Through Tragedy and Difficult Times We Triumph

Want to stay up to date on new posts? You can subscribe to my RSS feed here or you can get Email Updates here. Thanks for stopping by The Gratitude Collections Blog!

Some of the best things in life come to us because of difficult times – don’t fear hardship but embrace it & good things will come.

-Michele Deville

I have been thinking so much lately about many people in my circle of life who are going through difficult times.  It’s made me have an even greater appreciation for my life and my own circumstances.

It’s made me develop a level of respect for their character and the way that they work through their challenges.  They make me grow and inspire me in ways they probably don’t even know.

As I have been thinking and praying for these people, I have also realized that so much goes on outside my “bubble of life” on a regular basis, as I’m sure you can relate.

People have cancer, they are losing their jobs, they are leaving their families to serve our wonderful country and on and on.  Choices, sacrifices, and struggle occur daily and all around us whether we realize it’s happening or not.

Enlarge your vision beyond what you know – so much is going on around you that can help you grow, learn, and inspire…just listen for it.

Be True to Yourself

Find the courage to hold on to your beliefs, even if the world around you chooses to believe differently.  Have the courage to change those beliefs that no longer fit the person you have become.  In doing so, you truly become yourself. -Daniel Levin

Today this inspiration resonated with me.  I wear a small cuff bracelet on my right wrist (right next to my Gratitude Bracelet) that my sister, who is my best friend, gave me.  It’s a small subtle piece that has the words, “Be True to Yourself” stamped on it.  I’ve spent the past several years really learning who I am through all the good and bad.

I’ve had growing pains, which sometimes really hurt (can you relate?) and major joys.  Through it all, I’ve grow into the person I am today – confident and true with a depth of character and tenacity. I’m full of heart and love to feel the energy of others which is why I choose to surround myself with those who share my desire to live my life with an abundance of positive energy.

Where are you at in your life?

We are all on a different journey.  I seen to have chosen the road less traveled over the past several years, but know that I am leading and leaving my footprints on the ground for those to follow me.

Be well today and be true to yourself.

Things Don’t Change, We Do!

Simplifying Your Life

When you are stressed out and you can’t seem to find a moment of peace for yourself, you probably need to simplify your life. We often take on much more than we are capable of doing (or at least I do anyway – can you relate?) I am a multi-tasker and the “go-to” gal to get things done, but you know what?  Sometimes I need to take it down a notch and just say no…and guess what?  It’s okay to do that sometimes! I find that when I do that, my stress levels come down and it makes my life much more manageable and enjoyable.

Many times we think everything is of equal importance in our lives, but there are some great ways to evaluate what really matters so we can gain a new perspective on life.

6 Simple Ways to Simplify Your Life

1.    Determine what is important. Make a list of all activities you have going on in your life right now.  I often recommend that you keep a log of your life for a week.  Track what you do personally and professionally.  Don’t make this another thing to do and keep track of, but simply get yourself a little notebook that you can throw in your bag or purse and jot quick notes.

I made this suggestion at a seminar once and a lovely lady shared with us that she did this once for herself and also for her husband.  When she presented him with her findings, she actually got him to start helping her with the laundry when he saw how much she did!

What does your list look like? Determine your top four or five areas and put your energy into those on a day-to-day basis (i.e., family, relationships, spirituality, work or whatever that looks like for you).

Once you do this exercise, it’s a whole lot easier to see where you’re spending most of your time (and where you should be spending more time).  It’s helps to cut out a lot of the unnecessary “clutter” in our daily lives.

2.    Reconsider your commitments. Many times we simply over-commit ourselves.  You should look at the “extras” in your life and see how they align with the things that are most important to you.  If there are things that you are committed to doing that you don’t enjoy or don’t add meaning to your life, consider giving them up.  You can reduce stress and make your life more relaxed when you release yourself from commitments that are only tying you down.

3.    Say no. Okay, so this one may make you a little uncomfortable, right? I think learning to say no is like “developing a muscle,”  it’s certainly not something that happens overnight.  I know it has become a learned behavior for me over time and experience and I’m okay with it.  Saying no to kids, family, friends, and even the boss is important.  I know it can be tough to say no, but you can say it with grace or by delegating the request to another capable person – share the wealth, right?! If you’re finding it difficult to stay firm, remember that you are not superman or superwoman. You can’t possibly take on the world by yourself!

4.    Simplify your work. Every day when you’re at work (or at home) you likely have a 10-page to-do list. In reality, there are things that just aren’t all that important and aren’t worth the effort.  There will always be some things that you’ll never get around to, but that’s okay! Accept that fact and re-evaluate your activities to determine what is really essential and do away with the rest.  Imagine how freed you’ll feel?

5.    Involve the family. There is as much to do at home as there is at work.  Make your family your team and involve them in the home activities.  Get everyone involved in the little tasks around the home such as taking out the trash, dusting, and doing the dishes.  For example, you can require that each family member pick up their own things around the house before bed.  This way, “tidying up” is a lot easier and not just left to one person. You can then spend more of your time relaxing instead of worrying about every little task around the home.

