by Laura Passard Yurko
While participating in our 30-day gratitude challenge, Grateful Living, I have found myself being able to list more and more things to appreciate each day. Quite honestly, the first day I struggled to come up with 5 things to list but just about every day since I seem to add one more than the day before. And, you know what has come up at least once a day? Me. That's right, I'm thankful for me. Do I feel a little weird admitting that? You betcha! But, it feels good when I'm writing it all down. Though I am uncomfortable admitting it publicly, it feels quite natural to appreciate things I've done or the attitude I have. I find that as I'm appreciating the opportunity for something to have happened I also give myself a little shout out for taking advantage of the opportunity. Recently my list read: 5. having a comfortable place to sit and reflect 6. my ability to reflect 7. I'm learning how to be more patient with myself My list can be very superficial at times (no joke, I listed donuts one day), sentimental at others (especially when referring to my husband or child) but the real depth comes when I can develop a thought through to where I am grateful for my very existence. It is then that I see how God sees me. And, I feel loved.
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By Monica Peterson Often I find myself praying for peace or dreaming for some alone time in my bed with a book and a nice glass of wine. I should say a HUGE glass of wine. Usually these dreams come at about 4:00pmwhen the fatigue of the day is setting in and the dinner rush is about to begin. But then I have to pause … look … and listen. My son is strumming an off cord tune on his guitar (very off tune I have to say), my daughter is running up and down the hall screaming at him (yes bone chilling screams), the dryer pounding methodically because I had to wash the baby’s muddy shoes (I don’t know why I bother). But once I pause … look … and listen I realize that these are the sounds of my home, the hums and the clatter that remind me that I am alive. It’s a home that we all have created together. It’s a living mess but oh its a glorious mess. My children are with me and they are safe. So with that short pause when I take the time to look and listen … I am grateful. Grateful for my home, the roof over my head, a stove where I don’t have to light a fire, and then it comes. Some days it takes longer but it comes and I actually feel Peace. This month we're focusing on gratitude. Join us, won't you? Check outwww.grateful-living.weebly.com for more information.
by Laura Passard Yurko I recently read an article about how we as a society have a tendency towards being "busy". Some people like to appear busy to seem important while others fill their time to avoid dealing with issues. As Moms we are busy managing the sometimes competing needs of our selves, our children, and our spouses. We are trying to accomplish an entire world of options in a finite amount of time. We want to take advantage of every opportunity for growth and development and fun. Our Calendars and To Do Lists are filled with spending time with friends, taking trips, participating in classes or teams, volunteering, cleaning, hosting parties, not to mention all of the details - the meals, the costumes or craft projects, the photo albums, the cards and gifts we buy, and everything we do to create meaningful experiences for our children and families, to enrich their lives. The opportunity to be able to choose such wonderful ways to spend time is truly a gift but I'm completely guilty of lamenting what I have to do and am frequently overwhelmed by everything I have to do. Then, in our discussion this past Thursday one of our Mom's shared a story of Have To Do vs. Get To Do - how she and another mother viewed the same activity in those two different ways. "Ka Pow!" (that's the sound of my mind being blown). Just think about the difference in those two statements: "Have To Do" connotes obligation, unwillingness, drudgery or resentment. "Get To Do" connotes excitement, enthusiasm, joy, and even gratitude. Changing just one word can completely change your attitude and approach to the task at hand. Try it! This month we're focusing on gratitude. Join us, won't you? Check out www.grateful-living.weebly.com for more information.
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AboutReflections inspired by our weekly faith sharing and fellowship. Archives
January 2015
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