If you have followed this blog for very long you probably noticed that I post a lot about taking note of things you are grateful for.
But often we forget that being grateful is about more than being thankful for material things, gratitude is also about experiences that you’ve had, people you have met, or other non-material things that you have received.
For example, have you ever been thankful that you drove all the way to work and had all green lights?
Have you ever thank the Universe for a complement you received?
Today, make it your goal to make a list of non-material things you’re thankful for:
“I am grateful I had the opportunity to shovel snow from my elderly neighbor’s driveway so she could go to church.”
“I am grateful a colleague made me realize what a terrific job I have.”
“I am grateful I had an amazing time learning to surf on vacation.”
“I am grateful I have a loving family.”
“I am grateful I found an inspirational book to listen to in my commute.”
“I am grateful my grandmother taught me how to make her delicious fried chicken.”
Expressing gratitude is a great way to put a positive spin on your day and your life. And, if you say, “Thank You”, to someone else it can make their life better as well.
If you liked this post or found it helpful, please share it with friends and family. Together we can make the world a happier more positive place, one “thank you” at a time.
It has been quite awhile since you passed and I have still not said, “goodbye.” I have always had a reason, “I’m too busy,” “I don’t know what to say,” “There is no point anyhow.” But, as they say there is no time like the present and it seems that I need you now more than ever. Perhaps I am hoping to invoke your spirit.
I can still recall the first time we met. I was 20 years old, frightened and traumatized. You sat down next to me on a bench. You sat next to me saying nothing, offering no sympathetic words, no comforting hug, not even a tissue. You just sat quietly next to me, just sat. I’m not sure how long we sat on that bench, 20-30 minutes, it seemed like forever, but when it was time for me to leave you stood up with me, touched me lightly on the shoulder and with a sheepish grin said, “You’re going to be okay.” You stood very still as I walked away, I remember you were still watching as the door closed.
“You’re going to be okay.”
You left a business card with a friend and instructions for me to call if I needed anything. (To this day I don’t know what she told you happened to me and why I was there. I suppose it never mattered.) I didn’t call, you did. Several weeks after our first meeting you called my apartment. How you found my number I do not know. You left a message checking to see how I was doing and if I needed anything. You told me to call if I did. I still didn’t call. I am not one to ask for help, especially from a stranger.
A few days later another call, this time from an assistant, caught me at home, “Yes, I am fine, thank you. Yes, I will call if I need anything. Goodbye.”
I cried after that phone call. Never in my life had anyone gone to such lengths to check on my welfare. No one. Ever.
I was surprised to see you a year later. You appeared out of nowhere at a meeting I was attending. How did you know I would be there? Again, I was scared and nervous. Before I went into the meeting you placed your hand on my shoulder, smiled and said, “You’re going to be okay.”
You were waiting outside when I came out of the room. “Why did you come,” I asked. “People like us need to stick together,” was your answer. You knew even then, before I did, who I was and what lay ahead for me.
I never saw you again after that, but I thought of you often whenever I got frightened or sad or wanted to quit. I would feel your hand on my shoulder, see your grin and hear you say, “You’re going to be okay” and it would give me the courage to go on.
The news of your passing came as a shock. I am amazed anyone knew to contact me. Even in death you found a way to get me the message, “You’re going to be okay.”
But, I am not okay. I haven’t been since I heard you were gone. I feel lost, alone, afraid. It seems strange, I only met you twice but they were two of the hardest moments of my adult life and there you were with your hand on my shoulder, “You’re going to be okay.”
I am not sure you ever knew how much those moments meant to me. I’ve never had anyone that really cared about me, checked in on me or took the time to be there for me but for those few moments there you were a complete stranger showing me a kindness and concern I had never known was possible. For those few moments someone cared.
Those few moments carried me through what was to come the good, the bad, the worse. Through it all was the hand, the smile and the mantra, “You’re going to be okay.”
I need you to know that I don’t blame you for giving in. I understand what it feels like to be tired of fighting and hiding and pretending. I know what it’s like when the dark clouds roll in over a sky that has been sunny for too long. I know what it’s like to be, “people like us.”
I do wish that I could have met you one more time so that I could put my hand on your shoulder, smile sheepishly, and say, “You’re going to be okay.”
The logical and rational side of me knows that it would not have made a difference but part of me wants to believe that I could somehow have given back a little bit of what you gave to me. Hope. Reassurance.
I guess there is nothing left to do now but to say, “Goodbye” and “Thank you.”
As I have said throughout the month if you look for them the Universe delivers you little miracles every day.
Recently I have been unable to find my favorite body lotion. Trips to 3 different stores have yielded no results. This morning I was forced to dig into my stash of backup 2nd class lotion :-(. To my surprise and glee there in the box was an unopened bottle of my beloved lotion!!! Apparently I purchased a backup bottle awhile back and had forgotten.
Coincidence? Perhaps. A daily miracle? Definitely!
Keep your eyes open, trust the Universe, believe it can happen and the Universe will send you a “miracle” each and every day.
Keep writing in your Miracles Journal to stay focused on the miracles YOU are receiving.
This month I have given you the task of listing the “miracles” that come into your life on a daily basis. Click here to visit the September’s Wellwork post.
I am curious, what miracles have you seen so far?
For me personally, some days’ miracles are small yet impactful such as clients rescheduling appointments when they have to cancel or a 50% off coupon on an item I was going to buy any how. Other days the miracles are big and really let me know I am on the right track with my thoughts and feelings. For example, a recent inspection of my checking account told me my summer savings was soon to run out. Rather than get nervous and fearful I began to focus on thoughts of abundance. Within hours of beginning my affirmations a client called and scheduled 2 “bonus” appointments for the week, a quick and much needed influx of cash into my bank account. Now, if that is not a “miracle” from the Universe I don’t know what is.
Each day the Universe sends us messages directing us on where to go and what to do to achieve our goals. Look for these little “miracles” daily write them down in your journal and refer back to them on those days when you feel like things are not going as you planned. Be grateful for everything you receive however big or small.
Have fun and Have a Happy Healthy Day!
Need help finding the Miracles in your life? Contact me for a 1-on-1 session.
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