Monday, November 10, 2014

Gratitude Check








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

Psalm 107:1


"Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it." 

William Arthur Ward




Gratitude Check

Is gratitude a part of your daily life? I am thankful for many things, but I don't 
always see things through positive or grateful eyes. Maybe you can relate.

For instance, do you ever:

  • View the day's accomplishments through what did not get done?
  • View your worth and progress according to your weaknesses only?

If you do, perhaps you'd like to join me in a gratitude exercise by: 

  •  Counting our blessings.
  • Treasuring moments spent with loved ones.
  • Celebrating things accomplished, no matter how small.
  • Celebrating strengths while recognizing and working on flaws. 
  • Viewing life as a journey, where one small step forward is better than none at all.

What do you think? Can a gratitude check help us express thankfulness 
more freely, touching and inspiring others, as Mr. Ward suggests? 



Fun Giveaway News  


The Emblazon authors are celebrating "A whole year of creating lifelong readers" 
by giving away a Kindle preloaded with 50 awesome books for tweens! 

Who are the Emblazon authors? They are a group of talented and dedicated 
writers who are "Writing stories on the hearts of children." 

Enter the giveaway HERE.





I Love to Write Day

  Did you know that November 15 is 


It is indeed, so feel free to celebrate as you like!

Check out the history of I Love to Write Day here.



So what do you think? Do you agree with Mr. Ward? 

What are you grateful for? 

I'm taking a break until Monday, December 1. 

Happy Thanksgiving to all my US friends! 

See you soon! :)


Happy writing,
 
Karen




 Photo credit - Stock Exchange

37 comments :

  1. So important to remember to be grateful. Have a great break!

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  2. I tend to think in terms of what I didn't get done.

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  3. Natalie,
    It really is. Helps so much with a good perspective on life. Thanks a bunch! :)

    Diane,
    Me too! Working on changing that and looking ahead with thankfulness. :)

    Happy writing,
    Karen

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  4. In all things, give thanks.
    Enjoy your break!

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  5. "I designed you to be thankful on a daily, moment by moment basis." Sarah Young, 40 days with Jesus. I have a friend who texts me daily three things he is grateful for and three things he loves about himself. And expects that back from me of course! It is a good way to stay in gratitude and also connect with others.

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  6. Hi Karen! I would say that you are grateful for a blog break! I am going to the east coast on Wednesday to visit my sister for a long weekend. I am really looking forward to that. I want to open that present for sure :)
    I think being intentionally grateful brings us the grace of holiness. If I am thankful, it means I know I didn't do anything on my own. It has to be God!
    Enjoy your time away, and Happy Thanksgiving too,
    Ceil

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  7. A huge learning lesson for me these past years. I orginally moaned what I lost but then started to see the little blessings God gives me daily. That helps to count them when feeling ungrateful.

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  8. Since I learned to be grateful, life is so much better. Electricity, shelter, and food are not to be overlooked. :)

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  9. One evening, I drove into the church parking lot of our former church. I said aloud that I had wasted another day. Then, I heard a voice tell me,"You were right where I needed you to be today." I have learned to be grateful for all things, no matter how small.

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  10. Alex,
    Yes and amen. Thank you! :)

    Lynn,
    That sounds like a great way to remember to be thankful always. A thankful heart just does better overall, don't you think? :)

    Ceil,
    Thank you! Yes, I am thankful for a break. Needing some down time and some project time. :) Have fun on your weekend!

    Terri,
    It's interesting how the Lord brings us through and teaches us things, isn't it? I'm always learning something, and remembering to be thankful.

    M Pax,
    Yes, I agree! Even the smallest things, or seemingly so, are things to be grateful for. When you add up everything we have, it really is a lot. :)

    Cecelia,
    I know what you mean. Have found myself thinking in similar ways sometimes. Our steps are indeed ordered. :)

    Happy writing,
    Karen

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  11. Hope you have a great blog break! Happy Thanksgiving!

    What a wonderful post! We all do have so much to be thankful for each day and we can all be a little happier if we focus on the things we have that are positive in our lives- big or small. :)
    ~Jess

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  12. Thank you for the reminder, Karen. :) At this moment I think I'm mostly just thankful I'm still up and going!
    But we do need reminders that we have SO MUCH to be thankful for.
    ....and then there is chocolate. ;)
    Emily Ann Benedict

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  13. Hi Karen - it's so necessary to smile and be appreciative and count our blessings - sometimes we just don't realise. Great thought here .. or as you describe "gratitude check" ... enjoy and have a peaceful fortnight - and happy Thanksgiving - Hilary

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  14. Karen, life is easier if we live with gratitude as an attitude. I am thankful for spending time with my grandchildren this week, and for one more day of beautiful weather before winter whistles in for an extended stay.

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  15. Jess,
    Thank you! Yes, I agree, things are better with a positive outlook! :) We are blessed.

    Emily,
    You are welcome! It is something I need to remind myself of every day. :) And yes, chocolate is something to be very thankful for!

    Hilary,
    Yes, smiling, laughing - these are all good things that help keep our attitude in check, I'm thinking. We have much to be grateful for. I am thankful for good friends (like you) I've met through blogging. :)

    Linda,
    Grandchildren really are a blessing, aren't they? :) Hope you have a wonderful time with them! Hope too, that you get to see your great grandson soon.

