Grateful For You!

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.

It turns what we have into enough, and more.

It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity.

It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.

Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.”

Melody Beattie

Whether you celebrate Thanksgiving or not, my wishes for you remain the same. May you find peace within you. May you celebrate the love within and surrounding you. May you remember to be grateful for everything because you are here, present in our world, shining your beautiful light!

Have a lovely day today and may the angels shine down upon you with a flourish of blessings.

Shine On!

xo

Count Your Blessings

In my life, I’ve found that when I count my blessings, I feel more present. There’s something about being in a place of gratitude with a peaceful heart that helps me to rise above the fray of life’s troubles.

So this morning I awoke to count my blessings since it is Thanksgiving. I lit a favorite pumpkin spice candle in the kitchen to allow the scent to waft through our home and bring a cheery presence.

As I sipped my coffee in the early quiet morning hours, a rush of gratitude enveloped me. I am grateful to be here today. I am grateful for my children, my family and friends. I am grateful for this precious moment of tranquility.

This is the first major holiday without my parents. If I allowed myself to wallow in the sadness, it would be a shame, so I shed a few tears that needed to escape. Then I sat quietly thinking of them. It only feels hard to deal with emotionally if I allow that to be in my thoughts. If I feel grateful for the love my deceased parents and I shared, then there’s a different perspective. For I don’t believe they are gone from my life, but instead, very present in a spiritual way. For that, I’m grateful.

So on this Thanksgiving, I extend my heartlight to yours with gratitude for our friendship. I pray you have a lovely day filled with an abundance of gratitude for the blessings in your life. Hold your loved ones close in heart. Be kind and compassionate. Shine your heartlights for all to see. May a chorus of counting our blessings be felt across the world.

Shine On!

xo

Ode To November

November first flew past me without a Rabbit Rabbit post, but here’s a quick reminder in case you’re new or couldn’t remember why I say Rabbit Rabbit.  Did you miss me?  Because I’ve missed all of you and I hope you are doing well!

November is a busy month as we begin planning for the holidays.  It’s also a melancholy month as we remember those who have passed.  November first is All Saint’s Day and coincidentally the birthdate of my late Father.  November fourth marks the passing of my beloved Uncle as well.

Onward sparks the holiday of Thanksgiving where gratitude for who we have in our lives, both past and present, and for all the blessings that have been bestowed on us are appreciated.  Family meals and traditions continue through the rest of the year with much anticipation.  Are you beginning to think about the holiday season which is coming upon us with rapid speed?

We have a limited time here on this planet and we really never know how long we have, so we need to make the most of today, this precious present moment, for that’s all we can truly count on.  Embrace those loving souls in your life for whom you are grateful.  Take time to quiet your mind and listen to the inner wisdom that you already have.  Reach out to help others and be kind.  Find the gratitude for all you have in your life because those little things sometimes mean more that you’ll ever know.

I’m reminded of a Bible quote my Mom says,

“This is the day the Lord has made.  Let us rejoice and be glad.” 

To me, it sounds like the perfect plan for a blessed Sunday so I thought I’d pass it along to you too.  May your day be filled with precious moments of love, kindness, health and goodness.

Shine On!

xo

Thanksgiving Blessings

“Not what we say about our blessings,
but how we use them,
is the true measure
of our thanksgiving.”
~ W.T. Purkiser

On this Thanksgiving morning, let me reach out to wish you all a day filled with love, with blessings, with gratitude and with being surrounded by loved ones.  Be more patient today.  Be kinder today.  Be loving today.  Be grateful for all the goodness in your life – from the biggest to the smallest of blessings!

Happy Blessed Thanksgiving to all!

Shine On!

xo

 

Sludge Through Monday Morning?

I like Mondays as it’s the start of the new week and there’s much optimism in a new week’s adventures.  I know typically people feel like they are sludging through Monday mornings, but not me.  Maybe it’s just my personality, but to me, it’s a new beginning, like the start of school in September!

