Category Archives: motivation

Gratitude For Simplicity

Gratitude is beautiful. Gratitude is simple. Gratitude is free. Gratitude feels good. Gratitude may be shared or solo. Gratitude brings joy. Gratitude is happiness. Gratitude may be given.

But, lately when watching the recent tornados, when watching our politicians, when reading social media, and/or when watching the news it feels like I am at threat of losing Gratitude, so I seek directions or wisdom to help me hang on.

I am reminded within a fortune cookie that “everything has beauty but not everyone sees it.” My mind reflects upon an extension to “Gratitude may be found in everything, but not everyone finds it.” So, as I sit in the stillness of my room, I look up the definition of “simplicity” which means something that is easy to understand or do, or something that is natural.

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Walking The Pathway to Gratitude

I have been posting for eleven (11) months now, 160 posts to date, as I walk and discover my own pathway to gratitude so I want to pause and reflect upon the meanings beneath my messages to you. First, living in a State of Gratitude is not always easy and takes being in a State of Mindfulness I would say.

I prefer to be mindful when I blog about gratitude. Intellectually, it feels the best!

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Grateful For The Benefits From Mental Practice

Physically, we are constantly faced with the need to perform various physical actions such as walking, running, sitting, skating, biking, swimming, opening bottles, lifting and many more. As we grow older, or if we have any illness, sometimes our physical actions become limited, or modified. Too often I watch people become increasing disabled by their perception of their limitations.

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Through Gratitude We Are Generous (STICKS Poem)

This is the season of generosity. My mother (Marian E. Blake) composed a poem, “STICKS – Four Men Sitting Around A Fire”, that captures this spirit and reminds us what will happen when we act with greed. Just like the season of Thanksgiving, the various religious practices during the month of December should be practiced year round, yet we seem to get busy with life and we forget about the importance of giving to others.

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A Day For Gratitude

Today is Thanksgiving – a day for Gratitude! This is typically a memorable day for all because of time with friends and family and, THE FOOD. The various parades, and runs, and shopping beginning for the holidays, new movies, lots of photos taken, and generally great times happen on this day each year.

As I reflected on this day for all of us, I paused to reflect on why each day can not be like this day? Is gratitude seasonal? Gratitude should be practiced each and every day don’t you think?

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Interpretation When In A State of Gratitude

Medicine is not a pure science like mathematics or physics. We learn this when getting second opinions from professionals because we want choices for our health care. When we get an initial diagnosis, we sometimes feel “frozen” and “scared”. It is at these moments of information exchange that I want to share some insights with you.

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Managing The Emotionality Of Gratitude

Gratitude is an emotion. Poor health creates strong emotions and fears. Life and death decisions are emotional events in our lives. Yesterday, I experienced “life” once again after several weeks of believing I might be dying this time.

Back in 2017, without warning, I experienced breast, ovarian, and peritoneal cancers. I had multiple surgeries and treatments. Yesterday, we expected that I had lung cancer. I always say I am the sickest healthy person you might ever meet. Yet, for 4.5 years I have been blessed with good health and no recurrences. Yesterday, we decided my lung nodules will be followed… no invasive diagnostic procedures just yet. Yeah!

These past, but sudden events in my life drove me to “Gratitude”.

I am so grateful that I am alive and healthy, but I sometimes have survivor’s guilt as I know many people who have not been as fortunate as I, and have already lost their life.

So, I ask myself… how may I help? What might I say to you to cause you to be positive instead of scared to death, miserable, and so often in pain?

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I Am Grateful For My Spiritual Journey To Health And Wellness

I am nearing four and one-half years of health after multiple cancers and surgeries in 2017. I am grateful that I am still healthy, but never do I take my present health for granted. The source stimulating these postings is my joy with life, and my sincere appreciation and happiness to have time to “pay it forward” to others while here.

As many people do, I read and ask questions, and share with others to learn about healing and health and wellness. I can tell you from experience that there is a lot to learn and practice to maintain health. Sometimes I stray from my devotion to a healthier lifestyle, better eating, mindful practices with toxins and GMOs in our world, and Western and Eastern medical beliefs. But, when my CT scans and labs remind me that my body chemistry is changing, I jump back into better practices and pray.

People ask me what am I doing to stay so healthy? I tell them what I am learning, but many people do the same things I do, and much more, and, sadly, many people continue to die around me which makes me so sad, and gives me a feeling of survivor’s guilt. I want to do more to help others so I keep posting happy ideas, and peaceful thoughts. Also, I post joyful events like playing with your pets, and enjoyable moments with family and friends or beautiful trips deep into nature.

This month I am pulling all of my postings, videos, blogs, tweets, and Instagrams into more of a common “digital media” composite so that I may share what I believe and what I have learned thus far. If this is helpful to you, please let me know. If you would like more from me, please let me know.

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Grateful For Today As Tomorrow Is Not Promised

This is a special week for me as tomorrow is Veteran’s Day and my father was a WWII Marine, and it is also my mother’s death anniversary. My parents were remarkable people and I miss them very much.

In the video that follows, I repeat a poem my mother would frequently say to us, Tomorrow is Not Promised. Today I feel such gratitude for the parents I had.

As “Tomorrow Is Not Promised”, I encourage you to express your appreciation to your parent(s) today as well, as we never know what may happen tomorrow!

With deep gratitude, make the very best of today!

#gratitudelite