Wednesday, November 25, 2009

AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE


I woke up this morning with an overwhelming feeling of happiness. Why? I have absolutely no idea, but I'm really enjoying it! Just the same, it made me stop and think of what brought this on, and I began to list all of the things I'm grateful for.

Sarah Ban Breathnach, author of Simple Abundance, and a frequent guest on Oprah, suggests that people keep a "gratitude journal." Just list five things each day that you're grateful for. Big or small, simple or profound, it's up to you. Now, I must confess that I don't always write mine down, but at some point during my day I think of all that I am thankful for. Because no matter how crappy your day is, there is always something to be thankful for. And when you focus on those blessings, you feel better.

Here's an example of five things I'm grateful for:




1. My first cup of coffee in the morning.
2. The beauty of the brilliant fall foliage.
3. My family--having a husband and three children who are all healthy and happy.
4. The friends I have met online, especially my fellow "Romance Dishers".
5. My pets who never fail to make me laugh and give me unconditional love, and an houseful of hair!

Not to sound too Pollyannaish, but positive tho
ughts do become positive actions. Have you ever been around someone (or been that someone) who is all woe-is-me-doom and gloom-black-cloud-over-my-head-just-call-me-Eeyore? The longer they go on about the negative things in their life, the worse you feel, and no doubt they do, too. We all have bad days and are entitled to host our own pity party. Just don't let that party go on too long.


As we near Thanksgiving, it seems appropriate to focus on our many blessings. At our house during our Thanksgiving feast, everyone says what they are most thankful for. It's my favorite thing about the day.




So friends, what are you thankful for today?

33 comments:

  1. Gannon
    What a beautiful post

    Happy Thanksgiving to you all.

    I am so thankful for my wonderful family they bring me such joy I am also thankful for all of the authors who write such wonderful stories that give hours of pleasure and for the online friends I have made.

    Have Fun
    Helen

    ReplyDelete
  2. Great post, Gannon! I'm also a bit of a Pollyanna and proud of it *g*

    There are so many things I'm thankful for such as my husband and kids, our extended family and wonderful friends!

    Happy Thanksgiving!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks, Helen! Of course, family is the top of the list. And I agree with you about the authors who continue to feed my book addiction. *g* I, too, am thankful for my online friends like you, Helen!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Beth, being a little bit of a Pollyanna makes life more pleasant, don't you think? :)

    Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Gannon, thank you for such a lovely post. There is nothing wrong with being a Pollyanna. We all need to play the "Glad Game" more and, perhaps, every day.
    I am thankful for many blessings. The Lord has been good to me. I have a wonderful husband and daughter and 2 stepsons. I am especially thankful that my mother is recovering, slowly, from an illness that still has few answers. My dad is finally on thyroid meds and doing much better. I have two wonderful sisters and BILs and a MIL.
    I really would also like to say that I am very much enjoying getting to know everyone at TRD. It is great fun to check in here each day!
    Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I am thankful for my family and the fact that we are all together this Thanksgiving. I am also thankful for my many friends--especially those who become like family.
    Life is good, and having a positive attitude and surrounding yourself with positive people, only make it better.
    I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving. I know I will pause frequently to count my blessings!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Deb, I am glad to hear that your mother is recovering and that your dad is doing better as well.

    I'm thankful that you are part of The Romance Dish family and share part of your day with us!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Cyndi, I know how special it is for your whole family to be together for the holidays. All the time Mike could not be home with you and the kids makes your time together that much more precious.

    Happy Thanksgiving, my friend. I count you as one of my blessings.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm off to work. I'll check in as often as I can during the day.

    Have a great one!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Lovely post, Gannon. I've got so much to be grateful for, that it's impossible to list them all, and ranking them...well that's tough, but here goes.

    1. I have two beautiful daughters and a wonderful husband

    2. My daughter is doing better, and her surgery will take care of her current health woes

    3. I have a job

    4. I have wonderful supportive friends when I whine about how lousy I am at so many things.

    5. I have three books coming out in 2010 and at least two more in 2011

    I really do have so much to be grateful for.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Monica, that's a wonderful list. I'm grateful you have a lot of books coming out soon!

    ReplyDelete
  12. What a great post, Gannon!! Let's see...I'm thankful for God, my loving family, my wonderful friends, my job, and having such great books to read. ;)

    Happy Thanksgiving!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Nice post ^^

    1)That it's not raining out today. It's been raining for the last week here in PA.

    2) For my animals who are always glad to see me.

