30 Days of Gratitude

Text my Journey

It's Monday

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While each day is a new beginning - I find that Monday's is the day that I look forward to each week to truly start over again.  I want to do something different that will make this week better than last week.

This is the chance to start the week off...now where is my coffee?

Make your own Sunshine

Many years ago I had the pleasure of being in the audience of a motivational speaker whose premise was "Make your own Sunshine"

I loved listening to her speak about how important it was to find joy each and every day.  She spoke about how each day she on her daily walk that she would look for pennies.  She called them blessings from the Heavens.  How special is that?

I have noticed that over the years that if I have a more positive attitude - the more positive things seem to happen in my life.  I am opening myself up for blessings....I am making my own sunshine even on a cloudy day!

Happy Birthday to my Mom in Heaven

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Dear Mom:

Although you are not here to hear my wishes of "Happy Birthday" It has been 6 years since I last heard your southern drawl - telling me that you loved me. 

I know that you are watching over me from high above.  I know that you are now at peace and no longer in pain and for that I am so incredibly thankful - even though I am in tears here as I type those words!

I hope you and Dad are having a wonderful time - reuniting eternally!

Happy Birthday Mom - from you loving daughter!  Just know that you are missed each and every day.  I love you!

Saturday's Thought of the Day

Friday's Inspiration

Forgiveness

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Forgiving someone that has hurt me is the most difficult thing for me to do.  I realize that this is something in my heart that I must fix or I will never be able to truly move on from that hurt.

I have a long standing issue with my brother and things that took place before and after my mother died.  You see - my brother is my only sibling and I have not seen him since the day that we buried our mother in 2009.  My mother took such great pride in having her business in order...she told all of her friends that she had her will in place and that they would be silly not to ensure that they had their will in place too.  My brother lived close to my mother (a couple of blocks away)and with me living in Texas he was the one that she turned to when she had a doctor's appointment or needed to go the grocery store.  She was also the one that she turned to when she needed to locate an attorney to do her will.  The will was completed but my brother never filed her will so my mother died without a will.  My mother had also set me up as an additional signature on her checking account.  Obviously there was a reason why I was on her account and not my brother.  One hour after my mother died, my brother took one of her checks, forged her name and cleaned out her checking account. 

That is an awful long time to hold this hurt inside me and I for one need to let it go. This is very difficult to write and I know that part of the forgiveness process is to absorb both my role and my brother's role in this parting of ways.

I realize that the forgiving process is going to take much effort on my part and some serious soul searching.  I know that this journey will only a one way journey as my brother is really not in any position to recognize that he has his own work to do (major addiction issues on his part was a huge reason for actions during my mother's illness and subsequent passing) but that is okay...I am not taking this journey to forgiveness for anyone other than myself!

I look forward to losing the heavy weight of carrying this hurt and anger for so many years.

Today - I take the 1st of many steps that I will need to take even if only baby steps!

To my brother - I want to forgive you for disappearing not only after the funeral but also the day after our Mom's funeral...for not allowing us to come together as a family to mourn together.  I only hope that you forgive me for not understanding that you needed to mourn by yourself.  Mom would be so disappointed in both of us to know that we have come to this point in our lives.

I do love you and want my brother back!

Wordless Wednesday - Think Positive Thoughts

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Thoughts for a Tuesday

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Hello All!

Tuesday's travel will soon so in the meantime - please enjoy the Daily Inspirations posted.  May you find something that fills your soul with these quotes.

Also - there will be a giveaway coming soon.  Stay tuned and follow this blog so you do not miss the news about what you might win!

Being Grateful

Sunday's Inspiration

Saturday's Inspiration - Appreciation

Telling someone thank you or that they are appreciated are such small things but mean so much to the recipient.

Today - I will make it a point to let at least one person (hopefully more) know that I appreciate them!

Friday's Lesson on Gratitude

The importance of Writing your goals

I am a firm believer in writing down my goals.  The problem is that I don't seem to find time to really do justice to my goals.  *laughing*  I will write "generic" goals - such as visit one place that I have never been to before but (and this is where I am not doing myself any favors here) my goals are not what could be considered functional goals.  In other words, they are not really specific enough.  

