GRATITUDE

Have you ever thought about how important a THANK YOU can be in some one's life.  It's a special thing to see the world and appreciate it, to see people around you and recognize their amazing uniqueness.
I watched two of my darling granddaughters the other day.  They were playing a make-believe game.  One gave the other a blanket and layed it over her legs.  The other said in a very prim and proper voice, "Thank you very much! You are too kind." The first one said, "I gave it to you because you look cold and I don't want you to be                                                            cold..... and besides that, I love you!"
How precious was their example to me.  Its so easy to get caught up in the problems of life..... there seems to be a never-ending supply of those, but when we let that negative mindset be our focus we are hurting ourselves, and those we love.  We become very ME oriented, we become grasping and complain that we are not happy, and that life is not fair all the while not seeing that we should look outside ourselves, to the wondrous beauty of the world.  We can have such touching and supportive relationships with friends and family and strangers we meet each day.  Have you ever been grateful for a unexpected smile from someone that you passed in the store?  Have you ever been grateful for a random conversation with someone you were sitting beside at the dealership while waiting for your car to be serviced?   When was the last time you offered a store clerk genuine appreciation for their kindness or service?
My husband often tells me how much he appreciates when I iron his shirts.  Yes, I know we are an old fashioned couple.... I have tried to teach him how to iron over the years but he seems to be all thumbs and, well, the shirts just look better if I do them.  Anyway, it makes me feel loved and appreciated when he makes these small and simple statements of gratitude.

In energy work gratitude is the power that causes all good and beneficial things to come to us. Being grateful for what you already have will attract more good to you.  What a concept!!
There are somethings we can do that will help us recognize the blessings in our lives.

*  Speak kind words to our family..... after all they are the most important people to us.
*  Enjoy the beauty of a sunrise, or the peace found in nature.
*  Complement someone for something, and find joy watching their reaction!
*  Express gratitude to God for your life and blessings
*  See how many times you can say thank you in one day.
*  Get yourself a gratitude journal and take 5 mins every night to write several things that you were
     grateful for that day.

Gratitude brings peace and beauty into your life.  What are you grateful for today?