The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts; therefore guard accordingly. Marcus Aurelius

So many of us get into the habit of greeting the world with a running commentary of the lack in our lives that we forget to take stock of what we have, and get sucked into believing that we are unhappy due to the circumstances in our lives. We are so eager to believe that the world controls our lives that we simply forget to look to our contributions to our own unhappy circumstances.

Strive today to improve the quality of your thoughts that you may learn to experience joy in your life - regardless of the circumstances around you. As you improve your thoughts and begin to focus on the positive in your life, circumstances begin to change.

When difficulties arise - and they sometimes will - lift yourself above them by training your thoughts to focus on the the blessings in your life.

Today, I am grateful for lazy Saturday mornings, for French vanilla creamer in my coffee, and for clean blank pages on which to write. I am thankful for computers that make my life easier, for typewriters who set the stage, and for pen and paper that still tempts writers when inspiration comes.

I am grateful for the morning sun that I know lurks behind the clouds, for clean white snow that lingers on the ground, and for evergreens that transform into wreaths.

I am grateful for time as it stretches before me, for the wisdom to use it well, and for quiet moments that nourish the soul.

I am grateful for winter storms that will envelop my world in a quiet beauty, for rolling hills, and towering trees who withstand the passage of time.

I am grateful for family that I hold dear, for friends who lighten the load, and for strangers who share a willing smile. 

And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. Strive to improve the quality of your thoughts today, that you may experience happiness and joy as you go forward in the direction of your dreams. 

 

 

“It's not the towering sail, but the unseen wind that moves the ship”

“It's not the towering sail, but the unseen wind that moves the ship”

photo by nazka2002


Too often in life we devote our time and energy into creating the most elaborate and powerful sails assuming that when we say, "I'm ready" the universe will respond and we will sail onward to reach our goals. We overlook that without the wind beneath our sails, we go nowhere.

Consider for a moment the source of the wind in your life. Many refer to the wind as God, who gives power and direction to their lives, while others prefer to call it the power of the Universe--but one thing remains the same, without the wind, your ship will never set sail.

Get in touch with your wind today as you prepare for the adventure set before you. 

Today, I am grateful for a warm home that provides a harbor to the storm, for family that binds my life together and for friends who make me smile.

I am grateful for air to breathe, for food to eat and coffee. I am grateful for warm dry socks, cozy blankets and soft pillows.

And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May your sails be strong and your wind be mighty as you sail forward to reach your goals.

We awaken in others the same attitude of mind we hold toward them. ~Elbert Hubbard

Photo by kakisky



It's easy to believe that our attitude would be different, that our lives would be more enjoyable or that we would be better able to reach our goals if those around us would simply get with the program and change their attitudes towards life.

If you are like most people, you have probably experienced days when everything runs smoothly, everyone you meet is in a happy and uplifting mood and life simply flows. You've probably also experienced days when everything goes wrong and those around you are in sour or depressed moods.

You might even be guilty of saying that the moods of others are getting you down.

Consider that your attitude, your mood, your approach toward the day may actually be the attitude that starts it all.  Guard your attitudes and outlook carefully today. Consider not how others effect you. Consider how you effect them.

Today, I am grateful for the beginning of a new week, for the energy and commitment to meet my goals. I am grateful for gray skies that remind me that winter will come, for changing seasons that add beauty to our world and for frozen puddles that crackle and pop with my step.


I am grateful for time to complete daily tasks, for cozy evenings to read good books and for the infinite expanse of the Internet filled with wonderful uplifting stories of those who overcome all odds to meet their goals. I am grateful for the ability to filter what I feed my mind, the insight to seek out that which is uplifting and the wisdom to make the right choices.


Am grateful for the people in my life that I call family. For friends who offer support and all the  lives that my words touch today. 

And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May you guard your attitude well, today and make a positive difference in the world.

Those who wish to sing, always find a song.  ~Swedish Proverb




photo by napfalevel



Consider your song, today. People recognize it by the quality of your voice, the message you choose to send and the words you choose to use. Even though the quote refers to expressing joy and gratitude in song, many choose to sing the mournful song of loss and lack. 