6.    Clear the clutter. Clutter can be quite a beast, right? Well, I’m sure that in your home and/or office there are probably a lot of things that are cluttering your space.  Everything must have its place – even if it’s in the trash!  When you clear the clutter from your space, you’ll find that cleaning, finding things and simply going about your daily life is a lot simpler and a whole lot less stressful.

As you can see, simplifying your life does not have to be difficult.  You just need to get back to basics and do away with everything else.  Living a simple life is living a happier, less stressed life and that’s something that we can all aspire to do.

**************************************************
Did you enjoy this article?  We’d love for you to share the Gratitude Circle with your friends!  We are always looking for new subscribers to our blog and our wonderful newsletter.  Spread the word!

Top 10 Inspirational Sayings

We all have those moments when we need inspiration to gain confidence and build momentum.  That’s why inspirational sayings are so popular!

When you live a life without inspiration, it can be a life without any real joy or passion.  In those moments where you need a little pick me up or a reminder of the many great things you have in your life, you can turn to the power of inspirational words. You need to have a collection of inspirational sayings in your toolkit that resonate with you so you can get more done and still feel great!

There are a lot of great motivational sayings out there that we can turn to when we are feeling down, but we should be using them all the time, rain or shine!  Strive to incorporate inspirational sayings into your every day life, using them to inspire you to reach higher and push harder so you can achieve all of the things you have set out to do and more.

Some wonderful inspirational sayings include:

1. There is a beautiful light at the end of my tunnel.
2. I take small steps in life and value my time.
3. In order to share happiness with others, I must also be happy.
4. As I let go of dissatisfaction, I feel happiness in my life.
5. My life is full of purpose, exciting change, and many recognized deeds.
6. No matter the challenge, I will see it through.
7. I am becoming more focused and confident every day.
8. I welcome positive energy and I use that feeling to accomplish more.
9. My life is already full of success.
10. I keep only two mental snapshots of myself: where I am and where I want to be in life.

These are all very simple inspirational sayings that work to affirm positive thoughts and attitudes in your mind.  Affirmations are simply positive statements that remind you of your goals and positive uniqueness so you can boost your self-confidence.

Accomplish More with the Power of Inspirational Thinking

Inspirational sayings and affirmations can help us move forward in life and accomplish greater things than we could have ever imagined.  After all, we can’t deny the power of a can-do attitude. If more of us incorporate inspiration into our lives, we would all be happier and more successful people.  When you incorporate positive sayings into your life, you’ll find that you’ll respond on a subconscious level and you’ll no longer need to look very far for inspiration!

If you’re down or lacking confidence, you can use inspirational sayings to find the courage to move forward and force out any negative thoughts that may be cycling through your mind.  When you say these statements with gusto, you are re-affirming positive thoughts in your mind, making them a part of who you are.  Remember to use these sayings at any and every occasion to give you the inspiration you need to get through any challenge, both big and small.

Tips for Better Life

The Holidays, Simplicity, and Giving Thanks

I am honored and proud to introduce this week’s guest blogger.  She is my cousin, Chelle, and I am just thrilled and moved by her inspiring blog post where she reflects on the holiday season.  Enjoy and feel free to share your comments.

**********************************************

I sat by the window during my usual train ride home for the holidays. I passed the same lakes, parking lots, restaurants and hardware stores that I always have for the past five years, but there was something different about passing them this time around. Rarely do I have this quiet time to reflect on things, but during my two and half hours on the Amtrak Regional to New Haven, I let myself think about what this holiday means to me.

Thanksgiving to me has always been about eating delicious food, watching football games and spending time with friends and family that I rarely get to see throughout the school year. As I was growing up, my siblings and I would stay in our pajamas all morning, watch the parade and prepare for the feast that was upon us. I remember helping my mom in the kitchen while she prepared all the food and starving myself for the entire morning just so I could down as much food as possible. My grandmother would come over right before our meal and sit at our kitchen counter. We would talk about how pretty her jewelry was or how long my hair had grown. My dad would sit by the fire and read his medical journals while the cats ran around the house, excited by all of the activity.

Looking back, these seemed such simple things, but they were the happiest moments of my childhood. Now, as all of us get older and experience the daily stresses of life, we forget how something so simple could be so fulfilling. Holidays become focused on finding the best bargains, traveling constantly or having extra time to get ahead on our work. Sometimes it is easy to forget that keeping it simple and spending a day with the family can be all the rejuvenation we need to collect ourselves. Sharing a laugh with your brother or getting a big hug from your mom always beats a red-tag sale at Target or an overwhelming pile of papers to correct.

Once I really started to think about Thanksgiving, I realized that you cannot find the meaning of the holiday on a sale rack or in a gift box. As my mom would say, the only place you can really find it is in your heart—in your heart, and in the company of those you love. And once you stop looking for the meaning, you will see it is there right in front of you. So enjoy it. Be grateful. Give thanks for what you have and how lucky you are to have it. It really is as simple as that.

