Overflowing with Gratitudes ...............................7/19/12

Don't you like the view out of the many windows of this inn?
 This one is a particular favorite of mine. Image: "Woods: Between the Trees"
by Tim Blessed. Copyrighted material, used by his kind permission. 

My Gratitudes for Today:
1. Last night, I slept like a baby: I woke up every three hours and cried. lol  Just kidding! I had a terrific night of sleep. This happens when I exercise. Yesterday's bike ride and the fellowship I had with someone I mentor was a terrific tonic for my soul.

"How blessed and good it is when brethren dwell together in unity."  Psalms 133:1

That was my experience last night.
2. I'm thrilled with those who sign the registry to
this inn with their comments and gratitudes. It amazing the community we can share here, online. Thank you for becoming my friends.
3. I'm happy hearing guests, from diverse places---Canada, Ireland, California and sometimes, Kentucky, share with authenticity. It gives me hope for humanity (huwomanity, too). :>
4. I look forward to phone calls I'll make tomorrow.  I also have paperwork I need to submit. These actions will help move my business forward and increase my abundance.
5. I rode for 15 miles this evening. I have not driven my car in four months and one week, but who's counting?  :)   Can you imagine going that long without using your car??!
6. I'm pleased that the renovation work on my home is completed.
      I'll sleep better. The laborers came early and made a lot of noise. This is especially hard on me in that I stay up late.
     The house looks better. The entire exterior was re-painted and a new side porch was installed. Plumbing work was improved and the front porch was sanded and re-done. Wow!
7. I like the joy I have after working out.  It's wonderful, enjoying life and feeling good, physically.
8. Yesterday, I did laundry. The scent of freshly washed clothes, perks up my bedroom.
9. I'm thankful for each person I've gotten to know through this inn. That includes you. Yes, you.
10. I'm deeply indebted that I've learned principles through Al-Anon Family Groups. For more about this organization (and there's a group near you),  please click here. And especially this link, too. These are posts where I've written about the enormous good this organization offers many, including myself. Where else can you get caring, supportive therapy for a buck??!  Really.
    These precepts helped me overcome trauma.  Trauma from my former marriage and abuse I had as a child.
     I'm grateful that I know the fullness of my feelings but I am not overwhelmed by them. I am now able to stand for myself without standing against my fellows.  Courage has replaced fear and uncertainty. My life is rich and free. The time I've invested in recovery from the effects of the problem behavior of others has been worth every second.  Am I glad.  Ya ay!
11. One of the primary principles is forgiveness. I've shared it before, but I'll say it again.

"Forgiveness is not forgetting. It's letting go of the hurt."        Courage to Change, p. 178

And,

"You can't hold a man down without staying down with him." Courage, p. 75

12. I'm glad I discovered as a result of my recent birthday party that a person who I thought was a friend, was not. I'm thankful that I'm still able to keep my eyes open and admit areas where I still need discernment.

   "If we feel like a doormat, we need to get up off the floor.'  Courage, p. 361.

13. I'm touched by the vulnerability I'm reading from the comments of many of you. It means a lot to me that you are opening up. And, you are right in doing so: this inn is a safe place. You are accepted here, just as you are.
14. I love the humor that Carl has, who regularly visits this inn. (Read his comments tonight, written in this post---it's hilarious!!! Let me say he has a very unusual neighbor. The neighbor is wacky, in my opinion.)
15. I'm thankful for the work I have tomorrow.
       It will be challenging. I will not be able to do it without your prayers and love, and God's assistance. My life is unmanageable. I can't handle all I'm facing, with my abilities alone.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for there's is the Kingdom of Heaven."  Matthew 5:3

Blessings occur when I realize my spiritual bankruptcy. I am unable to handle all of my issues by resources alone.
16. I'm grateful for a relationship that I need to deal with soon and for work I'll have over the weekend.
17. I appreciate all the kindness I get from you who drop by.
18. I celebrate the amazing insights expressed by you, my guests.  I'm a lucky innkeeper to have such wonderful company!
More Than Good Feelings 
Being Challenged, Too
       I'm trusting that visitors to this inn come back again and again because they are finding material here that challenges them, in addition to being encouraged by the thoughts expressed.
      As a counselor, it's important that clients have more than a good feeling, when we meet.  It's critical that they are seeing progress, there's work they need to do, and when they do it, they get better. We cannot become the person we want to be by remaining the way we are.

      That's the point of counseling.  I hope it that it works that way, here, too, for you.

Related Post:

Feeling Good