Attitude is Everything!

Mr. Horton and I were enjoying a popular tourist’s venue.  We paid a lot of money for each other’s ticket.The outdoor theater setting was a perfection of light and temperature. There were no disappointments for either of us. the performances were well done, the costumes brilliantly colored and uniquely creative.

For we two avid people watchers there were bonuses to observe all around us. At the generous break time, we waited in line for our sandwiches and drinks.  Sprinkled about were tables and shades and lawn benches.

A man sat with his head bowed onto the back of his hands.  His fingers, shoulders, and every part of him sagged, deeply to the ground.  A woman of unknown relationship leaned toward him and asked. “Do you want me to call the pilot and have the plane readied?  Side to side he shook his head, a frown consumed his mouth, his eyes, and his forehead. Seeing his motion, she hurriedly said. “We could go to Denver or San Francisco. Anywhere really.”

“No. There is nothing there, anywhere really. No.”

We took in their wardrobe of wealth. The woman’s expression was clearly one of loving compassion. Their skins glowed with vigor and health and a clarity in their eyes that could only be from physical health. Diamonds sparkled at her wrist and neck.

Yet he answered genuinely, and heartfelt from his perspective. “No. There is nothing there, anywhere really. No.”

Gratitude for many, many things

Liberty comes to mind. A freedom that embraces and encompasses anything and everything a person might choose in the course of a day’s life.

Then when the next day arrives that same liberty allows us to go a different way, in a different style if we so choose.

Infinite are our choices and options, and the style in which we choose. As an example; we can decide to hope in a positive direction instead of dread in a negative way.

True, there are people and their situations that have limitations on physical liberty. However, the liberty of self, up close, and very personal self-choices, attitudes, goals, and aspirations are keen and powerful in presence.

We each and everyone have the liberty to go another way, choose differently. We can reach for things beneficial as we put away things harmful.

The very process of considering things for which to be grateful, or thankful, or appreciative is LIBERATING!

There is much to do………

For sure my schedule this ‘workweek’ is a bit busy, with only four days to fit everything into, instead of the usual five.

Annnnd doing it all with not nearly enough sleep. In explanation, some of our neighbors began their fireworks exploding early, and the gurgling laughter of children sounded into the wee hours this morning.(that was joyful to hear) Then a thunderstorm took over the sound effects.

All that said is not to complain. It is as it is.

And I am so very grateful, humbled and awed with the many blessings that are my life.

I have a bed, a home, food, clean water, rain enough but not too much. I live with infinitely vast liberty and freedoms. My country is one where people rush to disasters to help, to lift up, to encourage.

The more I am grateful the more that seems to come to me to be grateful for.

I think about that and that too is something for which to be grateful. The liberty to think my thoughts, voice them, write them. Or be silent.

Gardening Days

Early, with the sun’s lighting dark places, I begin my stroll through the garden areas. I’m looking for projects for the morning: extra water for some plants, dead debris removal, areas needing soil replacement, and re-seeding in a few places.

Joyful, joyful, joyful is this experience. Sweat may be pouring out of me, soaking my hair, stinging my eyes, the water hose may kink and stop, a bumble bee may make me move out of its way. However all of those may be, Joy remains.

The future claims its place. A seed’s outer garments will be no more. Instead there will be color and other species coming to enjoy the loveliness.

Several large pots filled with soil lined along a south fence are the bulk of my garden. The visiting creatures seem not to notice an absence of tilled soil along the ground like some gardens. They work anyway, taking in the pollen, doing what ever, what all they do, for whatever their purpose may be.

This year has shown many Butterflies, Bees, Damselflies and Hummingbirds.

Joyful, joyful, joyful is the purpose and the experiences are my gardening days.

Gratitude for Dentists

As I strolled past one of those big pictures of George Washington, I paused to look, really look at the printed image of our nation’s  first president.

For the first time I noticed the pained  expression on his face. Clearly I could see that his mouth was held as if his teeth hurt.

Wooden teeth were a part of his life, and I wonder at the bacteria and germs that came with them. There are many historical  references to him that mention the pain and the problems he had with his teeth.

Comparing those times with our own, I am grateful for so many improvements.  Personally speaking, the ‘painless’ dental repairs and replacements must be gifts from the Lord.

This morning I left my Partial with the dentist for a fit issue on a new crown.  No big deal really, it will be back in a couple of days. I miss the beauty it adds to my smile and my meals.

However.  I am so vey grateful to be in these times with such improved, clean and comfortable dental helps..

Opportunities, Options and Re considerations……

These are really some things to be grateful for.

To take the liberty to review the different options and opportunities that are before me are exciting and awe inspiring. And Oh Yeah! Much to be grateful for.

Then there is the luxury of a second thought. The re-considerations, the back-up and go at it a slightly different way.

Most of us are grown ups in a grown up world. It is acceptable and quite common for people reconsider a thing and accept it , or reject it. We have choices. Things change and other opportunities open before us.

Be grateful.

A Cool Place, or, A Place to Cool

The heat is upon us! Add in humidity, maybe a bit of exertion and a person can be zapped of all energy quickly.

A place to get cool is a blessing, maybe a life saver, for sure a health saver.

Maybe air conditioning is not available. The shade of a tall and foliage heavy tree can do wonders to freshen and invigorate a human being . Turn on a box fan while spritzing a spray bottle of water, maybe lemon water. Whoooie Fresh!

Some of our communities are offering cooling stations: designated places with air conditioning and fresh water, and the opportunity for people to come in and cool down.

Along some ‘Walkers’ Through fares I’ve noticed some residents pay Kindness Forward with large insulated water jugs, the kind with a button-spout, and inexpensive paper cups at the ready for people who are parched and walking.

There is so much for which to be grateful: Liberty and the freedom to pursue happiness, kindnesses of strangers, gorgeous summer skies, birdsongs so happy and gay.

A Place for us, somewhere………

There is a place for us, somewhere.  No matter the dilemma any one of us face, if we are persistent and open in our search, we will find a place for our special needs.

Support groups are in abundance for educating and improving the lives of people in diverse areas of need.  If a group is not to be found, these times are receptive, encouraging and supportive of one being created!

Be grateful for: The open doors. The helping hands.  The ideas that inspire. The hopes that are met and achieved.  The venues that are available. The solutions are as near as one’s ‘problem’.

Shift perspective. An attitude of Gratitude will open whatever One needs.

The Grateful Space

There is a Grateful Space that awaits within the realm of imminent despair and chaos and destitution.

Thoughts and words so simple can, and do, and have turned those, to hope, and calm peace, and prosperity.

Consider even the time, the date of ‘whatever’. The truth is: so many improvements and opportunities and possibilities await us now, in this year of 2015 than were available in, lets say 1915.

Enjoy a game of Getting Happy. List every little and big thing for which there is to be grateful.

Think about the steady floor beneath one’s feet. Marred and worn Linoleum might be better than dirt.

Another perspective from a Dearheart who has no flesh feet: Prosthetics are better than none, and Prosthetic ankles and feet feel no pain.

A NEW YEAR

With every moment, a now. With every Now, new, blank, open to receive our direction.

To be Thankful in all is to take every moment captive to the Positive Realm of Appreciation.

To Look for the Positives is to find the positives.

To Look for the Negatives is to find the negatives.

To say, “Nothing good ever happens to me.” is to assure that nothing good ever happens.

To say, “I am grateful for all the blessings that chase me down and overtake me, and fill my arms and hands and thoughts and heart.” is to assure that happening.

Be Grateful. Be Thankful. Be Appreciative.