This holiday season, I encourage you to give thanks. Turn off your Blackberry, sign out of your Facebook, and even put all of your work back into your briefcase for a while. Lounge on the couch with your family. Laugh with your friends. Call someone you have not spoken to in a while and catch up. Eat way too much. Jump up and down when your favorite football team scores a touchdown. Bask in the glory of your beloved cup of coffee and take the dog outside for a run. Just say thank you. And once you do, I am sure you will feel the reward of how a simple “thank you” can make everything else in your daily life seem a little more manageable.

Happy Holidays

Monday Morning Gratitude

I often speak about how important it is to teach Gratitude to our children. In this fast-paced consumer driven world, it’s so easy for these simple principles to get lost. You’ve seen me write before about things that I do with my daughter. She’s constantly learning and we are continually re-inforcing. There is so much stimulus these days–much more than I was ever exposed to–that we have to be consistent.

I got this great little article from a Phillipino newspaper this morning in my in box. It’s a very simple article about teaching Gratitude to your kids. Read on and enjoy…

Teach Gratitude to Your Kids
By Trinidad Cayading

DO YOU ever feel like your children continually want and expect more stuff? Perhaps they don’t respect or take care of the things they already have.

How do we teach our children to be humble and grateful for what they have? It can be difficult sometimes to convince our children how blessed they really are. One way we can help teach gratitude to our children is by showing gratitude ourselves.

Do you ever find yourself complaining about not having enough or are you continually mindful and grateful for what you do have? Children really notice the way we as parents talk about such things.

One way you can show (and teach) gratitude is by remembering to say “thank you” for the little things to family members and others. Another way to show gratitude is through prayer.

By praying out loud, your children can hear you expressing thanks for your blessings. Be sure to thank God for the blessing of your wonderful children — and be sure to state each of their names!

Many years ago I heard the phrase: “Have An Attitude of Gratitude!” It stuck with me every since. If we have an “attitude of gratitude,” then chances are our children will too. It made up a little game to keep us amused and grateful for our blessings.

As we trudged up this steep slippery hill in the dead of winter to attend our classes, we would say something like (in an exaggerated voice of course) “Boy, I am sure grateful to be getting this wonderful education — aren’t you?” Then whoever responded would have to think of something positive back, and so on. Then one of us would respond, “Yeah and we are so lucky that we get to walk up this big hill every morning — look at all of the free exercise we are getting!” “Yeah, good thing we don’t have a car — I mean then we would have to drive around in circles looking for a parking place.” “Yeah, we sure are lucky aren’t we!” It was a silly little game but it kept us smiling and cheerful, and it was entertaining to see who could come up with the best responses.

We can play similar “games” with our children. I recently heard a story about someone who used her creativity to display a positive attitude when things went wrong.

For example, if someone cut her off in traffic, instead of becoming angry she would try and come up with the most outlandish story possible about why that driver was driving so fast. She would say something like, “Wow, maybe his wife is about to have a baby any second and they have to hurry and get to the hospital before she delivers in the car…” Then her child might take over and come up with a completely different story about why that driver cut them off. Pretty soon they would all be laughing at each other’s stories and forget all about the car that cut them off.

Sometimes it is our kids that teach us these valuable lessons of gratitude. The other day I drove my kids to school as I do every morning and my 10-year-old daughter said, “Thanks mom for driving me to school today!” It was a little thing but it made me feel good!

Then when I started clearing the table after dinner she said: “Thanks for helping us in the kitchen mom!” “WOW — does she want something,” I wondered?

Then today I received a hand-written note that said “Thank you mom for not letting me quit piano…” Was this really my daughter — the one who complains each and every day about having to practice a measly 30 minutes? Gratitude… maybe there is hope after all…!

In gratitude,
Deanna

P.S. Just remember my saying, “Gratitude is an attitude and attitude is everything.”

Monday Morning Gratitude

Grateful for Warm Weather (kind of!?)

Ok, so I’m a summer gal–I love the water and dream of my house on the shore (of course with my hubby’s boat tied right to the dock), but how did we go from chilly 50’s to off the charts 100 degree days? Too quick even for me!

My town had our first “Oxford Day” event on Saturday. I had a booth and it was great to get out and support the community and see so many people that I know and don’t get to see on a regular basis…but boy was I hot! I have never torn down early, but I did on Saturday.

My father-in-law took my daughter to the beach yesterday and then they were back at the pool for a day of swimming–this meant a day for Greg and I to spend together. We’ve had a crazy year and it was great to have a day to ourselves. We took a ride to the shore and spent the whole day in the area where we rent our summer cottage. We were just so excited looking forward to the summer ahead and grateful for all the days we’ll have at the beach.

My girlfriend put in a request on Saturday for a Gratitude tank top–it was so hot–who could look at a hoodie!? I guess that’s the next one I need to do!

Stay cool and hydrate! Have a fabulous day.

In gratitude,
Deanna