Perspective On The Most Special Day of This Inn ........................11/22/12

       Dear Guests to the Attitude of Gratitude Inn:

 I resonate with the message in today's illustration.  Nonetheless, I appreciate today's focus: gratitude and thanksgiving.  Each home in the United States becomes

"Improvements" : God Removing Dross from My Life ...6/3/11

Refining gold, removing the dross.

      It will be morning for most of you by the time you read this. I'm squeezing in my gratitudes while I can, before Saturday rolls in, claiming the time. As most of you know, this place provides a gratitude journal for the visitors of this inn. I ask those who drop by, to sign the registry to this place by sharing three gratitudes. It's easy to do, really.Would you give it a try?

My gratitudes for Friday:

1. Met with a client today, the time we spent was powerful and rewarding. I enjoy seeing progress and I'm happy helping others deal with long-term issues, many of them stemming from childhood. I love seeing others celebrating life more than they ever have.

An Evening to Remember ..5/29

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      I just got in from being out last night, Saturday. I had a marvelous time with friends. Tonight's post shall be brief.

My gratitudes for Saturday.

1. Fun with friends and family was my delightful experience this evening. My birthday was celebrated at my favorite place, the Fairmont Hotel.

The Life Changing Power of Affirmation....... 5/20/11

      Have you thank-ed someone today?

      Who is someone you are grateful for?  Can you think of anybody who believ-ed in you, cheering you on when you were at a low ebb?  Stop for a moment and think whom that could be.........

      I'm mindful of Mr Al. Tafoya.  He was my fifth-grade teacher. The only Hispanic teacher I ever had.  From the state of New Mexico, he was.  One day he asked me to stay in class after dismissing the other students for recess.

       The words he spoke that day have stuck with me.  To this very day.  I didn't expect them.  He was scary.  No, not because he had an eye in the back of his head or anything like that.

       He was the best and most demanding teacher at Vallejo Mills Elementary.  He taught accelerated classes.  For nerds like me.  If anyone in his class spoke without permission, they were in trouble.

         Once I asked a fellow student, David, who sat next to me if  I could borrow his eraser during an exam.  Mr. Tafoya took my test.  He gave me an F.  For me, it was F for frustration.  He didn't ask why I spoke.  I cried.  Only the second time I did at school.

        The day he asked me to stay after class, I nervously waited.  I shifted in my wooden seat.

        Outside, students could be heard, yelling.  Some played tether ball, four square.  Many ran around the field.  Hearing the commotion outside, I longed to be with them.

        Instead, I was trapped with bald-pated, non-smiling Mr. Tafoya.  The excited voices of the pupils outside and the stir on the playground, were immediately silenced when he finally spoke.

       Stunned, by his surprising words, I was.  He encouraged me.  'You are my best student," he said. "That couldn't be," I thought. The other students were brainy; I didn't even wear glasses.

        "But I get in fights. I am in the Principal's office often.  Others in class use fancier words than me. They are sons of doctors, lawyers and engineers."

        "Yes," he replied,  "but they don't read about Plato, Aristotle, Dante or the speeches of great men."  He knew my reading choices because of the books I bought from the Scholastic Book Club.  His words surprised and encouraged me.

        Since that day, attending school became something I look forward to.  His words reinforced confidence in my ability to think and express myself on paper.  They still do.  I am happiest when researching, more than anything else.  Studying relaxes me.

      After our visit, I was a motivated.  I became an even more disciplined student.  In the fifth grade, I studied until 2:00 a.m.  I liked getting good grades.  At the time I didn't realize I was externally referented.

      It would be years before I was freed from this disease. Then, academic success provided encouragement.  That was something rarely gotten from parents busy attending to six kids.

     This drive for excellence in studies lasted through junior high, high school and college.  I love learning, even now.  My efforts were bolstered by Mr Tafoya's encouraging words that day.  I was emboldened by his belief in me, a confused kid with a crew cut.  What a difference one person can make.

