Giving is Receiving

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving.  I have written several posts on gratitude and my heart continues to swell with thanks for family, friends and all those who have lifted me up with love this past year, especially the last eight months since my husband, Jerry, died. 

It has amazed me how, by helping others, it comes right back full circle.  Being hunting season I knew it was time to pass Jerry's hunting clothes and winter coats on to a better home.  A friend who had grown kids took it all, only to outfit many people.  This included not only her kids but the homeless. 

Yes, I may "see" Jerry around town if I run into those who are getting good use out of warm clothes. It is amazing to be so grateful that someone was able to use and share belongings that I no longer have need for!!!

Just imagine if each of us cleared out stuff and shared it with the less fortunate!  Giving is one thing but as we give, we receive such a sense of satisfaction because of how it lifted them up! There is so much each of us could give:  clothes, money, food, time/attention, the list is endless.  Our imagination is our oyster!

So, a blessed Thanksgiving to each of you and your family.  May you be blessed and may you continue to bless others with the gift you become to each and every life you meet!  

Courtesy of Pixabay

 

One Person

Ever wonder what to be grateful for? Each and every one of YOU! Most days I don't think much about it but then all of a sudden, after I see a slew of names that read my post, along with comments, I suddenly realize that perhaps even being only one person that indeed I am doing some good. Today, YOU are that one person.

Sometimes we measure ourselves with yardsticks that we fail to live up to, by-passing all the other measurements that others see us by. Often it's the "doing" tasks that trip us up that we might think we have not done good enough. Then I think of my aunt who couldn't walk, navigate on her own and sometimes even talk. 

When asked how she kept going through it all she said, "I just try to be kind, smile and be gracious...they are working so hard." Oh my! No fancy job nor position, no following of friends on Facebook, no computer nor cellphone; was a patient in an infirmary and needed complete care. Kindness was her legacy! 

How many of us don't give ourselves enough credit for the "little things." What strengths, gifts and inner resources do each of us have that could be our legacy...something immaterial, something from our insides, our spirit, our heart of love? Ponder that a while.

We are only one person but how profound that can be!! I am so very grateful for the person you are to me, like air beneath my wings! And thank you to all who read my posts, comment and share them...it means there might be a legacy in things I am writing for you!   

Courtesy of Pixabay

 

Cling Tight

 Yes, everyone knows what month this is, with Thanksgiving coming next week. Reality hits that winter is really coming. Watching it snow right now affirms that, for sure.  Leaves still cling tight to the maple tree like many of us want to cling tight to thoughts of warm weather!

We are all a bit like those leaves, aren't we?  Needing to put on warmer clothes and putting away light, summer wear, it saddens my heart to have to change the wardrobe. Hang on all we want but cuddle duds sure come in handy!

Dreams have a way of bringing those long dead into a picture that make it seem they are right here with us...we hate waking up which shakes us back into reality. Hanging on to such pleasant thoughts eventually thins as the day wears on. 

It's a balance, hanging on, letting go, staying the same or changing.  I wouldn't even realize that the maple tree still had leaves on it unless I was sitting here "pondering".  How often do each of us take some time to ponder our own spirit, our own hangings on and letting goes.

Watching those leaves fight the wind on the maple tree as they try to cling tight brings another perspective to a busy life. "Too busy, too much to do's'. Taking this time is not wasted time; it does the spirit good. Try it; let me know if it was beneficial.  The benefits may do your spirit good, too! 

Courtesy of Pixabay

Gratitude Month

November is typically referred to as "gratitude month" in the 12 Step recovery circles.  This is one of my most favorite topics; I have found the benefits of being grateful, also. 

Tonight I am blessed to have been asked to be the presenter to the NAMI association in Manitowoc, Wi.  They want the topic to be gratitude. When focusing on things we are grateful for it is hard, and nearly impossible to focus on the other side of the coin. 

Yes, there are two sides to any coin, heads and tails, and sometimes the tails side of life are really challenging, difficult, upsetting and downright nearly impossible. However, one might wonder what there is to be grateful for? 

Beginning with the smallest of things, even the smallest of things, our list can grow.  Making it a daily habit, over time, reaps its rewards.  It's amazing that it even makes changes in our brain. It was surprising to me just to read this fact but looking back over several years in my own life it seems to be true. 

There is so much this topic offers and I invite you to research it for yourself.  It is such an interesting topic and not just an empty word.  

Being grateful, expressing our thanks, appreciation and gratitude brings rewards we could never imagine.  Ways to do it are enormous, not just with words, but actions.  It's amazing and it seems to have an effect that is hard to imagine.  

So, I am so excited to be at the NAMI group this evening; expressing appreciation is a two way street.  The giver gets as much as the receiver, believe me!  I can't wait!  

Invite

What:     Presentation on gratitude

When:    Monday Nov. 7, 2022 

Where:   Painting Pathways clubhouse 1226                            Washington St. Manitowoc, WI

Time:      6:00 pm.

Presenter: Molly LaFond, Spiritual Director and                         retired hospital chaplain. 

The public is cordially invited to attend. Molly is a regular presenter for NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness). Her background includes a variety of experiences which include: nursing, chaplaincy, grief support, recovery issues, group facilitator and public speaking. She presently is a spiritual director.

Hope to see you there!

Courtesy of Pixabay