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09/17/08
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I was recently asked to think about
what I was grateful for and if I could
share these thoughts with you guys.
Hmm. ...that’s a pretty big question,
isn’t it? It’s really quite difficult
to know where to start actually. Do I
start with my fabulous children who
make me smile more than once every
single day? Or should I tell you about
my husband who supports me in
everything I attempt regardless of
whether or not I am likely to succeed
or fail. Or do I think about all the
material comforts I am so amazingly
lucky to have? It’s just so hard
because now that I’ve been asked to
think about it, there’s just so much in
life to be grateful for and I don’t
know how to narrow it down for you.
I suppose that some of you who just
read that paragraph above might be
thinking “Boring. She’s got it all. I
hate her already!” Perhaps you’re nicer
than me and didn’t actually think that
but I wouldn’t blame you if you felt a
little jealous. It sounds like I have a
wonderful, rich, life with a perfect
family to match. Well, you know what?
It’s true. My kids truly are beautiful
in every way. My daughter, (7), is very
pretty and one of the most intelligent
in her class. My son, (4), is
extraordinarily handsome (it doesn’t
matter that I’m biased, you see) and is
a natural athlete. And my baby, (1), is
wonderfully affectionate and full of
personality. My husband is kind and
always makes me cups of tea without me
having to ask. He will run to the shops
to replenish my chocolate supply as
soon as I request it even if it’s late
at night and he already has his pj’s
on. And I live in a comfortable house
with a sparkling pool and a playground
in the front yard that is the envy of
all the neighbourhood kids. I mean,
what more could I ask for?
Now, don’t get me wrong. Try not to
think “Oh please – pass me the spew
bucket!” I am not exceedingly wealthy,
don’t enjoy model good looks (you
should see the monstrous zit smack bang
in the middle of my cheek!) and my life
is definitely not without its problems.
But I can choose to focus on what I DO
have, not on what I don’t have. It’s a
simple little mind trick I can play on
myself and just by looking at what I do
have, I can instantly feel more
appreciation, gratitude and HAPPINESS.
It’s pretty easy.
For example, my house is just an
ordinary middle class suburban house. I
drive a car that is 7 years old and
quite messy (think sand, lots of odd
shoes, masses of toys, books, crayons –
you get the picture) and my kids are
often quite naughty and frustrating!
But I don’t need to dwell on these
things. If I concentrate instead on the
fact that I HAVE a house to shelter my
beautiful family, that I HAVE a car
that allows me to wiz around to every
after school activity under the sun,
that I HAVE kids when some couples are
not so fortunate (or when some kids
face life threatening illnesses) – I
can’t help but think “Wow! I am so
grateful for all that I have in my
life.” See – I choose not to focus on
how much it annoys me when my hubby
refuses to understand the importance of
putting the dirty dishes in the
dishwasher after rinsing them
excessively.
It’s a different way of thinking for
me, I must admit. Not that I used to
brood inordinately on the negatives or
anything, but I suppose I didn’t
necessarily dwell on the positives
either. But it’s so easy and so damn
effective. Since I have focused on the
things in my life I can be grateful
for, I have become more satisfied in
life and have learnt to recognise that
when I am in this happier state of
mind, it benefits me, my children, my
husband and even my friends. After all,
who doesn’t want to be around a chirpy
type? It beats hanging around a sad
sack, doesn’t it?
I think I will write about this thought
more. The power of gratitude fascinates
me now and I look forward to seeing
what else I can achieve when I think
about all the good stuff!
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09/23/08
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That's really powerful, thank you for sharing that.
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09/25/08
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If I was thinking about what I am
grateful for I would start with my
mind, and go through my senses - my
eyesight, my hearing, my sense of
smell, the experience of touch... Just
for starters... I'll come back and add
more about who and what I am most
grateful for - even if it's just a
ritual that reminds me to share it -
and in the process I'm thinking about
it... and that means I'm feeling it -
and that means I get all of the mental
& physical benefits of this positive
emotion. Yippee... Kim S
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