My Granny B told me, “Gratitude is your best attitude each day because there is calmness and quiet JOY to living gratefully each day.”  Her Granny B’isms, as I’ve come to call them, were her small pondering pearls of wisdom imparted during the important work we did in her kitchen.  I spent a great deal of time with my maternal grandparents during my formative years and there was a great deal of conversation and wisdom imparted!

Granny loved being in the kitchen.  She planned elaborate baking opportunities for us on Saturdays (in between watching Julia Child on PBS each week) as she told me stories about her life while quietly dispensing her B’isms.  Ironically (although never formally diagnosed), she was manic depressive.  Before there were self-help books, talk shows, and the medications used today, she created her own form of self-help and hope.  She believed strongly in her faith journey and in the power of gratitude as her personal prescription toward a deeper gratefulness for life. Somehow, celebrating daily gratitude became her habit, her attitude, and her unspoken effort.  I know she struggled during many dark days, but she kept giving her personal best, consistently applying some element of cheerfulness. Expressing gratefulness was a powerful way to positively connect with those around her.  Besides, who doesn’t like being around a person who’s genuinely grateful?  I asked her one day what motivated her:  “First thing each morning, reflect on your day ahead and aspire to be grateful with an open heart and mind. At the end of the day, think over what you have done, if you fulfilled or rejected your aspiration.  Either way, gratefully rejoice that you are able to see and go forward, no matter the outcome, with renewed clarity, confidence, and compassion in the days ahead…”  Whew…lots to ponder indeed!

So today, think back over your formative years.  Who first demonstrated the power of gratefulness with an attitude of gratitude?  If given the opportunity, what would you say to this person today?

In our complex world and challenging society, it is my sincerest hope we continue to seek and find an attitude of gratitude daily, and as always, gratefully choose to lead with hope and always in the greatest of these…love.  🙂