Sunday, February 28, 2010

"Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow." -
Melody Beattie

I am grateful for my middle child! She recently had her first baby and is so excited about every thing he is doing. I am amazed at how she easily she has slipped into motherhood. When I had my first child I was so worried about everything! That doesn't seem to be the case with her. I appreciate being her mom and watching her be a new mom : )

Saturday, February 27, 2010

"Gratitude is when memory is stored in the heart and not in the mind." - Lionel Hampton


I am grateful for all of the comforts that I take for granted. I am blessed with transportation, food, and shelter that are far superior to many people in the world. I do appreciate this, though at times I forget how blessed I really am. Then I see the difficulties others face and pray for forgiveness.
Many thanks for all that I have!

Friday, February 26, 2010

"Gratitude is not only the memory but the homage of the heart rendered to God for his goodness."
Nathaniel Parker Willis


I love rivers! The beauty, power, sound, feel, everything about them. I feel so blessed to be able to spend many moments by one particular river (my Washougal ) as well as seeing others during my travels. They bring me so much peace and happiness : )

Thursday, February 25, 2010

"Christ himself wrote nothing, but furnished endless material for books and songs of gratitude and praise." - Phillip Schaff

I am grateful for the Olympics! I love to watch all the events and root for my favorite individual or team. I especially love the figure skating and have ever since I was in high school watching Peggy Fleming win the gold medal : ) I admire the perseverance and hard work that all the athletes have and feel blessed by their courage even when their event doesn't turn out as they planned. They always try to do their best.
Best of luck to all the Olympic participants!

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

"Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world." - John Milton


I am grateful for the awesome beauty of this country that I live in! There are so many places to visit in America that are totally amazing. I have been blessed to be able to visit almost all of the national parks and almost every state in the union. I feel very humble and so grateful for that opportunity : )

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

"I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder." - G.K. Chesterton


I am grateful for the happiness that I have seen today in others. Everyone I happened to meet greeted me with a smile and kind greetings. What a wonderful way to enjoy a day!

Monday, February 22, 2010

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God."
-The Bible Phil 4:6 NKJV

I am grateful for the little things that I pray about that get answered. I appreciate them as much as the big prayers. I am blessed by everyone that is answered, and there have been many. Today two small prayers were answered to add to my countless others!

Sunday, February 21, 2010

"Feeling grateful or appreciative of someone or something in your life actually attracts more of the things that you appreciate and value into your life." -Christiane Northrup

I am very grateful to live in a free country where I have the opportunity to choose my own path in life. I am so appreciative that I can live where I want, travel wherever I can, and speak out about what I believe in. What a blessing it is to live in America!

Saturday, February 20, 2010

"Reflect Each Day On All You Have To Be Grateful For And
You Will Receive More To Be Grateful For." -Chuck Danes


I am grateful for this blog that helps me to remember what blessings I have every day!
By writing down what I appreciate each day I tend to think of what is right with my life and not what is wrong : )

Friday, February 19, 2010

"Go to foreign countries and you will get to know the good things one possesses at home." - Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe


I am grateful for all the teachers that I have had throughout my life. I have learned so much from them! I appreciate all that I have been taught and feel blessed to have had their help.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Given the amount of unjust suffering and unhappiness in the world, I am deeply grateful for, sometimes even perplexed by, how much misery I have been spared.” - Dennis Prager


I feel very blessed today for answered prayers. My daughter and I had been praying for help for a difficult situation in her life and our prayers were answered. I am so grateful for the power of prayer !

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

“Ingratitude is monstrous" - William Shakespeare


I am grateful that I committed myself to writing this blog for the year. I never want to feel ungrateful and by being committed I tend to think about what I am grateful for during the day. If I start feeling sorry for myself I make myself remember what blessings there are in my life. : )

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

“Gratitude preserves old friendships, and procures new.”

I am grateful for days that I can relax and rest! I really needed that today after a full weekend of lace conference. I stayed up way too late and pushed myself too much. Today I was able to rest and it felt good.

Monday, February 15, 2010

“Gratitude changes the pangs of memory into a tranquil joy” - Dietrich Bonhoeffer


I am grateful for small acts of kindness. Whenever I try to be kind all through the day I appreciate my life so much more. I feel so blessed that many of the people who are part of my life are so very kind!

