Monday, March 16, 2009

Gratitude




Happy Monday, y'all! I like to focus on the positive things in life, so I thought I'd post some of our Year of Gratitude (YOG) blog entries here on Mondays as reminders of what life's really all about. Hope you enjoy.

Happiness, joy and gratitude really are states of mind. And like all states we wrap around ourselves to enjoy (whether positive or negative), they are sometimes hard to shed once we get comfortable with them.

Today, I choose to cloak myself in light and good things, even if I'm tempted to long for the heavy gray shroud of oh-woe-is-me. It's simply a matter of my own choosing and the perspective upon which I want to focus. Even when the inevitable poop hits the fan.

To help me in this pursuit, I keep a few uplifting quotes nearby to browse. Here's what a few famous folks said on the subject :

  • "If you want to be happy, be." ~Leo Tolstoy
  • "Happiness is never stopping to think if you are." ~ Palmer Sondreal
  • "Most people would rather be certain they're miserable, than risk being happy." ~ Robert Anthony
  • "The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up."~ Mark Twain
  • "Nobody really cares if you're miserable, so you might as well be happy." ~ Cynthia Nelms

What about you? Any good words, mantras, quotes or sayings you know to keep yourself in the happiness zone?

Last thing for today -- THANK YOU for continuing to vote for my blog over at bloginterviewer.com. I think we're doing great in the top 5, and didn't get to start racking up votes on the first of the month! {If you hit the site again, you can also vote for Suldog and Michelle/Surly Writer while there.}

21 comments:

Terri Tiffany said...

A wonderful way to start the week! I love the last quote--:)))

Donna M. Kohlstrom said...

My favorite is "Stop and smell the roses." How often I fly down the path of life and not see the blessings along the way. I'm learning to take it slow, notice every word, sight, every feeling and relish in it. And I love roses...the colors, the smells and the sight of them just lifts my spirits!

Barb Davis said...

Come on over to The Serenity Gate and join the Optimism Club!

Anonymous said...

What a great post to start the week with. It's true that your mindset really directs you. :)

Anonymous said...

It's raining here in Alabammy as it has been for the past 3 days. Some people are whining about the lack of sunshine. I rejoice for the rain. It's all in how you chose to look at it. Happy Monday. And by the way, I love the last quote.

Unknown said...

Wonderful ... I loved the Year of Gratitude site so it'll be nice to read those posts here! :)

A phrase that we use around my house (often) is a zen quote (not sure who said it). It's simply: "Get out of the way of the tiger." It helps us to realize that some people just do what they do ... and we need to get out of their way to stay happy. :)

Take Care!

Small Footprints
http://reducefootprints.blogspot.com

Melissa Amateis said...

Great reminder for me at this point in my life. Thanks, Angie. :-)

Anonymous said...

Perfect for a Monday! hugs!

Anita said...

Thanks for this wonderful post! I feel that I have so much to be grateful for right now and even though I do sometimes get those little pangs of depression and whoa-is-me, I do my best to push them off and look on the brighter things of life. Life is indeed far to short to spend it being miserable all the time.

Jinksy said...

"Well," said Pooh, "what I like best," and then he had to stop and think. Because although Eating Honey was a very good thing to do, there was a moment just before you began to eat it which was better than when you were, but he didn't know what it was called. ~A.A. Milne

Angie Ledbetter said...

Thanks, Terri.

Donna, we should all slow down whenever possible, otherwise life's just one long blur. :)

Will do, Barbara.

Amen, blueviolet.

Ang, been raining here for 3 or 4 days too, but the grass, plants, flowers and critters need it. :)

Thanks so much, Small.

Melissa, you're welcome. Was reminding Self most of all.

kimmi & Literary, glad ya enjoyed.

I love that, Jinksy! Thanks.

Anonymous said...

A perfect Monday read when everything always feels fresh and new to me. Mondays are happy days, and I like the whole philosophy of stretching it out!
BTW Thanks for your kind words to my Portrait of Words!

Deb Shucka said...

Perfect words and inspiration for a tired Monday too full of no fun. Thank you, as always, for lifting my spirits with your words.

Lynnette Labelle said...

We could all use a little more positive in our lives, especially on Mondays! Sanks.

Lynnette Labelle
http://lynnettelabelle.blogspot.com

Debbie said...

When one of my kids has been in a funk that seems to last and last, I always tell them that every day they get to make the choice of being happy or being sad. As for me, I'm going with happy.

Midlife Roadtripper said...

Although cliche, I like to remember that every day is an adventure along our journey.

Nice post to begin the week. Gratitude. Perfect word.

Angie Ledbetter said...

The Things We Carried, love your attitude.

Deb, hope the whole week shines for you!

Amen, LL.

Debbie, I tell mine, "You can get happy in the same drawers you got sad/mad in." LOL

Midlife, you're right, and thanks!

colbymarshall said...

Lovely..."you're never full dressed without a smile" -annie.

Jenni James said...

ACK! Colby took mine! Then I guess I'll say, "Smile, Darn ya, SMILE!" From the same movie.. but oh well! LOL!

Also, i'm a huge lover of the phrase; everything happens for a reason... that one just works for me and helps me step back adn enjoy what's happening instead of being swallowed by it. jenni

Jessica Nelson said...

I kinda like bible verses. Like "in everything give thanks". I think being thankful has a large part in being happy/content. It's cool that you have a blog dedicated to that.

Hilary said...

Good, positive post. You chased a grumble away.. thanks :)

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