As the calendar flips closer to Thanksgiving, I consider the last gasp of autumn — this season I enjoy with its colors and textures, the downward dance of the leaves, my walks in the crisp air. In my journal, I record the sights and sounds so that in the cold misery of winter — I […]
Gratitude Attitudes Read More »
We know the health benefits of gratitude, so we focus on giving thanks—particularly during this month of the year. But every year, it’s a good practice to redefine and choose again those special things we are grateful for. This is my current list for this week: Hot Water. As I have watched the horrors of
Hope Embraces Gratitude Read More »
We know the health benefits of gratitude, and we focus on giving thanks—particularly during this week of the year. But every year, it’s a good spiritual practice to redefine and choose again those special things we are grateful for. This is my current list: Hot Water. As I have watched the horrors of the war
Hope Embraces Gratitude Read More »
The caller ID showed a familiar number, so I answered it. “Can you come to the church office? We have something for you.” Something for me? Did I forget my Bible at church? No. My journal? Nay, nay. As I entered the office, the administrative assistant handed me a box. “It’s really heavy. Can you
It makes sense to post about gratitude during this Thanksgiving week. Each year’s Thanksgiving week brings a variety of experiences to draw on. More wisdom learned (hopefully). More intuition about possible gratitudes. Several years ago, I learned more about the power of gratitude when I followed the blog of Ann Voskamp. Her book, One Thousand
Hope Thrives with Gratitude Read More »
Because life is easier when it’s simple, I have decided to merge that principle into my holiday celebrations. What used to be a November and December filled with activities and the traditional holiday set-ups, I have now prefaced with the following questions: How can I simplify the holidays? What gives me the most joy about
Hope Keeps It Simple Read More »
Spices. I am grateful for spices and the sense of taste that allows me to enjoy the wonder of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves and of course – pumpkin pie spice. Part of the joy of spices is how they smell up the entire house while they’re cooking. My mind easily roams back to the farm
Hope in the Gratitudes – Post 3 Read More »
During this Thanksgiving season, I am grateful for sensory perceptions. Writers are encouraged to include the five senses in our manuscripts, and most of us do a good job with sight and hearing. But it’s a little harder to add touch, taste and smell without sounding contrived. Even so, this year I am most grateful
Hope in the Gratitudes – Post 2 Read More »
During the month of November, I want to focus on special gratitudes. Makes sense, right? During Thanksgiving month we should be grateful. But this year, I want to dig a bit deeper than the usual, “Thank you for health, for food, for the roof over my head.” This year, the focus is a series of
Hope in the Gratitudes – Post 1 Read More »
Because this year has taught me more about a simplified life, I have decided to merge this premise into my holidays celebrations. What used to be a November and December filled with activities and the traditional holiday set-ups, I have now prefaced with the following questions: How can I simplify the holidays? What gives me
Hope Keeps It Simple Read More »