Day 50 – LSS Attitude of Gratitude – Blog/Everyone’s Grateful – There is always something to be grateful for.

Today I grateful for lots and lots and lots of people focusing on being grateful. Friends, family, Facebook posts, email posts, and memes are all looking at gratitude right now. My peeps are with me as are the universal thoughts. Yes, I am acutely aware that it is because it is Thanksgiving, but hey why not hope my gratitude extends to the universe. LOL 

Everywhere I look right now I find many quality articles that mention gratitude. Don’t get me wrong, I am aware of the real sadness present at the time of the original Thanksgiving. I am cognoscente of the atrocities of the era. Right now on this day and date however, we choose to find things to be grateful for. For a at least short period of time we choose to not focus on the politics, the current sadness and grief in California, or the multiple unwarranted attacks around the world. There is much pain and grief around us, but for right now, we get to focus on gratitude. Just as the possibility of a  butterfly wing that moves in the rain forest can effect us in North America, I choose to believe many people focusing on gratitude can have a positive effect on the world.

Brian Clark posted on October 15, 2007

Although the concept has been around since 1890, the Butterfly Effect gained popular acceptance in 1961 due to weather prediction modeling performed by meteorologist Edward Lorenz. He found that changes that should have been statistically insignificant led to completely different weather scenarios. The butterfly analogy began in 1972, when Lorenz delivered a speech entitled Predictability: Does the Flap of a Butterfly’s Wings in Brazil set off a Tornado in Texas?

So today I choose to extend my attitude of gratitude to the world and I shall grab on to the shirttails of all those feeling gratitude.

Great Family Ideas for giving  I am grateful that there are so many terrific ideas for ways to be grateful.

Gratitude Meditation I am grateful that I can find ways to help me be grateful.

Guided imagery of gratitude

34 ways to show gratitude

50 Ways to show gratitude from Tiny Buddha

This spoke to me.  Why Thanksgiving feels Jewish

A great way too look at Thanksgiving. Random acts of kindness everyone can do.

Go above and beyond a simple thanks when you can.  Powerful ways to show gratitude.

 

I am grateful that there are unlimited ways to dispense gratitude, to express gratitude, and to feel gratitude. The world needs to experience gratitude each and every day.

 

Day 49 – LSS Attitude of Gratitude – Thanksgiving Photos – There is always something to be grateful for.

Step 1 = Johan took pictures, out of focus.

Keep trying to take a good picture.

Donna’s turn to try.

Here we go again.

Put the phone on selfie and it kept shooting without our doing anything.

Happy Thanksgiving

 

 

 

 

Day 48 – LSS Attitude of Gratitude – Blog/Lighting the Menorah – There is always something to be grateful for.

Today I am grateful for the fact that even though I am not ready for Thanksgiving I have been getting things together for Hanukkah. I love celebrating Hanukkah.  It makes me sad that Hanukkah is now celebrated more like a Jewish Christmas, WHICH IT IS NOT. I wish more people understood the meaning of my holiday. That being said, I do love that I get to share my holiday with those I care about. I am glad that they can see it just as my way to tell them I care about them. I won’t be able to do anywhere near as much in the future but this year I want to enjoy what I can. 

 Lighting the Menorah

The last three years I have been doing more than ever at school to share my holiday. I began this new tradition after my mom’s passing. It has been a tribute to her for me. I have shared the meaning and joy of the season with my staff. I am not now nor will I ever be offended if someone wishes me a Merry Christmas, as long as they are not offended by a Happy Hanukkah greeting from me.

Today I am grateful that I  sorted my items, I packaged gifts, and I posted to multiple people. I am like a little kid when I get things sent off. I feel such a sense of accomplishment. In addition to starting my Hanukkah duties, I accomplished a ton of things for Thanksgiving.

My body is mad at me for the hours of work I have done the last few days. But what else do you do when you are not at work, but work at home?  It will all get done, I have no choice. Truth be told I am glad I accomplished more than the must do list. I love Thanksgiving and I so enjoy having family join me. As long as I am physically able I will continue to make Thanksgiving a special occasion.

Day 46 – LSS Attitude of Gratitude – Blog/Preparing for Thanksgiving – There is always something to be grateful for.

I am grateful today that I am going to have a nice holiday despite anything else going on. It will be a small event with minimal guests and I am OK with that. I am keeping my promise and that is what matters to me. 

I am grateful that I get to make and have all my favorites for Thanksgiving. I love mashed potatoes more than any other side on the table. I could eat them hot, straight from the pot. I could eat them alone, I could eat them with scones. (maybe not) I could eat them all night. I don’t want them out of my sight. I will eat them in piles, but I can’t  share them with Myles. I think I am too tired to continue. Good night. 

Day 44 – LSS Attitude of Gratitude – Blog/Thanksgiving Past – There is always something to be grateful for.

 

Today I am grateful for my memories of Thanksgivings past. As I contemplate what I am making and what new items to try, I have been deep in thought of all the holidays I have shared.  

 

Most people love Christmas and Hanukkah.

I understand that these are holidays of giving and sharing. I love to spoil those I love and that will never change. But that being said, Thanksgiving is just so special to me. From the many many times I shared the holiday at my aunt’s house, to the chaos and trials of cooking as a new homemaker I have loved Thanksgiving.  I enjoy researching and trying new recipes. I enjoy inviting those that need a place to share my special meal. I enjoy sharing my traditions with others and my home is always open to new people. I promised my aunt many years ago that once she was not up to making the meal any longer I would continue the tradition. I have held true to my word. My memories of my children as little ones and now their children as little ones hold fast and strong in my heart. I remember the hand shaped turkeys my kids made as centerpieces as well as rocks and twigs in a kid made cornucopia. Oh the days before Pinterest when a child’s decorations were all you needed. 

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”– John Fitzgerald Kennedy

My meals with all the grandkids have been few and far between. All the kids and grandkids together brought me delight. Add my aunt and uncle and I was in heaven. Oh the joy the one time when Hanukkah fell on Thanksgiving. I went a little crazy with Thanksgivikah decorations. You need to go nuts on a once in a lifetime event. Next year my aunt’s birthday will be on Thanksgiving. It will be her 94th. G-d wiling we will share this special event with more family around. One can hope.

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.”– Melody Beattie

I remember the few times long ago when my spouse drove to Arizona to bring my mom here for thanksgiving. Four, six hour long drives for him meant sheer bliss for me. When it became too difficult for her to travel we often drove there on Thanksgiving after the family left. Our go to for meals on the road was always Denny’s. At least you knew what to expect when you went there. On Friday I would make everything again at her house. When the drive became too difficult for me I started flying there for our visit. I always enjoy having family for Thanksgiving. The truest words YOUR PRESENCE IS YOUR PRESENT. There is not much better than sharing this holiday of time spent with your family. I am grateful I still have this holiday celebration in my life.