colors can have me thinking of vacation even in the dead of winter. Lucky for me, my lovely lady does not object to these colors, or that combination. We had a great experience in the Bahamas. Their flag incorporates these colors. Upon reflection, it occurred to me that these were also the colors of my elementary school. Not sure if that has some sort of subconscious influence on the matter.

How about you? Are there colors that make you happy when you see them? Are there colors you tend to avoid? Are they different for clothes verses cars? Have your choices changed throughout the years? I can’t wait to hear what everyone has to say!

DAY 2 OF A MONTH OF GRATITUDE!

To catch you up to date, we are doing a month of gratitude. Today is day 2. Feel free to go back and read yesterday’s post as well. We love to hear your answers in the comments that follow today’s post.

Ah technology. Many people curse this, but few stop and appreciate all we have to be thankful for. Personally, I have many. We will start with a popular one – cell phones. Yes, they have their drawbacks, but think of all they bring us. I can stay in contact with my lovely lady. That helps me worry less. You can retrieve information at the drop of a hat. It reduces the amount of graffiti on rest room stalls.

I also love the technology in my new car. I am not a fan of the cold weather. My new car allows me to start the car from my cell phone! By the time I get in, the heated seats and steering wheel are already warm. Two more technology items I am grateful for! They make winter so much more!

How about you? What technology are you especially grateful for? There are so many to choose from! I would love to hear what you think!

IT STARTS TODAY! COME JOIN THE FUN!

Above is a list of 30 days of gratitude. We did this a few year’s back and many of you asked for a repeat. We are going to take one day at a time. I’ll share my personal answer and you are welcome to do the same. Each day we will explore something new to be grateful for!

Our first answer involves one of the most powerful senses  – smell! Do you know often realtors bake chocolate chip cookies in houses they are showing? It gives the perspective buyers a feeling of home. Smells have a unique path in our brains. That is why a scent can bring up a memory.

There are many different smells I am grateful for. I love the smell of damp earth when I am walking out in nature. I love the smell of a diner when you walk in. That mix of eggs, toast and coffee. I love the scents of coconut and vanilla. Anything that reminds me of vacation.

How about you? What are some of the smells you are grateful for? Are there some that bring back great memories? Share with us in the comments below!

HOW TO MULTIPLY RICHES IN YOUR LIFE.

Many of you know how important being grateful is to an amazing life. We will skip the new-age metaphysical aspects of this, although they are important, and stick with practical reasons this is so. When you focus on what you have to be grateful for, you are on the lookout for just that, things to be grateful for. It stands to reason that if you are looking for them, you are more likely to find them. What would happen if you started seeing more things to be grateful for? Your life would feel more amazing. That makes sense, does it not?

Another thing to consider is when you express those feelings of gratitude. When you let the person helping you at the coffee shop know that they are appreciated. How do you think your service will be next time? When you come in they will think to themselves, “There is the person who said they appreciated me.” If you know you are appreciated, how will that make you act? You will probably want to do more for someone who appreciates you than someone who does not. Imagine how this could work with your friends, or even more so with your romantic partner? The more you appreciate them, which will make them feel good, the more they will feel like doing things to be appreciated. This exchange will then give you more to appreciate.

I am hoping you can see how gratitude really can give you more to be grateful for. It is not some strange esoteric principle, but really a matter of exchange that benefits all parties. Considering this, why would you not want to be more grateful and do so more often?