November 2012 - Gratitude

Resources (links, books, articles, the lighter side)

Gratitude

As we write this from sunny Southern California on October 30, 2012, we are seeing the extensive devastation on the East Coast and Northeast United States from the super-storm hurricane Sandy. Our heart and prayers are with all of those so deeply affected. We have many family members and friends in the path of the current storm.

Growing up in Pennsylvania, Washington DC and Maryland, we have personally experienced severe hurricanes and tropical storms, so know how difficult it can be when caught by situations out of our control.

We are so very grateful for all of the public organizations that our society has put in place to assist in times of need: police and fire departments, local emergency operations, state emergency operations, national organizations like FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) and the National Guard.

Utility companies all have emergency plans for helping get through any disaster and many dedicated employees who are willing to put their own personal needs aside to help their community.

Non-profit organizations like the Red Cross assist in a major way to help with supplies and care before, during and after a disaster.

The news media provides information to help people prepare for a disaster when weather forecasts are available as they were for this current storm. The media helps to spread the word about dangers to avoid, where help is needed and where local resources are for assistance.

Individual organizations like churches, schools, community groups, hospitals, grocery stores, restaurants and other retail stores all assist in various ways to help the local community prepare for a natural disaster when possible, and to assist in clean-up and recovery. And, so many others who step forward without being asked.

Natural disasters bring out the best in people. Times of crisis and disasters remind us that we all need each other in order to survive on this planet we call Earth. Neighbors helping neighbors continue to demonstrate the fact that human beings cannot survive alone.

Our current election season for President and other public officials has divided our country into "reds" and "blues" — a division that seems to grow more rancorous every political season. A disaster erases all of those divisions until we simply become neighbors helping neighbors — people helping people — human beings helping other human beings — regardless of political affiliation or beliefs. That is as it should be.

Someone recently posted a quote by Thomas Jefferson on Facebook that is a reminder to keep a balanced perspective on our differences of opinion:

I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as a cause for withdrawing from a friend. ... Thomas Jefferson

For all those affected by Hurricane Sandy, we send our prayers for safety and speedy recovery.

Focusing on Gratitude can change your life. It is a simple formula. No matter how dire a situation appears to be, being grateful for whatever good — large or small — is in your life makes life so much easier and joyful. Whatever we focus on, expands. If we focus on negativity and hardship, we see more negativity and hardship in our life. When we focus on gratitude, we see more to be grateful for. It is a truly simple formula.

It is our sincere wish this month — when we celebrate Thanksgiving and Gratitude — that the powerful gifts of people helping people are remembered more than any of our differences. And that every single day, Gratitude fills your heart and mind more than any other feeling or thought.

Internet Resources

American Red Cross - donations for disaster relief http://www.redcross.org/charitable-donations
How Gratitude can change your life http://www.thechangeblog.com/gratitude/
Gratitude http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/practices/practices.php?id=11
Gratitude http://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/gratitude
Gratitude video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nj2ofrX7jAk
Gratitude video http://www.gogratitude.com/

Books - Disclosure: We get a small commission for purchases made via links to Amazon.

Wishes Fulfilled: Mastering the Art of Manifesting. Wayne Dyer. Hay House, 2012. ISBN-13: 978-1401937270 www.drwaynedyer.com
Simple Abundance Journal of Gratitude. Sarah Ban Breathnach. Grand Central Publishing, 1996. ISBN-13: 978-0446521062
A Simple Act of Gratitude: How Learning to Say Thank You Changed My Life. John Kralik. Hyperion, 2011. ISBN-13: 978-1401310714
Choosing Gratitude: Your Journey to Joy. Nancy Leigh DeMoss. Moody Publishers, 2011. ISBN-13: 978-0802432551
The Secret Gratitude Book. Rhonda Byrne. Atria Books, 2007. ISBN-13: 978-1582702087
Living in Gratitude: A Journey That Will Change Your Life. Angeles Arrien. Sounds True, 2011. ISBN-13: 978-1604070828
Income Without a Job: Living Well Without a Paycheck. Michael Jay Anthony, Barbara J. Taylor. Lulu.com, 2008 ISBN-13: 978-0-557-00377-8. Website: www.income-without-a-job.com. Tap into your own creativity and use your full potential. Learn how to see opportunities that others miss.

Articles

The Lighter Side

Develop an attitude of gratitude and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation. ... Brian Tracy

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. ... Melody Beattie

Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world. ... John Milton

Gratitude is a sacred space where you allow and know that a force greater than your ego is always at work and always available. ...
Dr. Wayne Dyer

Gratitude helps you to grow and expand; gratitude brings joy and laughter into your life and into the lives of all those around you. ... Eileen Caddy

"Thank you" is the best prayer that anyone could say. I say that one a lot. "Thank you" expresses extreme gratitude, humility, understanding. ... Alice Walker

For each new morning with its light, For rest and shelter of the night, For health and food, for love and friends, For everything Thy goodness sends. ... Ralph Waldo Emerson

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. ... John F. Kennedy

Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough. ... Oprah Winfrey

If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "Thank you," that would suffice. ... Meister Eckhart

About our resource links: We do not endorse or agree with all the beliefs in these links. We do keep an open mind about different viewpoints and respect the ability of our readers to decide for themselves what is useful.

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