Tag: inspiration

30 DAY GRATITUDE JOURNEY DAY 26 – EXPRESS YOURSELF

It is interesting to think that you could be grateful for a form of expression. Again, this is one of those things that we seldom think about, yet doing so could add an amount of joy to our life. Let us get into it shall we? Have you ever thought about the different ways to express yourself? Unless you are a right-brain, creative person the answer is usually ‘no’. In which ways do you express yourself regularly? Myself, verbally would be my answer. Throughout my life, I have work hard to improve my verbal communication and have achieved a level of some proficiency. This has served me well until recently. At two of my jobs I deal with people who are extremely hearing-impaired. As a person who enjoys a great conversation, it is frustrating that there exists a great amount of difficulty with communication.

This made me explore other avenues. The lady at my day job often texts fellow employees to communicate with them. At my weekend job, the fellow there uses a mixture of writing notes and gestures. Often, there is alcohol mixed in which can make it a little confusing. I thought how nice the written word is, but then also thought of people who’s vision is impaired to one degree or another. As an author, this is still a group I would love to reach. It is wonderful there are audiobooks.

We have just covered 2 forms of expression – spoken word, written word and recorded word. This is just touching on verbal communication. In my life, I am blessed to have many artists that convey their emotions through painting, sculpting, sewing and of course the amazing cakes my lovely lady makes. There are so many forms of expression. Thinking of this reminds me of the book, The Five Love Languages. In which you can explore the different ways both you and your partner both express and receive love. Thinking of all that we just mentioned, there are more than five ways to express love. Some people express their love with a hug, some with a gift and some with an act of service. Some draw you a picture or bake you a cake.

Which of these is the form of expression I am most grateful for? Like many of these items in our thirty-day journey, this is the first time that I have pondered it. In reflection, I would say what I am most grateful for is the fact that there are so many ways to express yourself. Each one reached someone in ways that others cannot. This is yet another reason why we are all important and beautiful. Someone can be saying the same message, just in a different way than you. You delivery may reach someone that others cannot. High polish and a large audience does not necessarily make a message more powerful. Express love and compassion in whatever way suits you. Doing so will reach the people you are meant to reach.

30 DAYS OF GRATITUDE DAY 25 – MOMENT THIS WEEK

Here is an oddly specific question. What moment this week are you most grateful for? My own life is a personal collection of moments I am most grateful for. It would be difficult to pick out just one. As I write this, reflecting on the week that has just passed, there are many moments to be grateful for. The first that came to mind was the day I just had with my mother. We visited the local museum for an in-depth look at some of the displays they had. Guides offered a little behind-the-scenes information. We learned a lot and it was a lot of fun. After which we stopped for lunch. Even though the server was a little sunshine challenged, it brought humor to us and we had a great time. Then we did a little grocery shopping. I came home and Margie and I cooked and enjoyed a delicious and filling meal together. After which we watched a movie and fell blissfully asleep next to each other.

That is just one day of my week. Which of those moments should I be most grateful for? It is really hard to say. As we develop an ‘attitude of gratitude’ together these 30 days, you will start to see that almost every moment offers something to be grateful for. Having a difficult time deciding what moment in that past week to be most grateful for is something to be grateful for itself. That means I have a life filled with moments to be grateful for. That is true of all of our lives. Being able to see that this is so, yes that is also something to be grateful for.

You can see how pondering what moment in the past week you are most grateful for can help you feel more grateful all the way around. It also helps us realize that in what may seem like a stressful week, there are still plenty of things that went right and that we can be grateful for. How about you? What are you grateful for this past week? Was it a victory or, like we discussed last post, was it a challenged that helped you learn something valuable about yourself or someone else? I would love to hear about it in the comments below.

30 DAYS OF GRATITUDE DAY 22 – WHAT IS YOUR STORY?

What story are you grateful for? As an author, I am really excited to hear what everyone has to say about this post. There are so many great stories. There are fiction, non-fiction, biographies, fairy tales, and many other stories that we could mention. Personally, I have some in each category. There are stories that I could read over and over again and still be entertained. Bill Bryson’s (despite his not writing back to me) book, A Walk in the Woods, brings laughter to me every time. The book, Man’s Search for Meaning, is a powerful reminder of the value of life and what humanity is capable of. Both the good and the bad.

Another group of stories that I am so grateful for is ones that are shared among friends and family. My Aunt Lucia can tell some of the craziest stories. Some people just have that gift. My grandfather was a great story teller. When people pass on, I think their stories are something we miss. Even if we heard them a million times. Before the printed word, stories were how history was passed down from one generation to the next. A great story teller is a truly talented person.

I am grateful for this Story. That is my lovely bride-to-be, Margie Story. Without her, you might not be reading this blog. She does so much behind the scenes to keep things going that I feel she never gets enough credit. She is definitely one of my favorite stories! Can you believe there may be a story that I am even more grateful for? There is! Can you guess what it might be?

