Most of the photos here at Rabbit Run Cottage
can be enlarged just by clicking on each one!
There you go...see? Easy!

Friday, November 27, 2009

A Thing Called Gratitude...




I am squeezing the last bit of Autumn Blessings from this final sweet week in November...the quiet peace of heart and warmth of spirit that Thanksgiving always brings. Yes, I too love the Christmas holidays but it is Thanksgiving that lifts my soul in a way I often find difficultto explain. It often seems that this holiday, and it's true meaning, get lost in a flurry of early Christmas decorating and Black Friday shopping sprees. All fun and
exciting true...but as one who loves this special week far more than I can adequately express, it is sad to see it come to an end. I am blessed by this time of year...I am grateful for it.


Gratitude is usually defined as a feeling of thankfulness and appreciation. “Thank you” probably ranks right up there with the first sentences you taught your children to say...right? Why? Not only because it is the polite thing to do, but because we all need to feel appreciated. Thankful people are just more pleasant to be around.  Of course they are! And heck, if that alone is not enough reason to be more thankful, and to teach our children to be more thankful, scientists have linked gratitude to mental and physical well-being. Uh huh. It's true! These studies show that truly grateful people report higher levels of life satisfaction, vitality, and optimism while also feeling less depressed and stressed during those inevitable rough patches. The best thing you can do to help your children develop a thankful heart is to be a good role model. Feel grateful and you will radiate gratitude! It will positively ooze from every pore!

Remember to say thank you to your children when they clean up their rooms, even if the job they do is not exactly up to your specifications or even those of the local board of health. Say thanks to the rookie waitress who, although trying her very best, still forgets your baked potato & brings you a regular Coke instead of a Diet. 3 separate times. Say thank you to your wife for always being there for you, yes, even when you leave your boxers on the bathroom floor and toothpaste in the sink.

As you lay your head on the pillow each night, think about the good things, the often little, overlooked things that made you smile, laugh, and feel good. Those things are there, I promise you that. Even in the midst of frustration, emotional pain and sorrow, they are there.

A beautiful sunset, a cooling breeze on a sticky Summer night. Perfectly brewed iced tea, a good, really engrossing book, a song that gets your foot tapping in spite of yourself. Life can be so sweet when we take the time to be thankful for those small things that all alone, never seem to amount to much. Yet, when we put  them all together, oh what magic they can perform in our lives.

At Thanksgiving, and every day, I am filled with gratitude for those things that lift my spirits, sustain me and lighten my heart...my husband, my children, my brother, sister in law and nephew. My Mom and the memories of my father and my mother & father in law. Our precious friends who truly are family to us. The family pets...Kipper, Lucy, Henry, Abby and Casey.

Our cozy home, Rabbit Run Cottage, and the dear neighbors who surround us. These are my most precious blessings...well those and my collection of Brian Dennehy movies but that goes without saying right?

I am also so very thankful to have each and every one of you, my dear blogging friends, in my life. You bring me joy, laughter, inspiration, support and love. Each of you owns a piece of my heart...now and forever. Happy Thanksgiving...may God bless you and all those you love.
 
Love and Hugs,
Susie Q

16 comments:

Kathleen Grace said...

We have so much to be grateful for, one day devoted to remembering that doesn't seem like enough. Great post Sue. I hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful:>)

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Wonderful post. We all have so much to be gratful for and we should show other often how much we appreciate them. Have a super day. Hugs, Marty

Lisa said...

Oh I have a Casey too! I am always thankful for them and my family!
Hugs, Lisa

Salmagundi said...

Thank YOU for the reminder - one that we need to remember throughout the year. I really have to interrupt my December madness to be thankful for the little things; and to remember why we celebrate Christmas. Have a great weekend. Sally

SmilingSally said...

And, I'm thankful for you, Susie.

Justabeachkat said...

Well said sweet friend!

I'm thankful for YOU.

Hugs!
Kat

Blondie's Journal said...

This was so well written and beautiful and I totally agree with you that Thanksgiving should be in our hearts everyday.

I have kept a gratitude journal, not perfectly, but just a small journal to write in each night to list the things I am grateful for that happened that day. It is surprising to see even the smallest moment that we later reflect on as being something we are thankful and grateful for. I recommend such a journal to everyone. And it doesn't have to be perfect., Just little acknowledgments when we want to note them.

Have a wonderful evening, Susie!

xoxo
Jane

Holly Campbell said...

Yes, it is important to give thanks. Thank you for your inspiring posts, and beautiful photographs that you share with us! Have a wonderful day!

Edie Marie's Attic said...

Hi Susie!

I'm so thankful also! We are so blessed in so many ways.

Big hugs, Sherry

Neabear said...

Sorry I have been behind in visiting everyone lately. I do want to thank you for visiting me today. Noticed the picture of Grace with the violin. That is wonderful that she is learning music. I played my flute in school when I was growing up.

Have a good week.

~Linnea

Gretchen said...

I don't visit as often as I'd like, but I'm so grateful for you, Suz. Thank you for your steadfast bloggy friendship. If you ever want to give up living in the midwest, I'll go house hunting with you in Seattle. :) xxxooo

Mom2fur said...

Great advice! Among other things, I'm grateful for 29 years of marriage to the most awesome guy on earth. (Well, that's MHO!)
I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Pamela said...

beautiful post Q.

Meggie said...

I'm with you, sweet Sue! I LOVE Thanksgiving and refuse to rush thru it even though I joyfully anticipate Christmas. I want to savor every last minute of Thanksgiving....reminding myself constantly of all that I have for which to be grateful. December is plenty of time to think about Christmas.

Anonymous said...

Good evening, Susie Qness! It's so nice to hear from you! Did I tell you I'm thankful for you, most Dear One! :)
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Lady Prism said...

Inspiring!