The Quality of Being Grateful!

It's no doubt that gratitude can change our attitude, our day and our lives. 
Instead of looking to the elusive dreams and wants of what we could have/should have it's nice to take a look at our loved ones and surroundings through eyes of gratefulness.  
What is it that makes you grateful today?  
We often overlook those wonderful things on a daily basis.  

I've been challenged by Jenn to share a few moments that have gotten me through this year.  I'd like to expand that to moments and things and I've got 10 of them to share with you today!
1.  Can I be grateful for gratitude?  
Seems a bit redundant, doesn't it?  
I am trying to cultivate a daily intentional effort to see past the mundane and see my life through new eyes!  

2.  Oh how I love music!  I play the guitar and piano and have a love of all things acoustic.  When I was a young girl, music moved me in a way that words couldn't and it's still the same today.  What can be better than poetry and music expressed as a song?  I love acoustic/guitar driven worship music that focuses on lifting up the Lord.

3. I've been delving into the world of paper planning and I can clearly see the improvement of my memory and calendar schedule.  I was trying to do the digital thing for years but it never reinforced those dates and times into my brain.  Writing my dates and to do lists on my monthly spread, on a weekly spread, and referring to it on a daily basis, has helped me see that my memory isn't as bad as I thought!  It really makes a difference for me!  
You can see my planning posts HERE.

4 Bible Journaling has become a wonderful way of worship to me.  I'm not artsy or craftsy but I do love to express myself.  
You can see some of my journaling HERE.

5  I love photography and I carry my camera with me everywhere I go.  I love to think creatively and see beauty in ordinary every day life.  Capturing that 'perfect' moment is something that I strive for and brings me great joy. 
You can see some of my work HERE

6  In March of 2013 I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.  I know for many it's a horrible disease with tragic side effects but for me it's been a means to a positive end.  I've been able to control my blood sugar levels by diet and my glucose numbers are within normal parameters without any meds or insulin.   I've also lost 45 pounds as a result of changing my diet.  I'm not glad to say I have diabetes but I am glad that it's caused me to re-evalulate my health and life and make positive changes while avoiding side effects.  

7  Clean Eating has been a game changer for me and has revolutionized my life.  I was once plagued with asthma, bronchitis, acid reflux, an ulcer, bad knees and being overweight.  I still have about 30 more pounds to go but upon changing my diet all of those symptoms and sicknesses that are mentioned above have gone away.  I never realized that what we put into our bodies has such an incredible effect on how they function.  AMAZING!  

8  My wonderful family (both my real family and church family) has been such a blessing to me!  I am so grateful for them!  

9 Words cannot describe how much I love and appreciate my husband.  We've been through so much together and I am so honored to be his wife and companion of over 25 years.  He is a wonderful man!

10  My wonderful family (both my real family and church family) has been such a blessing to me!  I am so grateful for them!  

11  I know this list is 10 things but I'm going to throw in a bonus because this last one is the most important to me.  I am so grateful for the Love of God.  Time and time again the Lord has proven Himself faithful in so many ways.  His wonderful mercy has lifted me out of the depths of despair and He has done wonderful miracles for me.  

I've got a daily gratitude challenge going over on my facebook page so please join me!
If you'd like to get updates from my facebook page please click HERE to follow and get notifications.  I'd love to hear from you here on the blog as well so please leave a comment!
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Grace & Truth Link-up @ Busy Being Blessed

                








18 comments

  1. So many wonderful things to be thankful for! Thanks for sharing and happy Thanksgiving :-)

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    1. Thank you Tamara! Happy Thanksgiving to you as well!

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  2. So many people would see your diagnosis as a cause for just alarm, you saw it as a call to action. You truly do have a lot to be grateful for.

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  3. I approve of being grateful every day and not just in November. You seem to have much to be thankful for!

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    1. Agree Robin! Intentional gratitude is something to practice daily!

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  4. It's nice to take a few minutes and think about what's important in our lives. Great list.

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  5. Grateful for gratitude...when you think about it...it really isn't redundant. How important it is to realize the importance of a positive outlook and good attitude. It is necessary in life to focus on the things that bring us joy when sometimes the world around us can be overwhelming.

    I find that I enjoy my life more when I keep my gratitude journals. It has been a while since I have journaled...I think I need to get back to it!

    I love that you kept going with your list!!! (Rule breaker ;) )

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    1. Thanks for your kind comment Jenn! I have toyed with the idea of starting an art journal and need to do that!

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  6. I "preach" this all the time and as I do that -- I am doing it more to myself than anyone else. You can take a positive spin on no matter what happens to you. Last month, after an extreme letdown my hubby gave me a card of encouragement and signed it "you are one in a billion". When I asked him why he told me that after watching me for 45 years he realized that I always find a reason to be grateful no matter what happens. The amazing part is that I did not realize he saw that -- I guess it is second nature to me and I am GRATEFUL for that.

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    1. Congratulations on 45 years of marriage! That is definitely something to be grateful for! It's wonderful that your hubby can see that you have always been one to cultivate your heart to be grateful!

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  7. Such a beautiful post! Great list of thanksgiving. :)
    And that quote - wow, love it! I'm going to have to use that for my site. :)
    Thanks so much for linking with Grace & Truth this week!
    God bless,
    Jenn

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    1. Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving a comment Blessed Mama!

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  8. I try to do a gratitude check with my husband at night when we go to bed. It's especially helpful on the days when one of us is in a bad mood!

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  9. I am going to check into your paper planning strategies! I think I may have to go back to it, as well. Lately, my brain literally feels on overwhelm and I feel like my memory is gone. Thanks!
    Blessings and smiles,
    Lori

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    1. Paper Planning is soooo much fun since it combines a bit of scrapping and creativity with planning. It also helps me since I tend to forget everything! :)

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