The story that I am most grateful for is the one you are reading. No, not my blog. Not even any of my three books. The story I am talking about is the story of my life. It was almost a far shorter story only a few years ago. Yes, at points it is a sad story. Sometimes it is an angry and disheartening story. It is also a happy story. A story filled with love, joy and laughter. Most importantly, it is a story that I am still writing. I am sure there are more challenges to come, but there are also more wins, more love and more laughter. The story of my life includes my Margie Story, and many other wonderful people. There will be more amazing people I have yet to meet.

What is your favorite story? Is it a book? Is a funny story told to you by your parents or grandparents that you have heard a million times? Is it the love story you share with someone special? Is it the story of your life that we should all be grateful to still be writing? I would love to hear your answer in the comments below.

30 DAY GRATITUDE JOURNEY DAY 18 – ART!

When I first stopped to think of what piece of art that I was grateful for I drew a blank. Sure, there are paintings and sculptures I enjoy, but nothing really stood out for me. This is what makes this 30 day journey so powerful. We are looking at areas in our life that we may not take the time to think about. For me, art is one of those. I enjoy art, but it is not very often that I sit down and ask myself, “Neil, what piece of art are you grateful for?” Did that today though.

As I sat thinking of the answer, I realized what a broad term ‘art’ is. I was busy thinking of paintings and sculptures. Art is far more than that. I good cup of coffee can be a work of art. If you have ever had a bad cup of coffee you can really appreciate this. As an author, I should have known that books are works of art as well. Poems, they are works of art. Music is one of my favorite art forms. If it were not for that my early morning commute and workouts would be far different. As I mentioned last post, the wonderful baked creations my lady creates are works of art. The creativity and effort that goes into them is truly amazing!

After much thought, this is my favorite work of art. It is a living work of art. The woman I love. When you stop and think about it, each one of us is a living work of art. We are formed from different creative influences. It is a work of art that is every evolving. Just like much art, some may find beautiful what some do not. It does not make the art any less valuable. What is your favorite piece of art? Are you working to improve the work of art that is you?

30 DAYS OF GRATITUDE DAY 13 – ABILITY!

This is a great time to stop and be grateful for our abilities. Many are quick to lament the ability they wish they had but do not. How many stop to be grateful for the ones they do have? Sometimes we can just assume everyone can do what we do. When we take the time to be grateful for the gifts and abilities we have, I think we are more inclined to share them in such a way it benefits all concerned. Let me share what comes to mind for me.

The ability I am most grateful for would have to be my ability to communicate. It not only allows me to write on this site and publish 3 books, but it is even more important in my personal life. When I was a bartender, one of the reasons I was so in demand was my ability to communicate with a wide cross section of people. The greatest benefit to communicating is in my personal relationships. Being able to convey what I am thinking or feeling in the right way really helps my relationships grow. I am also comfortable speaking in front of a crowd. It took me a while to understand how rare this is. The ability to be empathetic goes hand in hand with the ability to communicate. My friend Kurt writes a lot about empathy in his daily thoughts online. The ability to put yourself ‘in someone else’s shoes’ is such a gift. As the world becomes more divided, it is also a valuable skill as well.

This only scratches the surface. The ability to read, which is something many of us take for granted. That ability alone will allow us to learn any other skill we would like to. How about the ability to truly listen? That is a rare gift these days as well. The ability to develop personal rapport in an online world? That can get you very far. If you have that one, you certainly have a gift to be grateful for. Which one of your abilities are you most grateful for? Let us know in the comments!

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 10 – TASTE

Can you believe that we are one-third of the way through our 30 days? Hard to believe. I hope you are beginning to see just how many things you have to be grateful for in your life. We are just warming up. This has been just as enlightening to me. There are so many things that I had not stopped to think about in a long time. Areas of our life that we take for granted. Today is no different. What taste are you grateful for? We did do one on food so I will not dwell too much on that.

When people think of taste, almost always it goes to food. That makes sense, because after the age of about 2 or so, we mostly put food in our mouth. Taking this into account, there are more tastes to be grateful for. This is what makes these month so exciting. We are asked to think about different things. When was the last time you thought about your sense of taste and what you had to be grateful for? I am going to share a few of mine, but I would love to hear yours as well.

The post does ask us what taste we are grateful for today. That will help keep things a little simpler. I will start from my morning. Perhaps one of the things I am most grateful for, not only in taste but in life, is the taste of my lady’s lips on mine as I am leaving for work. Why? It not only is a reminder of the love we share, but what I have to look forward to come home to. On the way to work, there is the taste of my coffee I brewed that morning. So much to be grateful for there. The amazing machine that does all the work for me. The energy that it will help give me at 4am. Even the fun variety of the different coffees I have. One thing that is overlooked by the majority of people is the taste of clean water. A large portion of the planet does not have access to clean water. It is something we take for granted but without it, a lot could go wrong.

There are more abstract tastes as well. The taste of success when you get a little win in the day. As an author, these can often be what keeps you going. The taste of compassion when you seek to understand instead of respond. Yes, I realize they might not fit the specific definition of ‘taste’ but they are certainly something to be grateful for. How about you? What tastes bring gratitude to mind for you? Please let us know in the comments below.

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.