In our local independent bookstore today we stumbled upon a group of young writers (from the local elementary school) being led by their teacher.  While trying to play it cool, it took every ounce of my being not to join them (Daddy was with me and “shopping” so my time was limited).   What a privilege to witness some profound reflective few moments from this small group of writers discussing character point-of-view:

“Now take out your iPad and write your reader response to the character’s idea of finding gratitude and meaning in each day…” 

As one writer noted, “Gratitude is the surest way to heal a hurt and help you focus on what is good.”  Another commented, “I’ve found it’s a great way to make a difference in my day.”  A third shared, “I find more reasons to be grateful for all I have even when we really have very little in our life now.”  Finally, another chimed in, “So the way I see it, gratitude turns what you have into enough.”  BINGO!  🙂

The group challenged one another to list the things they are each thankful for today and to then pick one to write about by describing how it came to be in their life.  They asked big questions like, “What did you learn from it?” – and – “What meaning does this hold for you?”  Finally, they summed up the message by challenging each other to have an attitude of gratitude every day to make them aware of the blessings coming their way.

Good golly, I sure do miss small discussion groups, especially when young writers are involved!

So, without knowing it, they have inspired a BIG question for today:

How will you choose to have an attitude of gratitude so you appreciate the blessings coming your way?

Gratefulness is a mindset.  When we resolve to focus on the good, the good comes in miraculous ways.  I gratefully believe in you because you matter to me!

It’s no surprise to those who know and still love me anyway…I’m a recovering perfectionist and Type-A control freak.  It’s a powerful combination of strengths and weaknesses and at any given moment, our strengths often become our weaknesses.

There’s a precious, personally hand sewn reminder on my desk even today from my extraordinary former administrative assistant who worked with me for years when I served as an elementary principal (see photo–she nailed it!).  She is a master of gracefully managing my controlling perfectionism and I feel fairly certain she’s quietly in a recovery group somewhere to this day. 🙂

If we’re truly honest with ourselves, we all tend to control our lives based on our circumstances in that moment because we fear they determine our daily situations and outcomes. We quickly correlate our circumstances and feelings in place of learning to be content in any and all situations.  For a personal example, finding contentment as a current caregiver is a huge dose of this realization each day.  The exchange of caring and being cared for is full of dignity on both sides; it’s imperative we remain content in each moment regardless of what the situation presents or demands.

My truth:  I personally and gratefully work daily to be empowered by hope and JOY-filled connectedness in place of my perfectionism and controlling struggle.  The reality is everything is truly out of my control other than the attitude and effort I choose.

So here’s your grateful challenge today:

What do you personally yet gratefully work on daily in your life? 

We must be kind to ourselves; we are all working to adjust our glasses and see things daily from new transitional lenses, huh?!  Just remember to wipe away the gunk and always #ChooseLove for a sharper focus.  🙂

It’s no secret; I relish hiking with my sister and have racked up multiple miles through our years on foot with some stunning scenery in my memory.

As little girls, we hiked with our dad in the summers while on vacation in the mountains. One of us always looked up in awe of the daunting task ahead, wondering if our momentum and little legs would get us to the top. When we reached the top, our faces beamed with a sense of accomplishment, taking in the view and changing our perspective with greater confidence in place.  Dad always understood why we needed to be outside and climbing a mountain every now and then; it was his quiet way of teaching us about life. When we climbed mountains, faced challenges, hurdled obstacles, and learned from difficult situations, we were reminded we have the inner strength and power to overcome life’s challenges, just like the strength and power needed to hike for the best view.

At first even a little hill may seem like a big insurmountable mountain.  When you step back and steadily work your way up it, you realize you DO have the strength and power to achieve results. After all, the mountain, no matter how big it is, is no match for your faith and desire to climb it.  Attitude and effort are everything in life (and in climbing mountains); they are the only two things we really control. Mountains are meant to be climbed. Wounds are meant to be healed. Problems and failures are meant to become learning experiences. They all serve a purpose by making us stronger mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

While we often don’t control what happens to us, we can control how we see and climb the mountains of life (attitude and effort again). We can look at mountains as being in the way or as THE WAY to personal growth and success. We always have a choice. We can stand at the bottom overwhelmed and possibly defeated – or – we can dig down deep into our personal well to find the very best resources within ourselves and fearlessly hike onward. So here’s your question today:

What mountain are you hiking and how do you find a way to gratefully accept and conquer the challenge? 