Let's take my goal of wanting to visit some place that I have never been before.  When do I want to complete this goal?  Where do I want to go?  How am I going to get there?  These types of questions make a very generic goal into a SMART goal...specific (where do I want to visit), measurable (what is my timeframe for this goal) attainable (this is a very realistic goal), relevant and timely.

So - my lesson of the day is to do a much better job of writing down my goals including daily, weekly and monthly as well as making my goals are realistic and I know the steps that I need to take to achieve my goal.

More importantly, I need to make sure that I do not beat myself up if I do not accomplish a daily goal - what I will do is just move it to the top of the list for the next day!

Wordless Wednesday

Life Lesson of the Day

Sunday's Inspiration

 Today I will strive to be thankful for the bounty of the day!

Saturday's Thought to live by

The Elevator of Life

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It's your life!

Wordless Wednesday

Monday's Inspiration - Be Thankful

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Sunday's Inspiration

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Saturday's Gratitude

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Take Time to Make Memories

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When was the last time you made a memory?

Thursday's Inspiration

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Wordless Wednesday

Monday's Inspiration - Make today Awesome

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If you think that it will be a good day - you are half way there to making it a good day!

 

Sunday's Reflections and Inspiration

 
(Photo Credit: Joseph Haubert)

 

It has been an odd week this week here in Dallas....a week of celebration (July 4th) and week of sadness as five brave men gave their lives to protect the lives of others.

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My heart is heavy today as I write this blog.  Tears continue to roll down my face with each word that I type.  There are many other families that are crying now and asking why their sons, husbands, fathers, and brothers will not be around for the next family birthday, the next celebration of life or another day to see the sunrise.  To all that have lost a family member, remember you are not alone in your grief and your tears.  Today we remember a newlywed, a man who was a father to a 2 year old...a daughter that will only know her father through others. 

I will admit - I have been crying from my city for two days now.  I now wonder if I will ever feel safe in this beautiful place known as Dallas-Fort Worth.

 

Today we awaken to the sun rising again and we are thankful for those that have made it their life to protect us!  I can only hope that the five who gave their lives to protect us did not do so in vain.  I only hope that this senseless killing of these men help in some way to mend our city and help us become closer and not so fragmented.  We are not perfect by any means but let's make our city a more loving place!

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Allow Gratitude into your day

“Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.” —” 

― William Arthur Ward

Gratitude - Why it is so important to be grateful

During this journey of life I have discovered one important thing about myself.  The more grateful that I am - the more blessings I seem to have in my life!  

I have a favorite saying that was at one time my tagline in my professional email - "Your attitude determines your altitude".  I believe this with my whole heart.

I like to end each day with a verbal list of things that I am grateful for that happened in my life that day.  No matter how difficult my day may have been - remember the one or two things that made the day better helps me realize that I have much to be grateful for and not so much to be frustrated at.

I have decided that it is time to do a gratitude jar that can be a visual confirmation of my many things to be grateful for.  I am going to write down at least one thing each day that happened during that day that made me smile.  I will date it, write it down and place it in my jar. Then on New Year's Day - I will take these little pieces of paper out and review my year!  Isn't that a great way to start a New Year?

I just need to find the perfect container for my thoughts.  I could probably find something here at home that I can use but I think that I want something special!  The one shown below is LARGE and can hold a lot of pieces of paper.  I would place this by my bed and each night before falling asleep jot down one or more gratitude moments of the day!

I found this one on Etsy and it is only $15! 

Source - A Wonderful Journey - Etsy Store

Gratitude Jar

I also like this Gratitude Jar because it comes with the cutest little pieces of coordinated paper that you can use for your daily notes!   It is a bit more expensive at $25 but it is so cute!!!  Don't you think?

 Source - Ayannaandco - Etsy Store

Gratitude Jar #2

If you haven't tried the act of finding something each day to be grateful for...I encourage you to do so.  It will change your whole attitude.  Maybe not today or tomorrow but it will grow on you!

