Feeling Gratitude and Being Grateful

We have decided to start our week with sharing our gratitude. I have a journal on my nightstand where I write 5 things each day that I am grateful for. It's funny how on the best days it pours out of me and I could write 20. On tough days, I sometimes have to dig really deep. Since practicing this, I have realized that it's those tough days where I learn the most and have the most gratitude. One day I wrote: "I am grateful for my home." I think this is something we all probably take for granted, but when I thought about it I realized that some people don't have a home or a roof over their heads--how fortunate am I?

I'd love to share an excerpt from Louise Hay's book, "Gratitude, A Way of Life" that speaks to this:

"It is relatively easy to feel grateful when good things are happening and life is going the way we want it to. Even then, we often take things for granted. It feels so good to take a moment to express our appreciation to other people, to the earth, to our higher power, to life.

A much greater challenge is to get in touch with gratitude when we are going through a difficult time, or life is not going the way we think it should. At these times, we are more likely to be feeling hurt, confused, or resentful, which is perfectly natural. Gratitude is the last thing that would occur to us at such a moment.

It's interesting, though, that after going through a difficult time, in retrospect we can often see that there was something important and necessary about that experience. We may not arrive at this perspective until months or even years later, but eventually we can see that there was some important lesson learned, a deepening of our wisdom, an awakening, or perhaps a new door that opened in our life as a result of events that seemed negative at the time."

I encourage you to keep a daily gratitude journal. Even if you can't get to it everyday, as we are human, try it and see what you can learn.

I'd like to share my gratitude list for today as I think back over the past few days:

1. I am grateful for a wonderful weekend with my family.
2. I am grateful for having a weekend of being home with my family and getting work done. Nothing feels better than a sense of accomplishment!
3. I am grateful for having amazing friends in my life.
4. I am grateful for having my work bring incredible people into my life that I would have never known.
5. I am grateful for taking the time to take care of myself.

Have a joyous week!
Deanna

The Weekend

Weekend time to me is precious. This is what we work for all week--to have that quality downtime with my family. We try to make the most of every weekend.

I was watching a local news program this week and saw a segment on a new program being started here in Connecticut. It's called "No Child Left Inside." According to the web site, "No Child Left Inside is a special initiative of Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell, coordinated by the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection to encourage Connecticut families and visitors alike to enjoy all the recreational resources and outdoor activities available in Connecticut's state parks, forests and waterways."

What a great program! We're all tired of being inside from the winter. I'm ready for spring, aren't you? The Governor's program encourages families to get outside and enjoy the beautiful space we have right outside our doors.

We are all under a lot of stress and pressure today. Wouldn't this be a great way to get outside breathe in some fresh air and be active while spending time with your family and at the same time reducing stress?

Maybe you're not in Connecticut, but I'm sure there is some type of program in your state or some way that you can take advantage of what your area has to offer. It's fun to get outside and take that time to discover new things.

Enjoy this weekend and soak in the sunshine!

Deanna

The Roller Coaster of Life

Last night I was watching the Celebrity Apprentice. I was almost moved to tears when other “fired” celebrities spoke about finalist and country singer Trace Adkins. I like country music, but I’m not really familiar with Trace. I know him from the show and I was completely impressed with how he did not compromise his integrity at all during the show. I believe it was Gene Simmons who said that Trace is that special something that is missing today. Honesty, integrity, humility—it made me think of our post earlier this week about Gratitude and all of the virtues it embodies. I believe this quiet spoken man models himself this way.

Trace sang his new song last night, “You’re Gonna Miss This.” I went online today to listen again and view the video. Again, I was moved to tears. Take a listen when you have a chance, Video

I feel that this song embodies a lot of what our lives are today. We’re so busy, always looking ahead at the next thing. Many times it’s not by choice—it’s just because we have to. It’s just survival. Everything today is so fast paced—it’s just so hard to keep up—almost too complicated.

My advice today is to take this weekend to reflect on this and ask yourself, how can I slow down? How can I stop to appreciate just one small thing? Take yourself off the roller coaster of life for just one small moment. Try it and see what happens.

Deanna

Energy & Emotion in a Dog's World

I’m currently reading Cesar’s Way by Cesar Millan-nationally recognized dog expert and star of National Geographic’s Channel’s hit show the Dog Whisperer. I bought the book last year before I had a dog and finally started reading it this past week. In one of his chapters he talks about energy and emotion. Dogs can sense even the most subtle changes in the energy and emotions of humans around them. Animals can’t comprehend the context of our issues; they can’t distinguish whether we’re grieving from the loss of a loved one, we had a fight with a friend or spouse or we’re just having a bad hair day, because those very human situations mean nothing to them. However, such situations create emotions and those emotions are universal. It made me stop and think …What energy and emotions am I sending out into the Universe?

Judy and Cooper (the French bulldog)

Today's Inspiration

"Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others."-Cicero, Ancient Roman Statesman and Philosopher, Cicero books.

Gratitude embodies so many different feelings and emotions. Those that come to mind for us are forgiveness, patience, happiness, trust, and honor. For example, you can not be grateful and unhappy at the same time. All of these things work together in harmony.

Think about your life what does gratitude mean to you? What vitures come to mind when you say that word? Spend some time today to reflect on these questions.

Deanna & Judy

It's Official!

We officially went live with our new web site last Thursday! We are so excited to share it with you. Today is the launch of our new newsletter, The Gratitude Circle--so be on the look out for it in your e-mail box. We look forward to your comments and feedback, so please feel free to drop us a line, okay?

Have a fabulous week,
Deanna & Judy

P.S. Happy St. Patrick's Day! We hope you find your "pot of gold" at the end of your rainbow!

We're getting close!

We're very excited! We are so close this week to launching our new web site. Go to our web site at www.gratitudecollections.net to sign up for our newsletter so that you can be one of the first to check out our new web site when it launches. It will be filled with lots of great content and fabulous products for you to browse through. We can't wait to share it with you!