tops for this inn. In America, this Thursday is about the vision of this cozy place in cyberspace: singing our praises for the lovely things happening in our lives. Tomorrow, we celebrate thanks.
My Gratitudes for Wednesday:
1. I'm thankful for the nation in which I live. We enjoy great freedom and abundance in the United States. I pray this country continues to maintain its great faith in God. It was the foundation upon which this nation was built.
2. I love the beauty that surrounds where I live. California is a marvelous place to live.
3. I appreciate the sound of waves lapping against the shores of the island city that I call home. I delight in the smell of kelp and hearing the occasional complaint of sea gulls circling above and the honking of geese.
4. I know God's unconditional love and am empowered by life-giving principles.
They are slate stones that allow me to confidently trek across the miry bogs of life. Wow. For more about this, please read here."If thy law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction." Psalm 119: 92
5. I'm fortunate being the father of terrific young men.
6. I am grateful for the hope I have and the positive principles that fill my heart. They are a result of the daily and of over twenty years working on my personal growth.
No Emotional Vampires for Me
I appreciate emotionally healthy friends. They are not emotional vampires. You know the type: they brighten a room by leaving it. They easily suck our joy and energy, if we are not on guard and don't exercise boundaries.
Instead, friends offer love. They are an oasis within the desert of today's hectic, overburdened, technology tethered (iPods, smart phones, laptops, online addicted, twitter-fed, FaceBook oriented, email stuffed) society. Our relationships are reciprocal.
They support me when I need it, at all times. They encourage and love me for who I am, not for who I appear to be.
“God gave us minds to think with and hearts to thank with. Instead, we use our hearts to think about the world as we would like it to have been, and we use our minds to come up with rationalizations for our ingratitude.
7. I love the dynamic, stimulating, vibrant relationships I enjoy with positive people. I had such discussions with several today. I am blessed."We are a murmuring, discontented, unhappy, ungrateful people." ― Douglas Wilson
8. I appreciate the must haves and can't stands I have regarding relationships. They provide clear boundaries.
9. I relish the smiles others have when they stay in the solution, looking at how they can overcome the challenges they face. They rely upon their community of support, their connection with God and the strength gotten as they live by healthy principles placed above their personality.
10. I value that I do NOT stay within my mind. How sad that would be.
Instead---to my delight---I feel the depth of my feelings without being overwhelmed by them. I spend time with God, embraced by His deep, patient, supportive love. I transcend difficult circumstances. I know the gift of equanimity.
11. I routinely discharge the emotional and mental toxicity that built up in my childhood. I'm thankful for exercise, journaling talking with friends. for punching bags, jump ropes, cycling, screaming while watching a sports event, running, swimming, sports and other vehicles that are wonderful channels that allow negative feelings to be released from my soul, body and spirit.
12 I love cycling. I am encouraged by the vigor I feel after riding.
13. I look forward to being with friends and family tomorrow. I'll ride the crest of positivity that tomorrow's holiday offers.
14. I love the work I do. I'm glad I serve my fellowman.
15. I am ecstatic that I have my voice. I'm able to say what I mean, mean what I say, but not say it meanly.
The Healing Power of Forgiveness
I am indebted to the deep healing power of forgiveness. It frees me from the corrosive toxicity of bitterness and resentment. Forgiveness is the bolt cutter that removes the handcuffs of any resentment I have towards others.
When I forgive, I'm conforming to God's nature. I'm thankful that I've been forgiven for my faults and what I've done that has caused harm towards others, myself and offended the God of my understanding."Forgiveness is not forgetting, it's letting go of the hurt." Courage to Change, p. 178
How About You?
What are some areas where you are thankful? Please share. You contribute to the joy we have here, when you do. Thanks!
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3 comments:
Dear Innkeeper,
Thank you for your post and gratitudes. They are rich, moving and universal; can apply to all of us, regardless of who or where we are.
Today I am grateful for;
1. Cycling yesterday with my mentor in the brisk, ebbing daylight, dusk and early autumn darkness.
2. Generous and helpful reflection and fellowship over an unusual tomale-on-the-inside-omlette, which I (barely) survived to tell about!
3. A lighter than usual workday with no long-distance travel.
4. As you mentioned, to be able to enjoy the special day of Gratitude and Thanksgiving tomorrow, with family; loved ones.
5. A generous after-work nap that afforded renewed energy to tackle the holiday house-cleaning chores I signed up for.
6. To be able to smoke (with Apple wood chips) and BBQ my signature 20 pound, holiday turkey tomorrow, on our Weber Grill (vented kettle oven-outdoor BBQ grill). This is a time-honored family tradition passed down to me and my four siblings from my Dad, Harold "Duke."
7. My 88 year old Mom is coming over to our house tomorrow to join us for Thanksgiving Dinner.
Dear Carl,
Good to hear you are investing in your physical well being.
How was your Thanksgiving? I bet your mother enjoyed time with the family. What was your high point for the day?
Hi Loredana,
I enjoy visiting your place. You might like the following post. It speaks of the feelings I get when taking time to enjoy nature.
A Spiritual Awakening, Part I
I believe such moments are a spiritual awakening, of sorts. The siren call of busyness can easily distract us from the beauties that each day offers.
I'm in total agreement with you forgiveness is an indispensable key for healing and serenity. Best wishes for a delightful weekend!
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