Guard your song carefully, today. Make it one that brings joy, uplifting both yourself and others, today. 

Today, I am grateful for light that illuminates the world, for air that fills my lungs with breath, and for soil beneath my feet. I am grateful for leisurely hours to contemplate this awe-inspiring world, for clouds that swim swiftly across blue sky, and leaves that have not yet turned to red and gold.

I am grateful for my backyard that allows me to sit amidst nature, a clothesline for freshly washed clothes, and garden beds that nourish my plants. I am grateful for plumbing, electricity and telephones that bring convenience to my life.

I am grateful for smiling children, laughing adults and animals that add color to the world. I am grateful for bees that buzz, crickets that sing, and daisies dancing in the breeze. I am grateful for the promise of a new day.


I am grateful for family that brings meaning to my life, for friends that listen to my song, and neighbors who share my world.


And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May you find your song and sing it joyfully throughout the day.
 

If you are lucky enough to find a way of life you love, you have to find the courage to live it.
John Irving






Photo by jdurham

Consider luck today and the role it plays in your life. Some are offended by the term, mistakenly assuming that when they are called lucky the person is implying they have not worked for what they have. By digging a bit deeper, we discover that the term "luck" or "lucky" can mean good fortune that comes by chance, but according to Merriam-Webster it also means "fortunate". Merriam-Webster defines fortunate as: bringing some good thing not foreseen as certain.

With that definition in mind, we are all lucky as we work hard to reach our goals and make things come to pass that "are not foreseen as certain."   The innate skills we are born with, the time and place of our birth, the family we grow up with and the world around us are brought to us by luck. We did not choose them and have no control over them.


If we are "lucky" they have given us a positive start in life and defined our "loves". Finding the courage to live that love is up to us.  I believe the first step in that journey is finding the strength to step outside ourselves and see the "luck" that has been bestowed on us and expressing our gratitude.


Today, I am grateful that the earth has cooled providing brief relief from the driving sun. I am grateful for a morning breeze to rejuvenate the soul. 


I am grateful for the cricket's song that sings out in the midst of smothering heat, reminding me that life continues on.


I am grateful that God has given me the skills and ability to pursue a dream. I am grateful for being born and raised in small rural town where everyone literally "knows your name"  and for parents who taught me the importance of confidence, the value of work, and how to treat others. I am grateful for siblings that taught me courage, like only siblings can. 


I am grateful for my mother's skills in "making do" with what you have. It taught me to appreciate my life.


I am grateful for the courage to take a chance, to step out onto untouched land, and to pursue my dreams.


And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May you be lucky enough to find a way in life that you love and may you find the courage to live it.

 

"I can't change the direction of the wind,
but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination."
Jimmy Dean 
  
photo by kconnors

Consider the direction you wish to go today, and set your sails to take you there. So often, we convince ourselves that obstacles lay in the path and prevent us from going forward. It is up to us to find the way around those obstacles and press forward in the direction we want to go. 

Your belief in the power of positive thinking and gratitude is not a guarantee that the path will be clear and the road will be swift. But it does give you the tools to clear the obstacles and steer your life in the direction you want to go.

Too often, we begin to think that everything should fall in place without effort and find ourselves falling victim to old beliefs, old habits old ways of thinking.

Set your sails today and go forward in the direction of your dreams.

Today, I am grateful for the knowledge that I can reach my dreams, that I have the power to set my sails and that I can direct my path. I am grateful for the strength and conviction to move forward with confidence, for the courage to stick to my dreams and for those who help me along the way.

I am grateful for family and friends who fill me with hope and bring me joy. I am grateful  for those I have yet to meet for they have knowledge to share. I am grateful for teenagers as they challenge the beliefs of those who have gone before them. 

And, I am grateful for you, dear reader as you stop to share my day. May your sails be set to take you to your destination and may obstacles fall to the side.