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| This is a view of the Fremont Hills. I grew up in this area, so did my sons. I lived right where the rainbow ends. I'm not kidding., in the town of Niles. |
My gratitudes for today:
1. It's great having a community of friends where we can be who are, good or bad, up or down, emotionally, and still be loved. 2. My middle son and I visited, yesterday and today, at length. Talking heart-to-heart is fulfilling. Connecting with another person is one of the richest times we can have. Having healthy relationships invigorates our soul.
Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! Psalms 133:13. This morning I received good wishes from friends I've known since high school----my birthday is fast approaching. Experiencing kindness from them is heart-warming.
4. I celebrate that my provision comes from God. My job and my paychecks are not my source of provision.
Spiritual Weightlifting
I'm thankful for the healing power that a sense of humor has, when we experience tough times. When we exercise healthy principles, including mirth, instead of worrying or being upset---during stressful moments---we strengthen ourselves, emotionally. We're detaching, with love, from the situation. Doing so, gives us perspective. We are doing spiritual weightlifting.
I'm grateful that, when tempted to say something regrettable, we can use tempered, gracious responses. Reacting, would be blurting out the venom of sarcasm or judgment towards those who trouble us, or passively yielding to the blame or shame others would want us to wear. Today I succeeded. I didn't react. Whew! It was close----I'm happy I kept my mouth shut. It's easier doing so when we no longer allow others to define who we are nor determine our moods.
It's easier doing so when we maintain our conscious contact with God, asking Him for His will, and the power to carry it out. I find it amazing that, in the Bible, God never uses shame, guilt or sarcasm to motivate us. It's pretty obvious why. God is Love. Love doesn't treat us in this way. God will never stoop to that level, to motivate us, nor do we want to cheapen ourselves by acting this way, either. It helps us when we learn to be happy when cruel people get mad at us---their reaction means we must be doing something right---we're not following their values. :->
Even though others may disappoint us, it's our responsibility to deal with it. Our happiness is not contingent upon those wronging us, apologizing. Please let me know what you think about this subject and what fills your heart with gratitude today.
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2 comments:
I am grateful that because of Jesus there is always hope,regardless of our circumstances.
I am also grateful for my older brother Don,who is willing to be a good listener and patient with my faults.
Good to see you, again,
I will take a stab and guess you are Cynthia. How was your weekend? :->
There's always hope for today. Every time we apply healthy tools and principles in our lives we allow ourselves to create a better today. We're placing principles above our personality. Always a good thing.
You are fortunate to have a Balcony Person, Don. We are always stronger when we have them in our lives. Life is a "we" program. We cannot overcome our struggles by ourselves, alone. We weren't meant to.
Here's to you having a wonderful week,
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