Archive for the tag 'counting blessings'

Giving thanks…

January 2nd, 2015

There is much spoken of today about the power of gratitude to transform our lives.

Roses+StonesIt is difficult, in times of conflict, grief or loneliness to remember things for which we are thankful, or to appreciate that one good thing in the bad.  Sometimes, in the words of American philosopher Eric Hoffer “The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings”.

“Simple Abundance” author Sarah Ban Breathnach suggests writing a “gratitude journal” each day, to get into the habit of appreciation rather than complaint, of fullness rather than lack … to adopt what is now coined as the “attitude of gratitude”.  It’s not only a reflection on the past… it can actually re-shape your future, as you journey in the direction of your thoughts.

Here are some quotes to inspire you to count your many blessings in this, the season of reflection and new beginnings.

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity…. It turns problems into gifts, failures into success, the unexpected into perfect timing, and mistakes into important events. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.
– Melody Beattie

At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.
– Dr. Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965)

If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, “thank you,” that would suffice.
– Johannes Eckhart  (1260-1328)

I am thankful for the opportunity to do good work which can de-stress, enrich and transform the lives of good people who have found themselves in bad situations… and the for stellar community of peers with whom I work.

A happy & fulfilling 2015 to you all.

Mardi