    3) To having my part-time job that lets me work around my busy school schedule.

    4) I'm happy that some more Christmas presents i ordered came in today.

    5) I'm happy that i'm finally graduating university this semester. Its only taken me 5 1/2 years to do so.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Wonderful post, Gannon!

    I agree that even on the darkest days we can find things to be thankful for. I'm always thankful for friends, family, and faith. Today I'm especially thankful for the smell of cinnamon in my kitchen, Josh Turner's Haywire on my CD player, and sticky kisses from a four-year-old.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Gannon, what a lovely post!

    Wanted to swing by and wish the Dishies a very happy Thanksgiving!!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I love your post Gannon... althought I didn't see anything about being thankful for having a seriusly fabulous niece..but you can just be thankful for that tomorrow over all of my homemade goodness!

    I'm thankful for having a fantastic funny and loving family and I'm thrilled that I am now living closer to all of them. I'm also thankful that after 20 years of not having the chance to know my sister, I can now call her my best friend!

    And to all of my fellow Dishers:
    Happy Thanksgiving!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Trisha, enjoy your Thanksgiving break being home with your family!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Jedisakora, congratulations on graduating this semester! That's a wonderful accomplishment!

    Thanks for sharing your gratitude list with us!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hi, Janga! Aren't sticky kisses from wee children the best?!

    Have a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Anna, thanks for the Thanksgiving wishes! You'll have to come visit us one day and join our Thanksgiving feast!!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Megan, it goes without saying that I have a fabulous niece, actually two! Can't wait to celebrate with all of you tomorrow! I'm thinking elastic waist pants are in order. LOL

    ReplyDelete
  22. Gannon, I'd love it! Eating, drinking and hanging out with my cool buddies over there? Sounds pretty darn great to me!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Anytime, Anna, dear! My door is always open to you....as long as you're bringing Tim Tams! LOL

    ReplyDelete
  24. Lovely post, Gannon. I'm thankful that we can get together for the holidays. We do tend to forget the simple things in life. Have a Happy Thanksgiving.

    ReplyDelete
  25. What a lovely blog, Gannon. I'm grateful for so many things, not the least of which is the wonderful friends I've made throughout the romance community. I'm grateful for good health, good friends, my sweet Cassy and my wonderful family.

    This year, I'm also grateful that Buffie, Gannon, Andrea and I came together to create The Romance Dish and that so many of you have welcomed us with open arms. I appreciate each and every one of you!

    Happy Thanksgiving!

    Btw, I'm a full-fledged, card carrying Pollyanna and proud of it! :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. What a wonderfully thought-provoking post, Gannon! I count my blessings every day, but don't write them down. Perhaps I should start. I'm thankful for:

    God
    My husband and kids
    My family
    My friends (especially Buffie, Gannon, PJ and all the other authors and readers throughout the romance community)
    Books, books, and more books

    Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! May you all stay safe and eat way too much! :)

    ReplyDelete
  27. Jane, the simple things are often the best. Happy Thanksgiving!

    ReplyDelete
  28. PJ, I am so very thankful for you, Andrea and Buffie and the fun we've had creating The Romance Dish!

    Happy Thanksgiving!

    Hugs,
    Gannon

    ReplyDelete
  29. Andrea, you, Buffie and PJ are on my list of things I'm grateful for. The Romance Dish has been one of the highlights of my year and I couldn't think of a finer group of women to share the journey with.

    Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family!

    Hugs,
    Gannon

    ReplyDelete
  30. Sorry to be late with the gratitude

    Hmmmmm....let's see. Five things?

    1. Family and friends both in real time and cyberworld time. The Banditas.

    2. Every smidgen of improvement with my friend's husband who is critically ill in the hospital.

    3. For my health and the opportunity to be healthier

    4. Chocolate. Hey! It's healthy! Lots of antioxidants!

    5. The children in my life. They see the world so simply, so beautifully that no matter the adult worries that plague you...they put it all in perspective with one "Joan Darling"

    Happy Thanksgiving to all the Dishers!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Joanie, I think chocolate is an excellent thing to be thankful for!

    Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Thanks Gannon Carr ^^ I'm looking forward to seeing my diploma i labored hard and long for. I'm just hoping to find a good job in a next few months.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Wonderful post, Gannon! I do believe that we should all take an attitude of gratitude every single day.

    Here's my quick list

    God
    My family (a house full of my guys!)
    Wonderful friends (including my online buddies!)
    A job (especially in this economy)
    A morning to sleep in late :0

    ReplyDelete