2015 05 24 Remember..

Living Life
with an
Attitude of Gratitude

Life has been extraordinarily busy of late.  That's a good thing! Keeps me from getting board. It also has a tendency to keep me from writing. That's not such a good thing.

Someone asked me the other day how I thought the Attitude of Gratitude influenced my SAORI, or visa-versa. I totally think that SAORI has taught me to me more grateful; to be more accepting of the beauty around me. 

As the conversation continued the person wanted to know if SAORI and the Attitude of Gratitude wasn't just settling for less. My question was less than what? 

As a kid I was a perfectionist. And even back then I began to see that perfectionism was a ticket to an unhappy life. Do not misunderstand, I am not talking about doing your best, I'm talking about perfectionism -- where you constantly compare yourself to some ideal. This comparison will either make you feel like a looser or give you a false sense of superiority -- depending on how you interpret the ideal. When we do our personal best, we have achieved our own personal perfection.

Today my gratitude list includes (but is not limited to!)

--> The service men and women who gave their lives in defense of this country.
  
--> Knowing which jobs I can tackle myself (with the help of Hanley of course!)and which are better left to the professionals. 

--> SAORI! The friends I have made. The places I have gone. The peace, forgiveness, and acceptance that has invaded my life.

--> Coffee!

--> Personal Trainers who kick my butt.

2015 05 11

Living Life
with an
Attitude of Gratitude

Monday morning.  Mondays can be rough. You get into a different routine on the weekend, and then BAM it's back to reality. Good Monday Morning to you!

We've been in a bit of an upheaval here at Chez HanDen....the master bedroom is finally being fixed after the major leak in the chimney chase that occurred  in December 2012! The Chimney was fixed in January 2013, but the inside had "minor damage" and got put on the proverbial back burner...Until I decided that Fiber Festival Season would be a good time to get it fixed.

On the one hand: perfect time! On the other hand: not so much. lol  It has added a fair amount of stress to my daily routine. Good news is: we will be back in the maser bedroom and closet before the end of May. We have to be. We have students coming to stay that will be staying in the house.  

How does any of this relate to Gratitude?

Today I am Grateful for:

Mothers. -- Seems appropriate since yesterday was Mother's Day.  I am not a fan of "Mother's Day" (it seems a bit arbitrary to me, like Valentine's day. totally made up to sell people stuff), BUT I am a fan of Mothers.  And Fathers.

Summer in GA. -- The calendar may still say spring, but it is Summer weather. And we all know what that means: AIR CONDITIONING! (brrrr I'm cold!lol)

Birdsong in the Morning -- Ok, so I may not have been saying thank you at 5 a.m., but I really do love hearing the birds first thing in the morning.

All the Dudes that worked on our bedroom -- it is nearly finished.  Yippppppeeeee

Coffee -- I think I need another one.

2015 05 02 The Simple things

Living Life
with an
Attitude of Gratitude

Some days it's the little things that are the most important.

Today I am thankful for

Birds singing in the morning.

Flowers blooming in the garden

Friends who make me laugh.

Berries with yogurt and granola

Coffee!!! in one of my favorite mugs.

2015 05 01

Living Life
with an
Attitude of Gratitude

 Not too long ago I was accused of being a "Pollyanna" ... I was told that I look at the world through rose colored glasses. According to this person, that is the only way to live a life focused on the positive.

I feel sad for that person. They are missing out on so much. Trust me when I tell you, I see and am fully aware of the horrible crap that exists in our world. And those that know me well will tell you that I am a cynic. 

I am. And it is because I know this about myself that I make a conscious effort to see the positive in any given situation.  I am not always successful. That's reality.

Focusing on the positive helps me find the things for which I am grateful. 

Today I am grateful for:

Jack the Contractor -- (1) he believes he has found the last source of leak in the chimney (2) he has repaired the wall in the bedroom and best of all the bedroom is painted.... more on that another time.





Hanley -- who took down all the closet racks so I could paint the master closet...and then told me what a good job I did!

The Floor Dudes -- who are going to put in a new hardwood floor in the master bedroom. (Even though they are not here yet).





Quick delivery -- of gridwall hooks (yes I needed more!) 

Coffee -- always coffee.