Through The Tulips Words of 'Wiz'dom

This morning while I was on the train- I was passing the time by reading an article on the ‘eye’. The article was actually about weight loss, but something the article mentioned was 98% of being successful is actually showing up in the first place. After all, if we don’t ‘show up’ for something, we definitely can’t expect to be successful.

It made me think about all the times that I’ve ‘been’ somewhere, but I hadn’t really shown up and been ready to receive results, and ready to do what it took to get them. I was grateful for that little lesson in life this morning.

Today was a day filled with train delays and cancellations, but yet, rather than being frustrated, I enjoyed the time. Yes, it was cold- after all 18 degess IS cold, but I had fun. I laughed and smiled at others when they groaned about the train problems and it made my day better.

I’m feeling really grateful today- for many things, but I’ll share a few with you- I’d love to know what you’re feeling grateful about in your own life today.

My Gratitude List for January 26, 2010.

Today I’m Grateful For:

• In spite of the crazy trains and their problems, I still made it to Bible Study and to Bobbi’s this afternoon.
• Marcel, for picking me up at a rerouted train stop and taking me to Bobbi’s since my train was canceled.
• The fabulous soup that Bobbi made us for lunch and the recipe that she gave me so I can make it this weekend. YUM!
• My deliciously warm bed, that I had a hard time getting out of this morning.
• SUNSHINE!!!  A full day of sunshine-  the first in a long time. 

Marcel is working this afternoon and tomorrow afternoon, which means I’ll have some well needed time to myself. That doesn’t exactly sound right, but sometimes I really enjoy having some time where the TV isn’t on, and there’s no music playing. Plus if I want to sit in the dark and think about life, I can without someone asking me why. Those are times for me to think about many things, and also to reflect and be grateful.

My Gratitude List for January 20, 2010.

Today I’m Grateful For:

• Little notes from friends that bring a smile to my face.
• A quiet afternoon alone.
• Hope
• Humanity
• Sunshine- even if I only saw it momentarily.

As we enter the third week of the year, I sit in reflection of how great these first two weeks of the year have been. I have done in expecting great things, and I know that it will more than likely surpass my wildest dreams.

I have a little pup that wants to hit the fire hydrant, so I’ll have to keep this short and sweet.

My Gratitude List for January 15, 2010.

Today I’m Grateful For:

• Seeing dreams come true before my eyes.
• The joy that JJ and Mister M. bring to my life.
• Free coffee at Ikea.
• Cute lamp shades that I found to go with my living room lamps and they were on sale!
• Thick mushroom soup.

My Gratitude List for January 14, 2010.

Today I’m Grateful For:

• Simple things, that bring a smile to my face,  like the scent of soup cooking on the stove.
• Curly Kale, which I absolutely love.
• Mom, for helping with my little projects.
• Easy cooking days.
• Being two weeks into the new year, and seeing great things in the works.

Today is yet another day that I’m grateful for so many things, and while I take the time to pause and reflect on a few of them, I challenge you to do the same.

My Gratitude List for January 13, 2010.

Today I’m Grateful For:

• The beautiful pale pink and cream roses that Marcel surprised me with today.
• The miracle and wonder of babies.  I got to hold baby Luca today!
• Spending time with friends.
• Little plans and surprises coming together. Yeah!!
• An evening home alone with JJ and Mister M.

Even when I may not have time to write a whole lot here, I do want to try to take the time to remember things that I’m grateful for today and every day.

My Gratitude List for January 12, 2010.

Today I’m Grateful For:

• Bible Study, which started again today.
• Each and every one of the women who were there today, who bless my life in more ways than they know.
• Free coffee that I got at the train station, simply by helping another.
• Running into an old school mate who didn’t recognize me because I’d lost so much weight.
• Marcel, for cooking dinner.

Even though I may not be sharing them here every day as of yet, I really am trying to spend this year focused on the positive and that includes living a life of gratitude. I find that if I spend my time focused on the good things in life, then I have far less time and inclination to focus on the negative.

I challenge you to do the same.

My Gratitude List for January 11, 2010.

Today I’m Grateful For:

• For having the courage to get out on the ice and slide like a kid.  (Thanks mom)
• Morning cuddles with both Mister M. and J.J. 
• The wonderful coffee that Marcel brewed us this morning.
• Free coffee at the grocery store that I can drink as I shop.
• Snow and frozen canals.

It’s hard to believe that we are almost a week into the new year. Aside from a few frustrations and speed bumps, the year couldn’t be better and I know with each passing day things are only going to continue to be great.

In a little while, I’m going to retire to the kitchen for a little while and start dinner, but before I do.

My Gratitude List for January 6, 2010.

Today I’m Grateful For:

• The softly falling snow and the beautiful blanket of white.
• The silence and overall peaceful feeling that comes along with the snow.
• New recipes, which I’m excited about trying.
• Thick warm socks that keep my feet warm on days like these.
• JJ and Mister M. who never fail to make me giggle.

• We are already four days into this new year and already it’s going great. I have high expectations of what this year is going to be for me, and I know that it can be even better than I think.

I’m grateful for so much- so I thought I’d share a few of what I’m grateful for today.

My Gratitude List for January 4, 2010.

Today I’m Grateful For:

• A quiet evening at home to relax and do exactly what I’d like.
• The little things that make me smile.
• Friendship- real friendship.
• The freeing sense of saying no when I want to, and not saying yes just because I feel obligated.
• Warm socks on a cold winter’s day.

I still can’t believe when I’m typing the words 2010 that is it “really” 2010. Hard to believe that so much time has passed since we rang in the all dreaded 2000. Remember when so many people thought that the world would end, or that all the computers in the world would fail to work?

I’d planned on looking back in 2009 and sharing some of the things I was most grateful for. Instead, I’ve decided that I don’t need to spend any time looking back over my shoulder, but instead I am focused and looking at what is right in front of my nose. It’s what I have, and it’s my NOW.

My Gratitude List for January 1, 2010.

Today I’m Grateful For:

• Spending the afternoon with Desere- just hanging out, laughing and watching movies.
• Diddy’s cornbread recipe, which made my New Year’s Dinner complete.
• A day that had no commitments or appointments.
• Coming into a warm home after going for a walk in the cold with J.J.  
• Lotion which is soothing my skin, which has become dry from the weather and the antibacterial gel that I’ve been using.