"There is a calmness to a life lived in gratitude, a quiet joy." ~ Ralph H. Blum

Just a short post today ... I love this quote and the meaning within it. I have such admiration for those who possess this kind of calmness and quiet joy. I long for that kind of consistent calmness and joy. To get there, I have to practice gratitude daily and no matter the circumstances. But what faith and contentment must be the result.

My prayer for you as the Thanksgiving holiday approaches is that you will feel that calmness and joy amidst the flurry of family and meals - or within the quiet of a solitary holiday. I pray that it will be, for all of us, the foundation of a journey into a life lived in gratitude.

Happy Thanksgiving!
Blessings to you and those you love,
Sheryl

Endings

"Beginnings are usually scary and endings are usually sad, but it's the middle that counts. You have to remember this when you find yourself at the beginning." (Sandra Bullock - not sure what movie)

Today, I am thankful for endings. Strange, I know, but I am. Grudgingly grateful, yet still grateful. I got up this morning in a real mood - and after about ten minutes of putting up with myself, I had to make a decision. I could either continue to feel sorry for myself over this particular situation that did not turn out as I would have wanted (nothing tragic or even life-altering, so do not worry), or I could look for the blessings in it and move on. Obviously human nature would have had me choosing the first because it's far easier to have a pity party, but in the end, reason won out, and now here I sit, looking for the blessings.

Forgive me for not sharing more detail but in reality, the details don't matter here (it's nothing you would guess nor predict, but enough to matter to me if no one else). Endings come in all kinds of shapes and sizes, and in all forms. They can be tied to people, places, careers, or any variety of thing. Some endings are life-altering, and some are just ripples along the path. Some endings come with a loss and others come with sighs of relief. Sometimes endings can even be questionable - can something have an ending if it never had a real beginning?

I think where I am headed here is that without endings, you never get to experience new beginnings (and then new "middles"). If you refuse to embrace the endings in life, you're seated in the discomfort and awkwardness of an ending waiting to happen - and all the while, new life and growth awaits you just around the bend.

Therefore, my focus today will be anticipation of what beginnings lie ahead, whether it be next week, next month, or next year. I'd much rather spend my day in that frame of mind than lamenting what is out of my control. So today, God, I am am grateful to You for the endings.

Friends Along the Way

"It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Before you ask, yes, that is a real Emerson quote. :-) When I ran across this quote today, it instantly sparked a reaction. I was already feeling a deep sense of thankfulness for friends today, due mostly to hours spent looking several old photo albums. I relived so many precious memories in those pictures and was already missing those friends. I scanned the least embarrassing photos of interest and put them out on Facebook, and the comments began. It was so fun to share in those memories with my friends, and then to wonder together what has become of all those other friends we've lost touch with over time. I am so blessed by my friends.

I was already feeling that, but then when I read the quote, it immediately made me think about not just the fact that I am thankful for my friends, but WHY I am thankful for them. And one of the biggest things would have to be just the freedom to be real - even when being real involves looking a little foolish. Who else but friends and family will accept us for who we truly are, and love us even still?

So to all my friends, may you feel blessed today for the beauty that you bring into my life. For friendships that have drifted away, for those that have lasted, and for those that are new, I am immeasurably grateful.

A fresh start...

I've tried the whole blog thing before - in fact, I still have another one, but I don't feel like I really thought "why" before I started it. Why did I start it, and what was my goal? I don't think I knew the answer to either question and thus, the blog floundered from the start. Add in the death of my grandpa, a particularly tough spring at work, and a phase of discontent, and I just couldn't get past the feeling that I didn't have anything to write about that anyone would care to read.

Months have passed and though I'm still not sure anyone will truly want to read my thoughts, I am a little more focused in my vision and am ready for a fresh start....

The title says it all, really. There are so many blessings upon the path of life, and how often do I stop to truly consider them? I've been very convicted over the past couple of weeks that I need to work on being honestly grateful in my life. I'm not talking about remembering to say "thank you" or anything like that. I try to live a positive life, but sometimes in the stress and activity of every day, it is too easy to overlook the blessings - simple or profound. How often do we stop in the flurry of life to express gratitude?

Therefore, my direction here is to take the time to reflect on the countless blessings that God has brought into my life and perhaps, in doing so, bring similar blessings from your own life to your mind as well.

I'm sure that I'll fall down on the job from time to time ... so here's my blanket apology and request for your forgiveness when I do. Until then, thanks for joining me on the journey...