Monday Morning Gratitude

Welcome back!

It’s Monday, a day I always look forward to because I get to work from home on my business which I love!

It’s a big month as we start the official holiday season next week.  It seems that everyone tends to feel extra grateful this time of year, which is fabulous!

You may have seen this cross your social media path lately:

“Let’s see how many people can do this. Everyday this month, until Thanksgiving, think of one thing that you are thankful for and post it as your status. “Today I am thankful for….” The longer you do it, the harder it gets! Now if you think you can do it then repost this message as your status to invite others to take the challenge, then post what YOU are thankful for today.”

This is a really fun exercise and I think it’s really cool when I log on and see so much gratitude being shared.  Even finding one simple thing daily to be grateful for, can make such a difference.  It doesn’t have to be big – start small with one thing daily.  Write it in a journal, put it on a post it note, post it on Twitter, Facebook or your social media of choice.  It becomes a virtual ripple of gratitude – which is very powerful!

Today I am grateful for another beautiful walk to start my Monday morning and am energized with the opportunities that lie ahead this week!

How about you?  Post a comment with your gratitude declaration and help be the ripple!

Monday Morning Gratitude

Good Morning!

I am refreshed and renewed from a lovely vacation of travel and down time. We had the pleasure of spending a few days in Maine, one of the few places we instantly relax. I was sure to enjoy my fill of lobster and good wine. I hope you had a wonderful and celebratory July 4th.

I am obviously grateful this morning for a week of rest! We are constantly on the go. I must admit that I do thrive off of it, however some days seem to zip by and sometimes I wonder where my time goes and how it moves so fast. I wanted to share this quote as it spoke to me today:

“What’s the big hurry? You’re not ever going to get it done, so what are you racing toward? Every single activity that you’re involved in is for one purpose only, and that is to give you a moment of joy. Lighten up. Laugh more. Appreciate more. All is well.”

-Abraham-Hicks

Start your week off right, what are you grateful for?

In gratitude,
Deanna

Guidance

I received an e-mail from a friend this morning with this lovely message that really caught my eye, I’d like to share it with you today:

Dancing With God

When I meditated on the word Guidance,
I kept seeing ‘dance’ at the end of the word.
I remember reading that doing God’s will is a lot like dancing.
When two people try to lead, nothing feels right..
The movement doesn’t flow with the music,
and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky.
When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead,
both bodies begin to flow with the music.
One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back
or by pressing Lightly in one direction or another.
It’s as if two become one body, moving beautifully.
The dance takes surrender, willingness,
and attentiveness from one person
and gentle guidance and skill from the other.
My eyes drew back to the word Guidance.
When I saw ‘G’: I thought of God, followed by ‘u’ and ‘i’.
‘God, ‘u’ and ‘i’ dance.’
God, you, and I dance.
As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust
that I would get guidance about my life.
Once again, I became willing to let God lead.
My prayer for you today is that God’s blessings
and mercies are upon you on this day and every day.
May you abide in God, as God abides in you.
Dance together with God, trusting God to lead
and to guide you through each season of your life.
This prayer is powerful and there is nothing attached.
If God has done anything for you in your life,
please share this message with someone else.
There is no cost but a lot of rewards;
so let’s continue to pray for one another.
And I Hope You Dance!

I know we all have different spiritual beliefs and affiliations, but I thought this was very interesting and quite thoughtful.

May you have a fabulous weekend and to all the dad’s, have a wonderful Father’s Day!

In gratitude,
Deanna

Tuesday Morning Gratitude

**Due to yesterday’s cable outage, I wasn’t able to post this yesterday.

Well, this week’s Monday Morning Gratitude, is Tuesday Morning’s Gratitude since I gave myself the day off yesterday!

I hope everyone had a fabulous weekend.

I am incredibly grateful for the glorious weekend we had and the unbelievable weather. We deserve it, don’t you think?

We had my sister’s annual Memorial Day Picnic/Parade on Sunday which was a great day with family and friends. It’s such a wonderfully pure holiday for us, just good food, laughter, friends and family. No stress of the holiday or out of control gift giving.

I am also grateful to have spent some much needed family time with my husband and daughter. We’ve been keeping such crazy schedules lately it was really nice to have some down time.

Faith marched in her first parade yesterday for karate. I was really proud! I also had the pleasure of seeing my neighbors’ girls in our new high school’s band, middle school band, and brownies.

I also am so grateful to our veteran’s. My dad being a Marine Corp veteran–I am very proud. These men and women have such a tough job protecting our country, but they do so with dignity and honor. I extend my deepest gratitude to these unique breed of people!

May you have a fabulous week!

In gratitude,
Deanna

You are Responsible

I’ve been trying to be very mindful each morning on how to start my day. I take a few quiet moments to myself with my cup of coffee to be mindful of how I’d like my day to be.

As I was at my desk, I popped open my Wayne Dyer “Inner Peace Cards” and how appropriate, this is the one staring right at me:

“I am responsible for the day I create for myself. The choice is up to you. It can either be “Good morning, God!” or “Good God–morning!”

Each day as I get Faith off to school I ask her what kind of day she is going to have. She usually (now trained) responds with a booming, “GREAT!” Some days she says in a kind of ho hum way, “Good” and I say “Just good?” She responds “No mommy, GREAT!!” I am then excited for her and feel that she has her best foot forward walking into school.

Have a wonderful holiday weekend. Take the time to relax and enjoy.

In gratitude and peace,
Deanna

P.S. Thought you might enjoy a picture of me and my sister, my best friend, at her annual Memorial Day picnic. I can’t wait until tomorrow!

Honoring My Gratitude

I know this may sound repetitive for what I’ve already written about this week, but I have to say I’m seeing a pattern this week.

I am having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my friends in my life.

Honestly, right now without them, life would be hard. We’re there for each other through thick and thin–like sisters in another life. All going through similiar feelings with different circumstances. It’s been the high point of my week to see that I have this to rely on. We’re all at slightly different stages, with different life experiences…together making a powerful team of women.

My girls, I honor you, I love you, and my life is better knowing you. I hope when you are reading this man or woman, that you have someone like this in your life. Someone to enrich your life, lift you when your down, cry with you and cheer with you.

The comfortable and comforting people are those who look upon the bright side of life; gathering its roses and sunshine and making the most that happens seem the best.
- Dorothy Dix

In respect and gratefulness,
Deanna