Tag Archives: thankful

Give Thanks in All Circumstances

Posted on by under Daily Inspiration

It is written, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Happy Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving is a funny holiday to celebrate, because we’re called to give thanks every day, in ALL circumstances. That means even when we’re in the dark, and we can’t see how God is at work, we give thanks.

Here’s a simple list to get us started. I’d love to hear what you’re thankful for, too! Let’s start with the small things, because truly, there is so much!

I’m thankful for waking up today.

For the ability to breath and walk and laugh.

I’m thankful for fresh air. That when I walk outside I feel safe.

I’m thankful for other people. Old friends with whom I share a history and strangers whom I have yet to meet.

I’m thankful that I can trust people, because I trust myself.

I’m thankful for clean drinking water and that I never have to worry about when my next meal will be.

I’m thankful that I have a warm place to sleep at night and a roof over my head…

Okay, your turn!

Thanksgiving

Posted on by under Daily Inspiration, Personal Life Reflections

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! What are you thankful for?

thankful

I’m thankful for waking up today. For the ability to breath and walk and laugh. I’m thankful for fresh air. That when I walk outside I feel safe. I’m thankful for other people. Old friends with whom I share a history and strangers whom I have yet to meet. I’m thankful that I can trust people, because I trust myself. I’m thankful for clean drinking water and that I never have to worry about when my next meal will be. I’m thankful that I have a warm place to sleep at night and a roof over my head.

It’s mind boggling, really, when I think of everything I have. It’s a wonder every day isn’t Thanksgiving. Indeed, it should be.

The Only Thanksgiving Recipe You’ll Ever Need

Posted on by under How To/Advice, Personal Life Reflections

Happy (almost) Thanksgiving to all of you!

I know many people are busy preparing recipes for their Thanksgiving feast but today, I want to offer you the opportunity to make a more meaningful Thanksgiving Recipe. This recipe is not about food that you eat, but rather it’s about food for your soul. Its ingredients consist not of turkey and gravy but of joy and meaning.

If you have five minutes, I encourage you to try this out. I recently completed my own Thanksgiving Recipe with my personal Ingredients for Joy and Meaning and I think that it has immense benefits. I’ll explain more later on…

Are you ready? Here we go…

Grab a pen and paper and make a list that answers this question: “When things are going really well in your life, what does it look like?”

Call the list “My Thanksgiving Recipe: Ingredients for Joy and Meaning.” This is your personal Thanksgiving Recipe and I promise you it will be more fulfilling than any other dish you feast upon this holiday season.

Here is a sample with some of the items from my personal Thanksgiving Recipe: Ingredients for Joy and Meaning (to give you some ideas):

– Eating Healthy
– Exercising regularly
– Plenty of sleep
– Lots of time spent in the company of friends
– Meaningful work that doesn’t consume me
– Time spent reading and writing
– Going to church regularly
– Plenty of time to spend with my dog
– Time for singing, dancing, and performing
– Creating and regularing sharing my work with other people
– Not being overly concerned or consumed by family affairs and/or drama
– Time spent outside/exploring
– Adventures and new experiences
– Someone to go on adventures and share these new experiences with who equally enjoys them
– Connecting deeply and spiritually with at least one other person
– Romance
– Progressing towards an established and realistic goal

Once you have finished your Thanksgiving Recipe: Ingredients for Joy and Meaning, now I want you to write a “Dream List” consisting of all of the things that you want to accomplish and/or acquire in your lifetime.

After you’ve completed both lists, compare the two.

I think you may be surprised to find, as I was, that nothing on my “Dream List” in any way enhances or changes my “Thanksgiving Recipe: Ingredients for Joy and Meaning” list.

In other words, if we can simply let go of our “Dream List” and begin to embrace our “Ingredients for Joy and Meaning” list, we’ll realize that we’re already living out our dreams, right now. What more could we possibly have to be thankful for?!

As you go about your Thanksgiving holiday, feel free to pass along this important recipe to your loved ones. And remember, gratitude and joy always go hand in hand.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I’m Thankful For All of You

Posted on by under Personal Life Reflections, Uncategorized

On this Thanksgiving, I’d like to express my gratitude to all of you, my readers.

You inspire me every day.

I seem to have a lot of people who follow this blog but I’m not sure how many of you actually read my work, much less enjoy it. Judging actual impact is one of those difficult, non tangible tasks that us bloggers are faced with.

But I want to make an impact. Nothing fills my cup more than sharing wisdom with people who are thirsty for it. With that being said, responses, opinions, thoughts, and feedback are encouraged and appreciated. In particular, I’m curious for an answer to this question: If I wrote a book, would you read it? Please respond in the comment section.

Happy Thanksgiving. Thank you for all the joy that you bring to me. Thank you for sharing your own personal stories and allowing for me to share mine. I pray that we continue to grow together.

Much love to you all.

 

Growing Up

Posted on by under Daily Inspiration, Thought for the Day

I don’t know why so many people say, “Do I have to grow up?” Me personally, I love growing up. Things seem to clarify year after year. I grow stronger and stronger, more sure of myself and My Maker. Yes, indeed, it’s joyous to grow up, to grow at all, in fact.

Appreciate Your Exes

Posted on by under Relationships & Love

Don’t underestimate the value of your failed relationships. Sure, relationships can (and often do) fail. But certainly, there is no failure in relationship. Relationship itself is always a gain.

These people, even if they’re the wrong ones, are the ones teaching you the most about yourself, what you do and don’t want in a mate, and ultimately preparing you for the one to whom you are destined. For this, if for nothing else, you ought to be able to muster at least a smidgen of appreciation 😉

I’m Thankful for You

Posted on by under Personal Life Reflections

The outpouring of love and support since the tragedy has been breathtaking. I am so grateful for each and every person who has reached out, from strangers to family, you’ve each helped me in a unique way all your own. My world was snatched like a rug from underneath my feet on June 11, 2012 when I lost my best friend and the love of my life. Since then, my life has changed dramatically. Everything that I thought I knew, all of our plans, our future, our dreams, they had to adjust. And that takes time. But today, I’m happy to say my feet are finally back on the ground. Although my knees shake, today, I stand. Nothing can fill the huge gap in my heart that now exists but that’s the beautiful part, I’m learning to live with this opening, to embrace it. It’s where our memories live, our love, and his spirit. It is this daring, fearless, and gentle spirit that I will continue to imitate in my own life. His absence has gone through me like a thread. Everything I do is stitched with his color.

Posted on by under Christian Spirituality, Uncategorized

Most of us agree: we’re blessed. Our lives are full of good things like family, friendship, love, career, success, money, food, music, nature and on and on. But let us remember these good things for what they are: gifts. Rather than clinging to or obsessing over any of these gifts, may we instead cling to and become obsessed with the Giver.

good gifts