Tag: gratitude

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God’s Gifts

I am having a hard time focusing on a particular topic these past few days. Then, a Godsend, I got an email from my soul sister, Mary.  This is a new term for our friendship, a precious gift that has spanned 40 plus years. It came about because of one of my blog posts where we both learned we shared one more experience. We had both lost a sibling at birth. To a list of many, we have one more shared one. It was one more confirmation that we are all here to share our life lessons.

I heard from Mary very early this morning–a red flag whenever you hear from someone either earlier or later than normal. She had lost her Uncle Ber and making arrangements to go back to Iowa. Many years ago, I was lucky enough to meet her uncle. I did not know a lot about him. I did know that he was important to her and was a strong and positive male role model for her.

Her loss reminded me of all the people who had come into my life over the years. I was incredibly blessed by family who supported my sisters and I when no one else was around. I wish so often that I could go back and thank all of them for all the sacrifices they made for us.

There is a lot here to think about and share. For now, I encourage everyone to think back to those people in your life who were always there for you–without fail. God sent many people into my life to help my family and me through the years right after my mom died. I certainly never thanked them or appreciated them enough.

I will be making my notes and encourage you to do the same. Include the names of those who have helped you along the way without asking for anything in return.

I send you my love and sympathy, dear friend and soul sister, Mary Kelly Moline. Safe journey back home to Waterloo. Know I will be joining you in raising a glass, toasting the good life and kindness of Uncle Ber.

I love you.

I am…

B…simply being…

God bless.

Peace

 

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Gratitude

My post yesterday focused on the book, Simple Abundance.  As I mentioned last night, the main purpose of this book is gratitude and how being thankful for your blessings is important and by being thankful can actually draw more blessings into your life.

I believe that this was a set up for today.

Today was very interesting for many reasons. My to-do list went quickly–score one–all my chores were completed fairly successfully. I stayed focused–score two–no small feat these days–I was able to make actual human, verbal contact with everyone I contacted–score three.

Attached is a picture of the first of the gifts that came my way today. This first surprise came by way of our great mail carrier, Debbie, who handed me a package from my sister, Sue, and her husband Al. They had visited us last month and they sent a thank you PACKAGE. Not just an email or a text or even a posted thank you card. This was a box filled with treats. They sent us Kona coffee, a bag of the same shortbread cookies they had with them when they visited–both Michael and I LOVED them, a red velvet cake mix with everything you need to make it, and a new apron to add to my very limited apron supply–something I was consistently whining about when they were here.  As precious as these gifts were, a bigger bonus was the handmade thank you card. Not just a card but one that included a handwritten letter to both Michael and I. A letter thanking us in detail about different parts of their visit all while singing praises for our new little house in the hill country of Texas–score four.

Later this afternoon Michael came home from visiting one of his oldest friends. In his hand when he walked in the door was a bag filled with more gifts.  Dayne, and Dayne’s wife, Donna,  shared fresh squash from their garden, a great smelling candle, and a handmade quilted hot pad. Special. Thank you–score five.

All of the above things are precious to me beyond measure. I am grateful.

Thank you, God.

I am thankful for the fact that I have a wonderful family–the family I was born into and an extended family who has me accepted me without reservation–score six.

I am blessed.

I am…

B…simply being…

I love y’all. Peace.

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Another Trip to the Library

I have a great library. Now that I am retired, not only do I have more time to read but I can choose HOW I read. I can read a new book or I can re-read a book that has become a traveling companion. These select few are special and I feel as though they are “old friends.” Some have traveled with me for many years. Not only do they share their printed words, but they magically pull up memories of what was happening in my life the first time I read them. I can see where I was, who I was with, see my notes and highlighting, and physically feel what was going on in my world at the time. Oh the power of books! I am blessed to have some very big hitters.

Simple Abundance, by Sarah Breathnach, is one of my favorites. My first copy was a gift, making it very special. This book has been around for a long time, very popular in the early 90’s. It was one of the books read by a group of women I met with once a week for years. I’ll always remember the night one of the leaders of the group talked about the book, explaining what she liked about it and shared different readings with us. She had passed her copy around and we all wanted to know where we could find our own copy. She said she had a surprise for us–and handed out a copy for each of us.

The book is set up to read an entry a day. I’ll share the beginning of what Sarah wrote for January 5:

Many women today feel a sadness we cannot name. Though we accomplish much of what we set out to do, we sense that something is missing in outlives and–fruitlessly–search “out there” for answers. What’s often wrong is that we are disconnected from an authentic sense of self.   Emily Hancock

I think many of us are searching for our authentic selves. As I give my thanks for my blessings today, one of the things I am grateful for is being able to share my search with you.

God bless you with love and peace.

I am…

B…simply being…

 

 

 

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Insight

Years ago a friend of mine showed me a book she said she consulted daily. The name of the book was, A guide for the Advanced Soul, by Susan Hayward. She handed it to me and told me to open it to any page. What was written on that page, she said, was  my guidance for the day.

The book impressed me so much I bought it the next day.  I have not found the words I remember reading that night so long ago. The feeling I had while reading them has never left me. I knew that night, down to my very soul, that my life was about to change in a very big way.

What happened, you ask, that made me think something was happening in my life? Something very simple–I went out for lunch–a lunch that had been in the works for months. I finally met that friend of a friend–yes–a blind date. Love at first sight, you say? I have to say, yes. There really is a thing! I was the biggest skeptic in the world until that day. In less than an hour I had become a believer. Twenty five years later, I still believe.

Sometimes we get so caught up in the “stuff” that bombards us all day long we forget to look for the magic. You know, all those unexpected blessing that simply shower down on us at times when we least expect them and often when we need them the most. It’s some powerful stuff, love. Remember that. Do not take it for granted.

Tonight, I have consulted my guide for the advanced soul. Let me share the wisdom found:

Every moment of your life is infinitely creative and universe is endlessly bountiful. Just put forth a clear enough request, and everything your heart desires must come to you. 

                                                                                         Shakti Gawain

I wish you all peace, love, and a restful night.

I am.

B…simply being…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A Good Hair Day

I have learned that there are times when you simply need to be thankful. That’s it. Nothing more. Nothing less.

Today I had the pleasure of having a wonderful friend cut my hair. She took time out of her day off to make me feel and look marvelous. I am grateful.

It was a very good hair day. Those are rare and beg to be acknowledged.

Friday. The end of the week and nearly the end of the month. Join me in taking a few minutes to give thanks while preparing for a weekend full of more blessings.

Thank you for joining with me this week as I grow and find my space in this huge blogging community.  Until next week–

I am…

B…simply being…

I wish you love and peace, y’all.