Count the blessings....big or small...that's where you'll find your joy.
What one thing could you do today to shift your attitude toward the Monday blues? I'd love your comments.
In my current profession as a Zumba® Fitness instructor, I teach four morning classes each week. As a result, I don't get the opportunity take a shower until well into the late morning, four days a week. Monday is the ONLY day I don't have a morning class, so indulging in and enjoying a shower first thing in the morning on this day is a GIFT. Monday is also my day to work on tasks and to-do list items, or simply to do nothing at all. I get to choose ~ which makes Monday one of my favorite days of the week.
Count the blessings....big or small...that's where you'll find your joy. What one thing could you do today to shift your attitude toward the Monday blues? I'd love your comments.
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Finding joy doesn’t always have to come from the big things. Sometimes that little squeal of delight can be released as a result of something small, but
equally as thrilling, as some of life’s larger events. Several years ago, as a Christmas gift, I took my mother, my two daughters and my three nieces to High Tea. All the girls dressed up and we sat together as a family enjoying the tea fare….finger sandwiches, salads, cookies, a variety of oh-so-yummy desserts, and of course….tea. Each person at the table was able to choose from a wide array of tea options. While I can’t remember what any of the girls chose, or even what I selected, I do remember my mother chose the apricot tea. That tea was one of the most delicious teas I’d ever tasted. Since that time, and it’s been many years since then, I have searched for an apricot tea to keep in my pantry. Trust me, it is not an easy find! Today my daughter Samantha and I had to make another long trek to Lancaster for ONE single solitary soccer game. That’s an hour and 45 minute drive each way! Since it was just the two of us and we had no place to be after the game, we stopped at this little place called Charlie Brown Farms on the way back home. This place is chock full of foods, snacks, candies, gift items, fudge, a real barrel of dill pickles, a deli, fresh fruits and veggies, soft drinks you’ve never heard of, beef jerky, coffees…..and tea! And guess what I found while I was there? Yep…a box of apricot tea. Ask my daughter….I literally did let out a little squeal. It was a moment of joy that will continue each time I brew myself a cup. Sometimes it’s just the little things that make you feel the happiest. Wouldn’t you agree? 1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step. 3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. 4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch. 5. Pay off your credit cards every month. 6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree. 7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone. 8. It's ok to get angry with God. He can take it. 9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck. 10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile. 11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present. 12. It's ok to let your children see you cry. 13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about. 14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it. 15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry...God never blinks. 16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind. 17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful. 18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger. 19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else. 20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer. 21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today IS special! 22. Over prepare, then go with the flow. 23. The most important sex organ is the brain. 24. No one is in charge of your happiness but you. 25. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple. 26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years will this matter?" 27. Always choose life. 28. Forgive everyone everything. 29. What other people think of you is none of your business. 30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time. 31. Howevere good or bad a situation, it WILL change. 32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does. 33. Believe in miracles. 34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do. 35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now. 36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young. 37. Your children only get one childhood. 38. All that truly matters in the end is that you are loved. 39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere. 40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab back ours. 41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need. 42. The best is yet to come... 43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up! 44. Eat more ice cream. 45. Don't count calories. I used to walk around with this great attitude of abundance being everywhere in my little world. I treasured every little penny I found, which often led to finding more sizable coinage. I believed and therefore received that delicious corner parking spot. I even looked forward to those juicy cashable checks that would often appear in my mailbox. I swear to you…these things happened often. Like so many though, I started buying into this “economy”, feeling the squeeze, fearing the future and basically coming from a place of lack. Ugh! What a horrible place to be!
The other day I read something, somewhere (as I often do) and decided that every little penny I found would once again become something of significance in my life. That led to a grander feeling of being back in appreciation for everything that comes my way. I also decided to start playing the “bonus” game again with my kids. The bonus game is simple: you acknowledge a sense of gratitude for what little (or big!) things show up in your life as evidence of abundance….whether it be a penny, a shiny marble, a beautiful fall leaf, or in our case, a beach ball. This past weekend as my girls and I were driving to the ice cream store, I saw this large colorful beach ball sitting in the gutter. It was fabulous…so puffy and bright! From about 200 yards away I yelled, “Look a beach ball!” and both of my girls (ages 10 & 14 mind you) encouraged me to stop and get it. So we did. I slowed down, pulled over, and my oldest hopped out of the car and grabbed the beach ball. When she got back into the car, I said, “That’s our bonus for the day” to which her reply was, “How long has it been since we played THAT game?” She was so right, and I quickly added how we were starting it back up again. Both of them seemed delighted. Thank you universe for our happy beach ball that reminds us that life can be fun, bouncy and full of surprises if we keep our hearts and minds in a place of allowing and gratitude. This very morning while sorting through one of my “piles”, I found two old checks totalling $115.00 that I never cashed. I also received an email from a fellow associate with a new homebuyer lead. Coincidence? I think not. So…get grateful, get happy and be open to all that is good, delicious and wonderful. You may be surprised at how much more of it shows up in your life. Years of reading, listening, questioning, searching, exploring and living have led me right to this: a place where I can write for inspiration. Inspiration for you and for me - a place where we can all contribute and learn from each other by offering up a place of hope and encouragement and love.
I want to give my first public kudos to my friend Stacey. She was brought to me through the winds of our shared Twilight/Edward addiction and she is the person who gave me inspiration for the name of my website. Thank you, Stacey, for listening and encouraging me to follow my heart. Muwah muwah! My second public kudos goes out to a young girl in Texas named Megan. Twenty years my junior and she has inspired me to take action on what is in my heart and mind, simply by being herself. Visit her at www.mypinkroadmap.com and say "hey, Kim sent me". It is my hope that you will find a place of comfort by coming to visit here often. I will post items that touch my heart and always allow you the place and time to stop by and be exactly who you are. I will never try to change you - I will only offer you the desire to find your joy in the moments of your life. My own practice has made my life more full. Allow me to open your world to the gift of gratitude and joy. I thank you for visiting. Let the fun begin. |
AuthorMy name is Kim. Mother to two fabulous girls, wife to a loving, supportive husband, and a friend to whoever will have me. It is my goal to offer you a place to be yourself, find inspiration, and in turn, touch the lives of others. You'll find my main blog over at http://gratefulkim.wordpress.com/ Archives
August 2012
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