VernetteOutLoud

Five Minute Friday: Grateful

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“We write because we love words and the relief it is to just write them without worrying if they’re just right or not. – Lisa-Jo Baker

I’m linking up again this week with Lisa-Jo and the other lovely writers of Five Minute Friday.

Click on the button to the right for more details on what this challenge is all about and how you can participate.

GO

I started a gratitude practice on Mondays where I share 7 positives/things I am grateful or thankful for and this practice has really changed the way I approach my week.

However, this week in particular has been especially hard. It seems everybody and their sister is writing a Mother’s day post and I am dreading reading your blogs this weekend which is crazy because some of my favourite blogs are “mommy-blogs”. In fact I am considering a social media blackout until Monday. Is that normal…that four years later I still cannot share in the happiness of others…even my own family on Mother’s Day?

I am reminded even more so around this time of year that it was the last truly happy times we shared with mummy. And the further away from Mother’s Day Weekend 2010 I get is the more I fear the memories of that weekend will fade. It feels like a triple whammy with her Birthday, Ovarian Cancer Day and Mother’s Day all occurring in the same week.

STOP

I ran out of time and it’s a good thing too because the tears have started and I cannot see through them to type anymore.

Be grateful

Choose joy

 

“Joy does not simply happen to us.
We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day.”
– Henri Nouwen

Joy is one of the fruits of the spirit and like with all fruits, it must be cultivated over time. I have found that my gratitude practice has gradually become a source of real joy since I started noting the things I am grateful for in my life. I’ve been doing this since November of last year and for me, happiness really is in the details. It is the little things I do or don’t do every day that fill me with love and joy.

Joy comes from within and it is the gift that comes from acceptance of who you are…right where you are, patience with yourself as you grow and evolve and being at peace with the world you live in.

You want more joy? It’s simple. Be grateful.

Be grateful for who you are, where you are, just as you are.
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Today I join the lovely Holley Gerth for her, “Coffee for Your Heart” link up.

You can read all about this lovely cup of goodness by clicking on the button to the right.