    Happy writing,
    Karen

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  16. Great post, amigo. We all need to make this a daily practice. Your reminder has made me feel guilty. I will immediately remedy that. I am so grateful for the Savior. Without Him I'd be knee deep in sin and trouble. I am so thankful for my family and our animals and farm. I am thankful for you, amigo. Love you to pieces! I hope your Thanksgiving is filled with blessings and family. <3 you. I am going to take a break, too. I've been blogging a lot lately. I love the Emblazon folks. Especially Lynn Kelley. What a wonderful soul, she is. Beautiful inside and out, just like you.

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  17. Gratitude checks are wonderful. This is a perfect post for this time, and it definitely takes daily practice and reminders from friends to keep the attitude of gratitude alive and growing :)

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  18. Robyn,
    Thank you! :) We have much to be thankful for, don't we? Love you back, sweet friend! So thankful for you and all my wonderful friends here!

    Tyrean,
    I know, they are! I need to do it more often, like several times a day. It really helps. :) Cheering you on in the gratitude journey!

    Happy writing,
    Karen

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  19. Happy Thanksgiving! You're right, it's important to be happy with what got done and forgive what didn't. And celebrate what got accomplished.

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  20. I hope you enjoy your break! I have a hunch you'll have lots of treasures stored up in your mother heart that you'll give thanks for many times over, long after the holidays are gone.

    Happy Thanksgiving!

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  21. Gratitude=a happy life. I've been working on that whole "look at how much I accomplished!" vs looking at the list and thinking, "I'm so behind."

    I hope you have an awesome break and come back totally renewed.

    Unleashing the Dreamworld

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  22. Holly,
    Thank you! Forgive is a good word in this case. We can be terribly hard on ourselves, can't we? :) Celebrating even the little things is a good habit to get into.

    Rhonda,
    I am hoping to get a lot done on the break. Many things crowd the to-do list, and will be celebrating each little thing that gets done! :) Yes, this mom is very thankful for many things, as I am sure you are too!

    Crystal,
    I like your equation. You are so right! Looking through the positive side is better! Thanks so much, and am hoping you get a break after your tour! I am sure you could use one. :)

    Happy writing,
    Karen

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    1. LOL! Yup. Sometimes you just have to take a break though, right? So I will. In December. =)

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    2. Crystal,
      Yes, sometimes a break is a much needed thing! Enjoy yours in December!
      Happy Thanksgiving,
      Karen

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  23. Counting my blessings, Karen. Just got back online after a few days. Sad how much it bothered me. Grateful for the time spent not online.

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  24. Being thankful really adds happiness to life and helps us keep everything in perspective. Have a good break, my dear KY friend :)

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  25. I love this time of year. I have a lot to be thankful for. Enjoy your break.

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  26. I love your encouragement to count blessings instead of keeping a list of the day's failures. It's so easy to live in the losses than in the plenty. Thanks for your encouragement, Karen. :)

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  27. Yes, I do agree with Mr. Ward. We have so much to be thankful for, especially in the USA! When you have so many clothes squashed in the closet they get wrinkled, that's rich!

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  28. Joylene,
    We have much to be thankful for, don't we? I know what you mean about being offline. Hope you are enjoying your trip! :)

    Keith,
    It really does help keep a good perspective, doesn't it? Speaking of KY friends, what are you thinking about this snow? Not sure if I am ready for it yet! :)

    Medeia,
    I too, enjoy this time of year. Much to be thankful for! Thanks so much. :)

    Dotti,
    It is too easy to live in the losses (like the way you put that!). So being grateful, a conscious effort, is a wonderful exercise. Blessings to you! :) xo

    Jen,
    We do, for sure. As for the closet wrinkles, yes, that might be considered excess, depending on the size of your closet! :)

    Happy writing,
    Karen

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  29. Happy Thanksgiving, Karen! Yes, I do feel that gratitude is important. I started keeping a gratitude journal a while back, though I don't write things down as often as I should. I still think them, though, so I hope that counts!

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  30. Well, I missed I Love to Write Day again! It was all for a good cause though - a family wedding. :)

    Great thoughts on gratitude. I've gotten a bit sloppy of late in that department. It's time to get back on track. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, Karen!

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  31. Lisa,
    Thank you! That's a good idea, a gratitude journal. I should consider starting one. :) I think thinking them still counts!

    Susan,
    Well, as a writer I guess you could say most any day is I Love to Write Day, right? I've been a bit sloppy too in the thankful department. Aiming to change that as we speak. Thank you!

    Happy writing,
    Karen

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  32. I believe God transforms our mind by being grateful for what he has blessed us with presently. It is not always easy as I often feel there is so something missing but must remember He is always faithful.

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  33. Hi Karen! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours! May God bless your table with his peace and grace.
    Blessings,
    Ceil

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  34. Hope you had a blessed Thanksgiving Karen. I have so much to be grateful for...every day...and especially this year. We have three new additions to the family: Twins at the beginning of the year here in Chile and a little bundle of joy at the end of the year to my son and D-i-l in Canada.

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  35. Lynn,
    I think you are right! He is always working in us, isn't he? I confess to be a work in progress! :)

    Ceil,
    Thank you! Hope you had a wonderful celebration with those you love. :)

    Joy,
    How exciting - twins! You have big and small blessings, what a treat! Blessings to you all!

    Happy weekend,
    Karen

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