Daily Gratitude

 Daily Gratitude: Think about this one. I know I’m guilty of making “decisions” (you know – those “decisions” which are really judgments in disguise) without having all the facts. I was walking into the hospital one day and I was behind a young man with baggy shorts and a tshirt. As I was “deciding” (in my high and mighty way) about him (I don’t even know why it was important that I do that since we’d never meet) I got closer. As I gazed up at him, I noticed a scar running up and down his neck. I began to feel for him since it was obvious he’d had some sort of surgery on his neck (spine). My opinion of him changed immediately and I was filled with respect, for I would not want to endure that. Ask yourself why you need to make judgments next time you find yourself making snap ones. Do you have all the info or could you find out more?

I am grateful for all the great things I have experienced in the decades I’ve been on earth!

Daily Gratitude

 Daily Gratitude: 22 years ago we faced one of the greatest trials ever. Some among us weren’t even alive yet. Some of us lost a great part of ourselves that day. Even if we weren’t personally impacted by the loss of a loved one, we were definitely impacted by a loss. So many types of loss. How had this affected you? You are different than you were back on the 10th of September 2001. We all are. Another tragedy of that day was the fear it instilled in us. So much of what we have done since then has been because of fear. Many of our reactions in life are due to fear. It’s important to remember all that happened on 9/11 but let’s try to remember and think on the things that changed and perhaps have actually made our lives better. Change is always difficult but in the long run there can be good things come of it. I know it sounds bad to say we should look at the good that came out of that day. But since it was 23 years ago we can still be appropriately reverent while trying to change our view of that day. We are in control of our perspective all these years later so maybe we can take a minute to see how we and things have changed for the better. That is respectful and loving. Don’t let all those lives be lost in vain.

I am grateful for the experience of 9/11 and the even greater love for people it instilled in me.

Daily Gratitude

 Daily Gratitude: I like this variation on the usual “when one door closes another one opens.” Sometimes it’s a window but this one takes it a step further. Everything is out there for us to have but it’s not just going to flow freely into our lives all the time. Sometimes it will but often we have to make the effort — at least some effort— before the flow begins. It’s like lava flowing down a mountain. It’s been sitting there for a long time but doesn’t start it’s downward journey until the volcano erupts. I wrote yesterday about how all the emotion I’d suppressed erupted like a volcano when i got Shingles (a skin eruption of a virus that’s been inside a long time). Turn the door knob — look for an event you want to go to; a new type of book you want to read; a different skill you want to learn; a meet up group, etc. Once you turn that doorknob (take action), watch out because that door will swing wide open for you to see another path.

I am grateful that so many people have gotten their books already. I hope “From Tipping Point to Turning Point” will be a doorknob for many.