Here’s to all of us gratefully hiking the journey called life! 🙂

As my momma would say, “Life is a balance between holding on and letting go. Sometimes we just don’t need to get stuff done; we just need to be.”  Gratefully, today was one of those unexpected times to just be…temperatures so sublime, the bluest sky imaginable, crisp breeze to propel us onward, and a path of surprises around every bend along the trail.  This is the season, after all, when nature suddenly bursts with its last colorful beauty of this year, saving up for a grand finale and final bow.  As Emily Bronte observed:  “Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree…”  St. M and I were positively giddy to go forth into the woods and trees to explore, ponder, problem solve, and wonder.  Even after we left the trail, the powerful effect of this time “just to be” remained.

Among much conversation, we marveled at the realization of how rich we are at this time and place in life.  Oh NO; I’m not talking about the bank account (as a retired public educator, trust me; that’s depressing).  I’m referring to the realization of the RICHEST things in life being free.  Actually, the richest things in life aren’t things, are they?  The rich abundance of daily gifts and bounty of simple blessings turn the ordinary into the extraordinary.  Within each day, we experience multiple opportunities to share hope, JOY, peace, and love with those around us, and if we’re observant, have them returned to us.  A simple smile, a kind gesture, exploring a new trail, sharing time with friends and family, breaking bread together, finding ways to help others…these are all a rich part of living our grateful life. So…

What RICH things (that aren’t things) are you grateful for today?

Will you please gratefully indulge me in a teachable moment?  While I might never admit it in open conversation, my own children (and the thousands of children I worked with for years) taught me so much more than I ever taught them.  Allow me to gratefully sprinkle a few child-like insights of how smart, funny, innocent, and sensible most things in life really are…

Giggles grow dendrites:  Even before we can talk, we can laugh.  We chuckle around 4 months of age in response to those around us.  Laughter creates a powerful human connection and young children laugh more than adults because of their many social interactions; laughter literally grows the brain.  Sharing a great belly laugh is, after all, one of life’s greatest JOYs, so giggle often.

Practice not perfection:  There are tricky things to try to master as a young child:  hula-hooping, using chopsticks, doing a cartwheel, catching a snowflake on your tongue, skipping stones, hanging a spoon off your nose, doing a yo-yo trick, making a paper airplane, and whistling.  Which ones have you done lately?  Which ones have you taught lately?

Ask WHY until you understand:  You probably won’t be surprised to learn that children ask an average 350 questions per day.  Asking WHY digs deeper and challenges conventional wisdom to reveal true reasons and alternative solutions.  Never be afraid to ask WHY.

Look at things upside down:  Anything is possible to a child because they see things we can’t and look for things we don’t.  They soak up new information and adapt quickly and cleverly to changing situations.  Hang on a jungle gym or swing on a swing and get a new perspective.

Sign your name BIG:  A child is his/her own champion; her/his focus is on all the things she/he does well, like learning to sign a name.  Believing you can do anything makes all the difference in the world; young children are willing to try just about anything and always believe they can.  So be proud of your name and sign it BIG!

A hug goes a long way:  Little ones love us just as we are, not as we should be.  They are quick to forgive, move on, and don’t tally the mistakes.  Naturally empathetic, kids respond quickly to someone in need and understand how the smallest gesture can make a big impact.  In all honesty, our country needs a really BIG HUG right now!  Just like Winnie-The-Pooh noted, “Sometimes, the smallest things take up the most room in your heart.”  Hug it out, people!

While I speak only for myself, I naturally gravitate to those who engage, enlighten, inspire, and empower me. Especially in retirement while providing daily care to my dad, I gratefully continue to find ways to appreciate fresh wisdom. Here’s your challenge today…

Who are you grateful for today who sprinkles fresh wisdom and perspective your way?

Find a way to sprinkle it forward!  Oh, and one more nugget of insight… ALWAYS ask for extra sprinkles! 🙂