This is the time of year many of us ponder what we are thankful for in life and generally live with an increased sense of gratitude.       Living a life of gratitude helps us find the positive side of life and reminds us what is really important. Seeing the world through the lens of thankfulness gives our lives more meaning, more appreciation, and more joy. Gratitude balances life by counteracting all the negatives the world throws at our souls.     “Gratitude is like a flashlight. If you go out into your yard at night and turn on a flashlight, you suddenly can see what's there. It was always there, but you couldn't see it in the dark." (From Dawna Markova, Attitudes of Gratitude.)    “When it comes to life the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude.”
G. K. ChestertonHere are a few videos to sprinkle some gratitude on your journey and help you make it a daily spiritual practice:Gratitude, Nichole NordemanPractice GratitudeA poem about … [Read more...]

Okay, I failed. My great intentions in the previous post to choose joy quickly evaporated amidst the muck of annoying frustrations.No major crisis occurred. I have friends who buried their 21 year old child/grandchild this week and another one whose daughter may be having a miscarriage – true joy zappers. On a whole, blessings filled my week so far.Yet an undercurrent of anger and frustration – not joy- ruled my heart.Little nuisances like waiting for an appointment that ran an hour and half late, a near miss with a deer darting in front of my car, being stuck behind a semi truck chugging along at 40 mph in a 55 zone, not getting answers from a customer service representative, and the never ending too many things on my list to do and not enough time. Looking back, joy left me not because of one incident, but because of many minor aggravations. They surrounded me like a swarm of those tiny flying bugs you bat about with your hand on a hot summer evening. Yuck! Like flecks of mud, they … [Read more...]

A great local Christian radio station is WBCL.  (You can listen to them over the internet too. click here)As I drove to Ft Wayne yesterday, I turned to WBCL for their 9:00 talk show, MidMorning. Much to my surprise they played music instead of dealing with a subject matter. I enjoyed two tunes, then Lynne Ford, the host, came on laughing. Apparently the author she lined up to interview that morning forgot and was not available. “Good thing we talked about gratitude last week,” Lynne said. “No matter what happens I am choosing joy.”The next hour’s show was a delight as listeners shared the experience with reading the bible and the radio giving away numerous copies of God’s word.Choosing Joy.Lynne had no idea her perfectly planned Monday morning would change, but she made the most of it and listening that day lifted my spirits. I am sure her attitude blessed others too. Joy became contagious beginning with Lynne and radiating to many people including me.We do have that choice in life, … [Read more...]