But this week can be particularly stressful since Thanksgiving is on Thursday.  All of the last minute preparations for the big feast can wear on those who are hosting the event for family.  Let’s face it, that all-encompassing dinner is a lot to prepare, even for the most seasoned cooks.  Sometimes the stress of being with family is hard too.  Lucky for me, I’m not hostessing this year, so I’m a bit more relaxed.  For those of you who are, well, I’m sending you lots of strength, patience and a delicious meal and well-behaved guests!

This week kicks off the holiday season with Thanksgiving, then Black Friday shopping and the Christmas season coming up.  I find it to be invigorating myself, but maybe I’m an anomaly.   How are you feeling?

I hope you have a lovely week and that today brings a skip in your step and not the dragging of feet.  Keep shining your heartlights and I’ll send you mine!

Shine On!

xo

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Gratitude for the gifts I did not see coming.

Gratitude for the connections made when I was broken.

Gratitude for this perfect moment in time.

Amen.

Shine On!

xo

Is It Too Early To Decorate For Christmas?

It’s four days before Thanksgiving and I’m contemplating taking down the pumpkins, the cornucopia and the orange tidbits that are scattered around my house.  I’m not hosting Thanksgiving this year so I don’t feel the need to keep the stuffed turkey doll that sings, ‘eat chicken’ displayed.  LOL

My usual custom has been to begin decorating for the holidays right after Thanksgiving.  It used to be that I was told to only decorate in a winter motif with no Santas out until December first, but this year, there are no restrictions.  And I’m feeling a bit of holly jolly in the crisp weather.

So I’m asking…what do you think?  What are your traditions?  Do you think I’m rushing the fa la la la la like the stores?  Or should I just go for it and do what I feel in my heart I want to do?

For me, the love and joy of Christmas is contagious.  It’s in the twinkle in the lights, the joyful greens and reds that make me smile.  It’s in the giving of traditional gifts and the giving of ourselves to others.  It’s in the joy in singing hymns which evoke memories of precious happy times and Christmas carols which bond us in peace.

I love the season and wish it could last all year long.  Perhaps that’s why decorating early has such an appeal.  I never tire of the sparkle and simple joys that the holidays bring.

Thanks for reading and for allowing me to process how I feel.  I’m off to gently put away Mr. Turkey and begin to shine my heartlight.  ‘Tis the season you know to shine!

Shine On!

xo

 

Reach Out and Show Your Gratitude

 

Holidays are coming upon us!  Are you feeling festive yet?  Have you seen the decorations at the stores reminding us that Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and Christmas seasons are on the horizon?  Have you put away all of your Halloween decorations and begun thinking about turkey, sweet potatoes, stuffing and pumpkin pie?  Are you making plans for the festivities?  Ready to share your bountiful gratitude with your family and friends?

I hope you answered a resounding YES!

And if you didn’t, then let’s begin today, for gratitude begins with you.  In the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it’s important to remind ourselves what the holidays are really about ~ sharing time, your presence with those whom you love ~ and reaching out those special family and friends who aren’t nearby.  What better way to do that, to remind someone of how much you appreciate them, than with a card?!  Imagine your friend or family smiling when they open a card from you amidst the bills and boring mail ~ what a lovely surprise to know you are thinking of them!

The card above is one of my favorites from the collection for Thanksgiving.  Who came to your mind when you saw this card?  Want to send it without leaving your computer?  It’s easy to do.  Click below and enjoy a card on me ~ it’s easy to point, click and upload your photos, add some special decorations and mail your card all from your computer!  Your recipient will get a paper card in the mail!

Click here to try it today!  Who’s waiting to hear from you?

Shine On!

xo

Receiving and Giving Gratitude in 10 Minutes

There is a calmness to a life lived in gratitude -a quiet joy.

-Ralph H. Blum

Thanksgiving is on its way and I want to share a little something I do that gives me great joy.  I have been taking a few minutes to send a card of gratitude to those precious people in my life for whom I am grateful.  Just a little note which says ‘I am thinking of you’ or ‘thank you for being you’ and sending it off with the touch of the SEND button.

