“The longer I live, the more beautiful life becomes.” – Frank Lloyd Wright
Last year my daughter and I painted a little wooden box with the word “grateful” on top. I set it on a shelf in our family room and we created a ritual of writing down what we are thankful for on a particular day. And sometimes my son comes along, pulls out the drawer and dumps all the little pink slips onto the floor. Which creates a whole other practice of counting the things we are grateful for. 🙂
But I love Thanksgiving for the practice of making me think about what all those daily gratitudes amount to in the big picture.
I am thankful for my divorce. It brought me to a complete halt. But sometimes there is no way to go a different direction unless you stop going the previous direction.
I am thankful for that insistent whisper that I had to talk to my dad about his life and faith. But for that, I would have never broached the subject that opened us up to so many dear and delightful conversations because I was afraid that my views, my meditation practice and my faith were too different.
I am thankful for the gut wrenching desire to have a family even as an unmarried woman in her late 40’s. There was nothing in my previous life that would have marked me as a go-it-on-your-own person before that overwhelming guidance made it impossible to ignore.
I am thankful to the deep need to share with others that has led me to write. The daily practice of blogging has created a depth, thoughtfulness and perspective in me that has enriched my life. It has also enabled me to meet and read so many delightful and wise people whose paths I wouldn’t have crossed otherwise.
I am thankful that all of these things have come together in a way with my faith in God so that I KNOW this is my life to lead. On the many days that I’m so incredibly tired, I am just tired, not resentful because this is my path.
I’m grateful that my list of people, events and things to be thankful for is long and getting longer. I’ve known times in my life when it was getting shorter. It has made me appreciate the many blessings and the beauty of this world with deeply.
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
A lovely share, thank you 🙏
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Sending gratitude for you!
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Thank you for sharing!!.. have a wonderful and Happy Thanksgiving holiday filled with love and happiness!!.. 🙂
Until we meet again…
May flowers always line your path
and sunshine light your way,
May songbirds serenade your
every step along the way,
May a rainbow run beside you
in a sky that’s always blue,
And may happiness fill your heart
each day your whole life through.
(Irish Saying)
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Thank you, Dutch! Sending blessings and wishes that your Thanksgiving is filled with the same!
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A Happy Thanksgiving to you, too, and to the two souls you chose to bring into your life ❤
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Thank you, Rosaliene! So grateful that blogging has provided the opportunity to cross paths with you. Sending you wishes for a wonderful Thanksgiving!
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Likewise, Wynne ❤
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Thankful for people like you who help spread positive thoughts and helpful advice!
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Right back at you, Tamara! So grateful that I’ve crossed paths with you and your deep wisdom! Sending my best!
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Thanks so very much Wynne! Have a wonderful weekend!
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Your “Attitude of Gratitude” is a refreshing encouragement Wynne, and you are counted among my countless, undeserved blessings He has brought along my life’s path to be thankful for.
Happy Thanksgiving . . . Be Blessed!
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I’m so grateful for you, Fred and feel the same gratitude that He brought our paths to cross. Wishing you a wonderful and blessed, Thanksgiving!
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A lovely list of great and meaningful things to be thankful for. Enjoy your and happy Thanksgiving long weekend!
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Thank you, Ab!
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Excellent. Great perspective. I want to broach the idea of the thankfulness box with my family.
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Thanks, Betsy! Grateful for you, my new friend! 🙂
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Awhh. Back atcha! (I already know of the perfect box we can use too…)
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