Red Clover

I'm working on a new set of goals.  I've been overwhelmed with my life for the past month or so to the point of just sitting around doing nothin'.  Then I'm depressed about doing nothin' which them makes me not want to anythin'. It's a vicious cycle.

I'm reading a book called the "Happiness Project".  Yup, similar to the Gratitude Project here. :)

Anyway...I'm not going to go into the book other than to say that the author wanted to create a happier life for herself.  Appreciating her life and family more.

Spinning off from her ideas I've decided that I'm just going to set three little goals to accomplish every day.  The same goals, so as not to get too confusing.

1. Make my bed
2. Read with Joey
3. Walk the Loop*

*The Loop is my name for the 1/2 mile paved circle of an medical complex that hasn't been built yet.  All I have to walk is one time around the Loop.  If I want to do more, that's fine too.

I've been 100% the last five days. (I just set the goal on Sunday)  I'm finding that I'm having more of a desire to get other tasks accomplished as well.  I'm finding my desire to create to be springing up again also.

Today I didn't really want to walk the Loop but it's a simple thing.  Before I left, I asked the Lord with a simple prayer in my heart if He would should me something unique on my walk. (The Loop is starting to get boring)

I set off on the Loop and I hadn't walked a 1/4 of it before I noticed some red clover on the side of the road.  I've been searching for some red clover flowers to collect and make into a tincture.  All the red clover I've been seeing has been on the sides of roads where there are too much car fumes coating the flowers.  These flowers on the Loop we untainted and perfect.  There were only about five or six I was able to collect but there are many plants starting to bloom and soon I'll have enough to make a tincture.

How kind was my dear Father in Heaven to show me exactly for what I've been looking for a couple of months now.  I look forward to my walks because I know I'll be able to collect more flowers.

I'm grateful for a loving Heavenly Father that was so kind and thoughtful and specific.

A few weeks ago, the kids and I were headed up north of Philly to pick up our 1/4 side beef. One mile from my house is a bunch of construction going on--something to do with the Turnpike.  I knew there was construction and I didn't think I was going that fast....but a policeman thought I was.

It's a 35mph zone during construction.  I was doing 54mph.  I was shocked and angry when I was pulled over.  I was amazed and dumbfounded...nearly speechless.  I really couldn't believe it.  The officer was very nice to me but kept interrupting my efforts to talk.  I got frustrated with him.  Quite angry actually.  He really made me made because I felt he was patronizing me. 

He took my license and registration and went back to his car.  I had a bit of time to calm down and realize my fault in the matter.  The kids were trying to take my side, but ultimately, if I was speeding....I was speeding.  My fault.

The officer came back.  I apologized for being a snot.  I cried.  I cried a lot.  I felt like a dumb woman.  But, I was truly sorry for being snotty to him.  He told me he wasn't going to charge me with anything.  At which point I cried harder.  He also warned me that in a construction zone the fines and points are doubled.  It would've been $300 and 8 points on my license.  I was just so grateful.  

As I pulled away, I couldn't stop crying and offering my gratitude to the Lord.  I learned at that moment how God uses others to do His work.  I feel strongly that because that police officer was a good man and trying to do his job with diligence that the Lord softened his heart towards me.  I believe that with all my heart.

I cried a lot as I thought of it.  We can be merciful to others and do God's will.  I deserved a ticket and all those dang points.  BUT!!!! - that officer chose to be merciful to me.  Isn't that a wonderful lesson?  Justice demanded that I receive a punishment.....the officer had the authority to use his judgement and allow me to "go free".  

What a wonderful lesson on the Atonement I received that Thursday morning.  I taught it to the children as we drove also.  I've reflected it on it ever since.  

I'm so thankful for the increase of gratitude I have been blessed with recently.

Thank You Notes

I've been sending out snail-mail thank you notes for two weeks now.  My intention was to generate more gratitude in my own life.  It's working.

Out of the 15 that I've written, I've heard back from about four people.  How kind of them for their efforts to acknowledge my gratitude.

I wrote a note to my Aunt Fay. I love her so much.  I received a note from her yesterday that was so kind and thoughtful.  I think she out did me on love-expressed. I'm so grateful for her.

I wrote a note to Donietta Quillon (who is Aunt Fay's sister-in-law).  I thanked her for teaching me how to fold fitted sheets when I was a young girl.  I heard back from her daughter who expressed how much her mom cherished that note.  That was so nice of Alice to take the time to express her gratitude to me.

I find that my few moments with a pen and a notecard are quickly becoming such a delightful part of my day.  I find that I'm constantly adding people to my "thank you" list which is wonderful.  I can't really express in words yet how I'm feeling about this.  As I write just a few sweet words to one person, I can almost imagine the smile that appears on their face for being thought of and how their heart much lift, even if just for a few seconds, that someone appreciated something about them.

I don't say any of this to boast or promote myself.  In fact, I have tears falling down my face in humility as I type.  I'm grateful to fan the flame of joy and gratitude in a world that is full of selfishness and pride. These little teeny tiny cards are carrying the spirit of Christ with them.  Hope and love.  I'm thankful to me His servant and do what I can to strengthen their faith in Him.

I'm just so thankful.  I'm thankful for such good parents that taught me how to express gratitude.  I'm thankful to my sisters Holly and Sandy for being such good examples for sending thank you cards for everything.  They've all helped me to develop this new habit.

It's all good. :)

New Quest

I'm taking gratitude up a notch.  I'm concerned because I struggle with discipline and follow-through.  I'm hoping that like anything, once it's a habit it stays that way.

My goal is to send a thank you note a day.