I don’t leave my comfy home nor get out of my pjs to do it.  I simply log onto my computer, go to my site, pick a card or make one with my own photos or elements provided, write my message, click send and voila ~ I send real paper cards through the mail ~ I’ve even sent some delicious brownies and cookies among other fun finds.

The best part is that the cards cost me $.49 for a stamp which is normal and $0.62 for the card.  So for a total of $1.11, I am using my words to spread gratitude!  And yes, it’s that easy. ♥

I know I sound like a commercial, but truly, I adore what I do.  It makes me happy and it delivers happiness when I hear that a friend has received my unexpected card in the mail and is touched by the gesture.  Who doesn’t like to find a treasure in the pile of junk mail and bills?  To just know that someone is thinking of you is such a priceless gift.  I, myself, have been the recipient of many unexpected cards in my life and I can attest to the power of kindness and the amazing accuracy of a well-timed card in helping to raise spirits when you are feeling down.  And even when I wasn’t feeling down, just knowing that someone thought of me enough to write me a note and send it is priceless.

It simply raises up our loving vibrations  ~ for both the giver and the receiver!

In gratitude for your loving energy and support, please feel free to enjoy a card on me.  Just click here!

Shine On!

xo

Changes in Attitude

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

Do you feel it?  That palpable change in attitude ~ the exciting buzz that the holidays seem to ignite ~ the warmth and generosity of others that increases as the month goes on?  Now that Black Friday and Cyber Monday are over, there’s a lull which feels so necessary to me.  It’s a time to regroup, to figure out the gifts and recipients, to plan and to decorate, to bake and to bring that festive spirit into the lives of others.  As it says above, to me, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the YEAR!”

On the flip side though, the holidays can be difficult for some as well.  Lonely and alone are hard sentiments to have in your heart.  Those who have lost loved ones often feel the burden of missing those whom they love at the holidays ~ the sadness often overwhelms them at this time as they are surrounded by the living while missing the ones who have passed.  When you’ve been part of a couple and now you’re a single, it can be a difficult transition.  Although others try to keep you involved, ultimately, it’s your deciison of how involved you are in the festivities.

I learned this lesson the hard way when I tried to get my Mom to attend Thanksgiving this year.  She simply did not want to go.  I tried everything, guilt, cajoling, joking, being nice, being stern and demanding and she dug in her heels and refused.  She wanted to spend it alone at home and nothing I could say or do would change her mind.

So, I listened to her heart.  I honored her need to be at home and I modified Thanksgiving to include a small luncheon over the weekend with my Sissy and Mom.

It was hard letting go of what I believed was best for her.  I selfishly wanted memories for our family and for Mom herself.  I wanted photos of Thanksgiving turkey-filled bellies all together watching football.  Instead, we celebrated without her, but with her spirit and my Dad’s spirit in our hearts if not at our table.  I won’t say it was easy to know that she was choosing to not celebrate with us.  But I will say, that I learned to change my attitude and perhaps that was the best gift I could have given to my Mom and to myself.

The greatest discovery of all time is that a person can change his future by merely changing his attitude. -Oprah Winfrey

Instead of being hurt that she wasn’t with us, I relished a leisurely lunch with my Sissy and my Mom.  I enjoyed a meal without hubbub with Mom to enjoy all that she is without distraction.  I let go of what I thought “should be” and embraced what is ~ and it changed our relationship, my life and the holidays for us both.

So even though for me there’s a bit of melancholy in the air as it’s only the 2nd Christmas without my Dad and my Mom is not so keen on being around a lot of people at one time, I am also finding a bit of cheer in the festiveness in the air, the joy of playing jolly ol’ Saint Nick’s wife (ahem) and in finding the blessings and peace in the reason for the season.

What about you?  Do you feel those changes in attitude?  Or are you feeling a bit Scrooge-like at the moment?

Shine On!

xo