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Why is it as humans we wait for excruciatingly painful
events in our lives before we truly appreciate what and who
we have in our lives? Could it be we need such events to
wake us up and
reclaim our lives from our
typical, numb, unconscious state? This time of year reminds
us to give thanks, but how would your life be different
expressing gratitude on a daily basis?
I witnessed an event earlier this month I’d prefer none of
us ever experience - as the bystander or as the person
directly involved. I was home and I heard a loud
unidentifiable noise that caused me to peer out my front
window. To my confusion I saw nothing. Returning to the task
at hand, several minutes later I was again startled by an
intense sound. This time I wondered if something had smacked
against my house. I darted for the back door with awareness
of a fleeting thought that there could be potential danger
and offered a quick “guide me” request to the Universe.
As I exited the back door I was stunned with the view of the
neighbor’s house behind me engulfed with flames. I yelled,
as if I could be heard, “Are you okay?” Next door, another
neighbor informed me 911 had been called.
There I stood, for what seemed like an eternity, waiting the
arrival of the fire department. Tears came to my eyes and my
gut churned. Watching and listening to crackles, pops,
things falling, and the utter destruction of someone’s home
I felt helpless. During this time all I could do was pray. I
prayed for love and light, for everyone’s safety, for
immediate arrival of the firefighters, and a quick expulsion
of the inferno.
Finally, the fire was out. I breathed a sigh of relief. The
good news – all were safe! For the firefighters and
bystanders the horror is over. Though I haven’t spoken with
the owners, I’m certain they’re grateful for their lives.
Will that gratitude however be sufficient to sustain them
for the challenges they now face?
The holidays can be tough for many people and for a variety
of reasons. Let me be clear here as my intent is to
empower you, not to
dishearten you. I’m simply inviting you to look at life from
the view of a mountain top instead of through the eye of a
needle.
We take so much for granted as we narrow our focus on
what/who we don’t have in our life instead of the blessings
that surround us.
For example, the mere fact that you’re reading this article
says you have eyesight to see; you can read – no not
everyone can; you have a computer and know how to use it or
know someone who does.
Recognizing these gifts may seem trivial compared to current
challenges you’re facing, pause for a moment and imagine
your life without your eyesight or without your ability to
read.
Did you just read through the last paragraph or did you
actually picture what your life would be like? If you really
envisioned a different life you probably felt gratitude as
you realized how beneficial your eyesight and your ability
to read are to you.
You may not have your life exactly as you’d like, you may
not have everyone with you that you wish were, but what do
you have? Who is in your life?
Why wait for those excruciatingly painful events to feel and
express gratitude on a continual basis? How can you raise
your awareness all year long to practice appreciation
regularly and avoid the mundane zombie state? Could daily
immense gratitude change how you experience your everyday
life? And how, as a result, might you handle life’s curve
balls or undesired events differently?
May you experience gratitude for your blessings at this time
and throughout the year – Happy Thanksgiving!
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So much has been given to me, I have no time to ponder what
has been denied.
Helen Keller
Gratitude is riches. Complaining is poverty. Instead of
complaining about what’s wrong, be grateful for what’s
right.
Zachary Fisher
As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that
the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live
by them.
John Fitzgerald
Kennedy
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Please feel free to share
this information with friends and colleagues. Karen
KMG Enterprises, LLC
P.O. Box 26927
Phoenix, AZ 85068
Phone: (602)
870-3652
Fax: (602) 870-3653
Website:
www.KarenGridley.com
Email:
Karen@KarenGridley.com
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