Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Gratitude was suggested as a topic for today because it helps us to embrace the minor moments where miracles show up. Listen to a quick story from 29 years ago. A friend recognized one of Linda’s most important needs at a stressful time while stuck in a waiting room of a hospital.
The friend went out of her way in the midst of a blizzard to provide a shopping bag of her fresh fruit. As it turned out, Linda was stuck there for 5 weeks in an ICU waiting room and a vending machine would not have been the best option. More than the fruit though, it told her someone was recognizing her needs and showing a real concern for her. Wow, don’t we all want to do that for other people? Wouldn’t you want to be that thoughtful person who took the action?
The beauty in that gesture of seeing Linda’s needs and doing something special blessed her then and the memory continues to bring joy even today. It also prompted Linda to give the friend a call in the midst of recording this episode.
Being thoughtful of others is never lost. Whether it is taking the time to send a card, attending an event, showing up at a hospital, or being silently nearby is so important. Expressing gratitude and appreciation to those who reach out to us is good for the giver and the receiver.
Counting our blessings may help to make our blessings count even more. Most of us are blessed with plenty of space to enjoy many physical possessions around us throughout the day. Are you a collector? We do need to be careful and not collect things we don’t need, but also recognize how lucky we are to have things around us that bring us joy. The Cubs hat or memorabilia from an event or trip is a reminder of a fun time. Those are indeed times for us to share our joys, our time, and our talents.
On November 3rd, there was a Busted Halo Daily Jolt. It was that “Gratitude is riches. A Complaint is poverty.” Those few words reminded me of how beautiful gratitude can be! We can be discontented and lament over so many things and find faults if we focus on that!
Stretching ourselves to help others!
We are so blessed to share opportunities. Looking for things with an open mind allows us to spread a little sunshine. A loss of a job may actually be a new opportunity for growth and meeting new friends. A car accident, although not good, makes us aware of the fact that no one was hurt. The availability of doctors when we are sick or having the money to get help is a blessing and something we must be thankful for receiving.
Our office extends opportunities to build relationships and bring clarity to you. Our women’s Entrepreneur group is opening enrollment for next year. Do contact us and enjoy the offerings, you’ll be glad you did.
Take the first step forward, it may put you on the escalator of success.