      So, Mr. Tafoya---wherever you are---thank you for encouraging an insecure, struggling ten-year-old.  I'm grateful for the gift you gave that day.  You instilled the desire to believe, not only in my abilities but in myself.

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      This is the Attitude of Gratitude Inn. Here, we exercise thankfulness muscles, sharing the gratitudes that fill our hearts. Doing so is a wonderful antidote to the negativity that can easily invade our souls. 

      The news bombards us with bleak information. I prefer lighting a candle, instead of cursing darkness.  I keep my face towards the sun. I focus on the blessings I receive from God and the love I enjoy from friends and family.

      Just for today, would you mind sharing about one person that you are grateful for?

      It would be wonderful if you shared about someone who made a difference in your life. Please include details, that made this person influential.  That would be terrific.  Would it be possible to introduce this person, who had a strong impact upon you?

Emerging from Confusion:The value of walking a spiritural path. Gaining an encouraging perspective during trying times 5/11/11

      Hey, can you tell me what you are thankful for? What are things that make your heart sing with praise?  Hearing your encouraging words uplifts my spirit.  

     Going through a good time, addressing important priorities, getting them resolved, is heartening. Such has been the recent case for me.  There was a period, a week and a half, earlier, where I faced plenty of uncertainties

Reassuring a Little Girl

   

       Dear denizens of the Attitude of Gratitude Inn,

This story was forwarded to me this weekend. On the off chance that you haven't read this story, which is attributed as true, I share it with you. I especially relate to it.  A cat dear to me is dying: Alexander the Gray. He's an intelligent, spiritual, silvery-tipped, Russian Blue. Alexander has been getting subcutaneous fluids for over two years, due to renal failure.His medications now make him wobbly. His gig is almost up.

       The other day, when I dropped by, he got between me and the laptop I was using while waiting for my friend, who lives at Alex's house.  His big eyes stared into mine, quietly---but persistently---they pled for affection. I'm a sucker when gently entreated. Together, he and I spent time; he received the unique back rub down his spine that I give, which he likes. I sure would like someone from the Dead Letter Department of the local post office to send me a comforting letter, when Alex goes to cat heaven. May the tale that follows warm some cockles within your bosom, thereby contributing to your attitude of gratitude today. 

       May this Lord's Day bless you and yours,  

      The Innkeeper

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     Our 14-year-old dog Abby died last month.  The day after she passed 

away my four-year-old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about 

how much she missed Abby.  She asked if we could write a letter to God 

so that when Abby got to heaven, God would recognize her.  I told her 

that I thought we could so, and she dictated these words:

 
     Dear God,

 
Will you please take care of my dog?  She died yesterday and is with you

in heaven.  I miss her very much. I'm happy that you let me have her as

my dog even though she got sick.  I hope you will play with her. She likes

to swim and play with balls.  I'm sending a picture of her so when you 

see her you will know that she is my dog.  I really miss her.

  

     We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abby and Meredith

and addressed it to God/Heaven.  We put our return address on it.  Then

Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she

said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven. 

That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at the post office.  A 

few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet.  I told her that 

I thought He had.

 
       Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front 

porch addressed, 'To Meredith' in an unfamiliar hand.  Meredith opened it. 

Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, 'When a Pet Dies.'  Taped to 

the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened

envelope. On the opposite page was the picture of Abby & Meredith 

and this note:

 
      Dear Meredith,

 
Abby arrived safely in heaven.  Having the picture was a big help; I
recognized her right away.  Abby isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here
with me just like it stays in your heart.  Abby loved being your dog.
Since I have a pretty good memory,  I'm sending Abby's picture

back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to 

remember Abby by.
 

      Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping 

you write it and sending it to me.  What a wonderful mother you have.

I picked her especially for you.  I send my blessings every day and 

remember that I love you very much.  By the way, I'm easy to find. 

I'm wherever there is love.

 
      With all my Love,
 
           God

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      Let me know what you think.