Wordless Wednesday

Source- Judy Belmont - Emotional Wellness for Positive Living

http://pinterest.com/judybelmont/

Travel Tuesday - Fort Worth, - I love ya - Part 2

Welcome to part 2 of Fort Worth - I love ya  If you missed part 1 - never fear....you can read it here:

Fort Worth - I love you - Part 1

As noted in part 1 - Fort Worth if oozing with history, art, great restaurants and so many activities that you just can not everything in a short weekend.  You need to plan what you want to see, what you just have to do and where you want to eat.

Today - I wanted to share with you some of the wonderful museums in Fort Worth,  You could spend days visiting these great museums.

First - let's take a look at Fort Worth Museum of Science and History.  AMAZING!!!  One thing that I really appreciate about this museum is the awesome Children's Museum.  This is a great place for the kids to learn and have fun at the same time!

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Another favorite of mine is the Kimbell.  The Kimbell  is well known for its international exhibts and has been a well known Fort Worth establishment since  1930. Prepare yourself to be wowed and enthralled with the various exhibits.  

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What would Fort Worth be without some type of a Western Museum?  Well...let's take a look at one very special museum.  When you think of the Wild West - many of us think about Cowboys...but did you know that there is a special museum in Ft. Worth that honors the history of the Cowgirl?  Yes indeed - The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame.  THIS should be a must on anyone's list to visit in Ft Worth.

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A visit to Fort Worth should also include a visit to the Amon Carter Museum of American Art.  It has been written that the museum's permanent collection includes paintings and photography of leading artists in the U.S. and North America.  The majority of the artwork falls within the period of 1820 - through 1940s.  This is a very special museum that will take you on a journey through yesteryear!

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There are so many wonderful ways to spend time in Fort Worth and these are just a few of the abundance of museums and artwork that one can find in Fort Worth.

Now - the next Fort Worth blog will take you in a completely different journey.  Think bike trails, segway tours, a world renown zoo and even a drive-in.

Until next time!

Happy 4th of July

Happy 4th of July everyone!

 

 

People here in the U.S.  celebrate the 4th in many ways.  Since most folks have the day off the celebration can include barbeques,  boating,  baseball games and the opportunity to get together with family and friends.  The the night  usually will end with a wonderful firework display.

 

More often than not - we tend to forget the real reason why we celebrate this day - America's Independence day - America's birthday!

 

So with that in mind - HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!

Sunday's Inspiration - Getting ready to leave your comfort zone

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Several years ago I was given a job opportunity that I was really not prepared to do.  I was told that I would be given on the job training and not to worry about a thing!  Famous last words!  I was given a few days of training and then thrown into to the job by myself.  It was highly technical and very scary!

There were days when I just wanted to cry and throw my hands up...saying "I can't do this".  One day I woke up and while dreading to go to work - I made a decision.  I decided that I was not going to let this job get the best of me...that I was a survivor and that I could do this job.  I was on a mission front that point on.

It was that day that I left my comfort zone and realized that I could do this!

To this day - that moment in my life is that "light bulb" moment where I realized that I could venture outside my comfort zone and still be okay!  That moment was that pivotal point in my life that made me strive to reach for more of those moments where I could find personal growth and become more comfortable in taking a chance on myself

Saturday's Inspiration - How to change your life

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Creating your Life

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Thoughts on a Thursday

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Wordless Wednesday

Travel Tuesday - Waterfalls

Today's travel blog  is all about some of the beautiful waterfalls in North America.

There is something so magnificent about waterfalls...peace and serenity abound when viewing these incredible and powerful creations.

Please sit back and just enjoy!

Wapama Falls - Yosemite

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 Shannon Falls - British Columbia

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 Yosemite Falls - California

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     Bridal Veil Falls - Yosemite, CA

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 Snow Creek Falls

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Monte Sano State Park - Huntsville, AL

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Snogualmie Falls - Washington State

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Saint Mary and Virginia Falls Trail - Glacier National Park

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As you can see - I have posted several pictures from Yosemite.  I LOVE Yosemite - this National Park should be on everyone's bucket list!  I have only the space to capture just a small number of waterfalls here but there are just too many to list here. 

Wouldn't it be great to take a trip to see waterfalls across North America?