Sunday, February 14, 2010

“No one is as capable of gratitude as one who has emerged from the kingdom of night.” - Elie Weisel

The quote that I decided to put on my gratitude blog has a lot to do with what I am grateful for today. I have had some extreme "kingdoms of night" but I emerged from them with more empathy and gratitude then before. I think that we appreciate what we are grateful for more when we are refined in the fire of adversity.

Saturday, February 13, 2010

“Gratitude is a vaccine, an antitoxin, and an antiseptic” - John Henry Jowett


I am grateful for enthusiasm! It is so great to feel excited! I was in class today learning a new lace and was so jazzed to be there. Everyone else in the room was also caught up in the experience : )
It was a perfect day!

Friday, February 12, 2010

“Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.” - Marcus Tillius Cicero

I am grateful for the talent I have of making lace. I just started a lace conference today that continues through the weekend. I spent all of today trying to finish off a very large project and almost got it all done. Only a little more to do! I love this craft (even though most of my friends think I am either crazy, or extremely patient, or both : ) It totally has me hooked! I have had to work hard on it for many years to finally feel like I am possibly now an intermediate lacemaker, but I am still proud of that : )

Thursday, February 11, 2010

“Gratitude is the most exquisite form of courtesy" - Jacques Maritain

I am grateful for my youngest child "my baby!" She is always interested in what I am doing and how I am feeling. I love to talk to her and hear all the news about my grandsons : ) She is a wonderful mom too! I am blessed to have her be part of my life : )

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

“Gratitude is the sign of noble souls” - Aesop's Fables

I am grateful for my extended family. My uncles and aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews ect. ect.
I am so glad they are part of my life!

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

“Gratitude helps you to grow and expand; gratitude brings joy and laughter into your life and into the lives of all those around you.” - Eileen Caddy


I am grateful that my family and friends are always concerned about me. I know that they are genuine in their concern and it shows. I am so blessed that there are so many people who care!

Monday, February 8, 2010

“Gratitude is the memory of the heart.” - French Proverb


I went to see a movie this afternoon called "Extraordinary Measures." After seeing it I have to say that I am very grateful that my three children were healthy and had no life threatening illnesses!
It told the story of a family where two of their children had a form of Muscular Dystrophy called Pompe. The survival rate was up to nine years old, with most dying by that age. Through the help of a doctor a new drug was created and it has helped their children to keep going and thrive. It was quite heart wrenching to watch it.
I have been blessed to have children with no major health issues and I am so grateful!

Sunday, February 7, 2010

“Gratitude is when memory is stored in the heart and not in the mind." - Lionel Hampton


I am grateful to be able to share in people's difficulty and pain. Empathy was not a character trait that came easily for me until my parents passed away. Now I seem to feel a persons sorrow even if the trial they are having is not something I have experienced. I feel blessed to have this trait. I hope that I can be of some comfort to those who need it and am so grateful to those friends who showed me empathy throughout my life.

Saturday, February 6, 2010

“Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone.”

I don't know how I did it but I missed a day! Oh well.......
I am grateful that I can forgive myself for non-perfection in my life : ) I still enjoy showing my gratitude for everyday and will continue as best I can. I appreciate my acceptance of myself and my limitations!

Thursday, February 4, 2010

“Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”


I have been blessed with a desire to always keep learning. I want to continue to gain more knowledge and hope to always cherish the intelligence that I possess now. I love the excitement that I feel when I learn something new!

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

“Wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving." - Kahlil Gibran

I am so grateful for my sight. To be able to see all the beauty around me is a tremendous blessing as well as being able to do all the hobbies that I love so much!

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

“When you are grateful fear disappears and abundance appears” - Anthony Robbins


I am grateful for our first flower that bloomed today! I have all kinds of bulbs planted around our eucalyptus trees and the daffodils are always the first to bloom. I didn't realize that they were so close to opening until I looked out the window. I almost missed the first one! We have tulips, iris, daffodils and crocus that explode with color every spring. It never ceases to amaze me when they appear every year. I feel so blessed to see this beauty from God.

Monday, February 1, 2010

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” - William Arthur Ward

I am grateful for waterfalls! Anytime we are traveling and I find out there is a waterfall nearby I have to see it. Standing close to them makes my heart soar! There is so much majesty and power you can feel as you are near them. It always seems to restore my soul after visiting one. My favorites are Multnomah Falls in the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon and all of the falls in Yosemite Valley (Bridal Veil Falls, Yosemite Falls) in California. I am blessed every time I am able to see one : )