Blogging Your Blessings

Sometimes we all feel deflated or overwhelmed, someone or something hurts us or disappoints us, or we hear bad news about a loved one’s medical condition. On those days, when you feel your light has gone out, remember there is always a glimmer of hope and something to be thankful for. You can be a light for others in dark days. Albert Schweitzer said it well: “Sometimes our light goes out, but is blown again into instant flame by an encounter with another human being. Each of us owes the deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this inner light.” Be a beacon of light n the dark. 

Forego using technological devices today. Texting your friend, watching your favorite show, checking your email—all can wait until tomorrow! Turn off your devices and turn on your senses! Read a book, cook a meal, and enjoy the outdoors by taking a walk or tending to your garden. Technology distracts us from the real world, occupying our attention with game applications, chat rooms, social media website, commercials, and so on. Want to know what’s going on in the news? Read a newspaper. Be aware of the here and now by finding activities that don’t require electricity or a battery. Just turn off the tv, unplug and recharge.

Choose to Be Happy This is your life, only you can truly control your choices, and choosing thankfulness and happiness is the best way to achieve being a good to yourself as well as the world. Here are some suggestions for how you can ensure simple joy in your life: ·   Be the best you can be by your own standards ·   Surround yourself with people who inspire you and make you feel good ·   Focus on what you have, not what you lack ·   Optimism trumps pessimism every time! ·   Smile often and genuinely ·   Be honest, to yourself and to others ·   Help others ·   Embrace your past, live in the present, and look forward for what is yet to come

"In normal life we hardly realize how much more we receive than we give, and life cannot be rich without such gratitud"e.— Dietrich Bonhoeffer

In normal life we hardly realize how much more we receive than we give, and life cannot be rich without such gratitude.— Dietrich Bonhoeffer The unthankful heart discovers no mercies; but the thankful heart will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings.—Henry Ward Beecher Gratitude looks to the Past and love to the Present—C.S. Lewis