Monday, November 16, 2015

Gratitude




Gratitude - the quality or feeling of being grateful or thankful.  

This time of year reminds us to count our blessings, doesn't it? 

Though not a big word, gratitude's many facets can encompass and enrich our lives, 

while spilling over and encouraging others, too.

With that in mind, I found the following quotes inspiring:


"In ordinary life we hardly realize that we receive a great deal more than we give, 
and that it is only with gratitude that life becomes rich."

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

 
"The unthankful heart... discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep 
through the day and, as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find,
in every hour, some heavenly blessings!" 

Henry Ward Beecher


"Oh give thanks to the Lord for He is good! For His mercy endures forever."

Psalm 106:1 


What are you thankful for? 

I'm grateful for God, who sent His son Jesus, 

for family, friends, and abundant blessings big and small. 
 

Do you agree with these quotes? What are you grateful for?

To my U.S. friends, have a wonderful Thanksgiving! 

To all my blogging friends near and far, you are a blessing to me. 

May you be richly blessed.

I'm taking a Thanksgiving break - see you on November 30. :)

Happy writing,

Karen

29 comments :

  1. A thankful heart always finds the positive. And isn't that what we want to attract to us?

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  2. Hello Karen. Hope you have a delightful break. I do think gratitude is one of the keys to a happy life. There are so many things to be grateful for that it would take days to write them. But for purposes of this comment on your blog, I'm grateful, with all my heart, for my husband and adult children and their spouses, for blog peeps like yourself, for the ability to write on a daily basis, for freedom, for good health, for precious grandchildren, for cooking and baking, for daily coffee, for my dollhouse and for every opportunity to write. Happy Thanksgiving, too, Karen. Susan

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  3. Pretty colors in the photo. Have a nice break.

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  4. Hi Karen - gratitude is always good to have at the ready ... enjoy that break - a necessity too .. cheers Hilary

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  5. Diane,
    You are so right! And yes, why wouldn't we want to attract the positive! :)

    Susan,
    Thanks so much! We have much to be thankful for, don't we? :) Enjoy those grandchildren!

    Holly,
    Thank you. I took that photo out back behind our house a few weeks ago. :)

    Hilary,
    I agree with you! It is indeed a necessity too. :) Thanks so much!

    Happy writing,
    Karen

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  6. Everything!!!v Waking up each day to live again.

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  7. Break?? But amigo. Whatever will I do without you? And you know I'm thankful for Jesus. The Messiah of the world. And that Christopher did NOT have an aneurysm. Love those quotes and the Psalm. AND thankful for you. You are the best pal I could ever have. Still waiting on you to come visit your sister. XOXOXO

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  8. Alex,
    Thanks for chiming in! Me too - without Jesus, where would we be? :)

    Terri,
    Excellent point! The older I get, the more thankful I am for each new day. :)

    Robyn,
    Well, you know where I am if you need me, amigo! :) Much to be thankful for, for sure. Rejoicing with you all at your news. As for visiting my sister, will keep you posted, okay? xo

    Happy writing,
    Karen

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  9. Grateful for more things than I can count! :-) Have a blessed holiday with lovely memories and
    more joy than your heart can hold :-)

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  10. Count me among those with abundant blessings. Family, good health, good friends, a welcoming church - so much. Enjoy your break, Karen. Many of us will be doing the same. I'm cooking this year for 15. Happy Thanksgiving!

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  11. Jennifer,
    We are blessed beyond measure, aren't we? Thank you! May your holidays hold the same, as you enjoy time with family and friends. Thanks so much for coming by. :)

    Susan,
    Thanks so much! We have much to treasure and give, that's for sure. :) So glad you popped over to see me and the gang! :) Enjoyed my stop at your place, hearing about your trip to NYC!

    Happy writing,
    Karen

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  12. When I think of gratitude, I often think of my father-in-law who used to say, "I woke up today. That makes it a good day." :) Happy Thanksgiving!

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  13. Hi Karen! I've had some health challenges lately, but I'm coming out of them now, and I am super-grateful. I feel like I've come to a point in my life where health is not a 'given' anymore. It fills me with gratitude that I am well, and have such a supportive family.
    God is good! Happy Thanksgiving to you, may God continue to pour His creative grace on you,
    Ceil

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  14. Lisa,
    Sounds like your father in law was a smart man! That is a good way to look at things! :)

    Ceil,
    A supportive family is a wonderful thing,I agree! Glad you are doing well! Thanks so much.

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  15. Hi Karen. I am thankful for so many things right now (thanks for the reminder about being grateful, I tend to overlook it many times). Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

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  16. Yay for gratitude! I think it's the key to happiness. Today I'm grateful for baby smiles and getting a full night of sleep. It's the small things really, right?

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  17. Rachna,
    Thank you! I too, need a reminder sometimes to be grateful. It really does help brighten your day, doesn't it?

    Crystal,
    Yay is right! I bet those baby smiles make your day. That sweet little one is a cutie! And a night's sleep is priceless!

    Happy writing,
    Karen

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  18. Wonderful quotes. When I'm feeling down, I think about what I'm grateful for. We sometimes take for granted all the positive things in our lives.

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  19. Definitely important to stop and remember to be grateful for all that we have. We so often forget to appreciate what we have. Awesome quotes. Wishing you a very Happy Thanksgiving and a wonderful break. :)
    ~Jess

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  20. I am most thankful for my health and family and friends near and far, virtual and in person. Happy Thanksgiving to you, Karen.

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  21. I love that first quote. We receive much more than we give. I will be thinking on that today. Happy Thanksgiving!

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  22. Medeia,
    You said it, we do take much for granted. We have much to be thankful for.:)

    Jess,
    I agree. So many things we can be grateful for! Thanks so much! :)

    Linda,
    So glad we are virtual friends! :) Thanks so much, hope your holiday is wonderful!

    Lynn,
    It really does offer a different perspective, doesn't it? Something good to ponder. Thanks a bunch!

    Happy Thanksgiving,
    Karen

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  23. Such a good reminder for me. I have been feeling little low for couple of days thinking of my unfortunate past.
    But now, I think I want to take a chance to be thankful to people who supported me and cared for me during my unfortunate times.

    A lovely post as always!

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  24. I love the Bonhoeffer quote. :) I'm grateful that I still have my Mom and savor every moment with her.

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  25. Yeesi,
    It's good to see you. Counting our blessings, no matter how small they seem, can be a wonderful thing and offer such a boost. Glad you have great and supportive friends! :)

    Susan,
    I do too.He was a wise man.:) You are blessed indeed to have your mom around! :)

    Happy writing,
    Karen

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  26. Beautiful written, Karen. I am feeling extremely grateful this week. More so than ever. Not exactly sure why, but I think you've nailed it. Happy Thanksgiving.

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  27. I love the Henry Ward Beecher quote! I am thankful for thousands of blessings--mostly my relationship with God through Jesus, my husband, kids and grand kids, and my friends. You I'm very thankful for!

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  28. Joylene,
    Thanks so much! We have a lot to be grateful for, don't we? :) Hope you have a great week!

    Jen,
    I know, me too. :) There are so many things we can be grateful for! :) And I am thankful for you too, my friend.

    Happy writing,
    Karen

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Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. Have a blessed day!