Right now I'm in the process of creating a list of people that need a thank you note from me.  I'm writing down the name and the reason for my gratitude.  It's quite amazing actually how names are popping into my head and reasons for which I'm grateful to that person.  It's kinda cool actually.  And, party invitations, I don't have to eliminate anyone from my list.  It's a great feeling.

I don't know what to expect from this new quest.  At the very least I'll brighten someone's day.  I'm hoping that I'll receive more gratitude by expressing it in a "go the second mile" kinda way.

I'll let you know how it goes.  You may even get a note from me.

I'm thankful

I wanted to jot down a couple of thoughts of gratitude.

Luckily I re-read what I wrote about last Christmas.  How harried I was and that I vowed to have my shopping done by November 30.  I did it!  I'm so thankful I wrote that on this blog.  It's been so much better.  My attitude for Christmas has been so much more peaceful.

Next, year I need to have all the shopping AND the wrapping done by November 30.  I also need to write a list of everything I got the kids/family/friends, so I don't rack my brain constantly wondering if I got them equal stuff.

Last night I was literally up all night coughing.  I took plenty of cough medicine but nothing helped.  I got pretty upset that I couldn't rest.  But, then my gratitude attitude kicked in.  That's was so great!

I was grateful for:
-the fact I was in a nice warm home
-the fact that I could rest in a nice warm and soft bed
-indoor plumbing
-I had medicine
-I wasn't so bad that I had to be hospitalized

Things like that.  I had other thoughts that escape me now, but I'm so glad I was able to be thankful even in a time that wasn't so pleasant.  PERHAPS, I'm maturing.  Don't tell my parents.

Piano

I've been needing to write this down for a couple of weeks now.

Before we moved, I gave away our old piano that was actually Sam's dad's (Pop).  It was really old and not in very good shape at all and taking up a lot of room in the old house that I could use for packed boxes.

I've been looking for a replacement piano ever since but just didn't really pursue it.  I'd check Craigslist on a regular basis but that was about it.

I joined the Stake Choir for the community Christmas event and at the first rehearsal, I felt so impressed by the Spirit that I needed to get a piano as soon as possible.  It was an urgent feeling.  So, I started a new more earnest search.

I had seen an ad for a Kohler and Campbell piano on Craigslist for a month or so.  The price was out of my range which was about $500 or so.  This was listed at $1500.  Then I saw it start to come down in price.  She put it back up for $1200.  Hmmm....I may be able to twist Sam's arm but that's a lot of money.  I contacted her and planned to go play it.  But, the schedule didn't work out and I never got over there.  The Wednesday after choir practice I saw that she had reduced the price to $800.  I called immediately and arranged to go play it the next day.  The seller's house was literally about a mile from my new house.  The piano was only six years old and in perfect condition but was out of tune.  I played it a bit and then asked the seller's mother (who had let me in) if she knew the last time the piano was tuned.  She called her daughter (Ebony) and I was able to talk with her.  I told her the piano was quite out of tune and sounded tinny.  I learned from Wendy McNiven that it's best to play a piano regularly for it to keep it's tuning.  This piano hadn't been touched in years.

I asked Ebony what the lowest offer she'd take on it.  She thought for a moment and said $600.  I was tickled with that but asked if she could do $500.  No, $600 was the best.  Fine by me!  I ran home and called Sam.  Checked with Wendy McNiven and even called a piano dealership out in Salt Lake City.  The dealer told me that the piano, if traded in, would fetch me a $1000.  I was sold.

Sam made all the arrangements to move the piano.  I'm so grateful for him.  He rented a little trailer from Uhaul and Jim D'Amico and Scott Nesbit helped move it.  Pianos are so dang heavy.  It's beautiful.

I'm so grateful to God for blessing me with it.  I know He did it for me.  I know it.  The Holy Spirit confirmed it to me.  What a wonderful Father we have that would pay attention to such insignificant wants as to arrange it all.  We just have to pay attention for the opportunities He gives us and the answers to our prayers.

I can't express my gratitude enough.  I never will be.  Not just about this but everything else.  I need more gratitude.  Mo' please.

Gratitude Month

I made it to November.  I love the Thanksgiving holiday.  I think I've finally settled down to this being my favorite holiday.  I love to celebrate the holiday the whole month of November.  I try to celebrate it the whole year.

While I was praying this morning, I was saying to the Lord that I wanted Him to be thankful for me.  I quickly admitted that He was perfectly awesome at being thankful but that I wanted His gratitude to go deeper because of my gratitude towards Him.  I came to the conclusion that I wanted Him to trust me because of the gratitude I regularly offer to Him.

So, I'm pondering that for a while.  When we receive gratitude from others, it's natural to want to give them more of us.  Whether in the form of confidence or gifts, we trust them with more of who we are.  And as they continue to prove their loyalty?, not sure if that's the right word, we trust them with more.  I'm working this out a bit here.

When my children are heartfelt in their expressions of gratitude, I am filled with love and trust them more.  I give them more.  On the other hand, when they're whiney and ungrateful, I pull back and don't want to give them much at all.  And I'm talking about stuff like the extras....ipods, friends over, staying up later...that type of thing.

Gratitude, as stated by President Monson last year, is the parent of all the other virtues.  I can see how being grateful really generates more of all the good feelings (virtues), which allows me to be happier and much more content.  Gratitude keeps away the fears that plague us.  Gratitude helps me want to be of service to others and step outside my comfort zone.

Gratitude is good. I pray for more of it.  President Monson said that as we practice it more and more, it will eventually be a way of life for us.  I'm hoping I get there sooner than later.

I do have to thank my parents again for teaching me the basics of gratitude.  Without their guidance and example, I would be starting off at a different point entirely.  I hope to be able to do the same for my children.