Complaining or Appreciating???

Sometimes we just wanna bitch about it, don't we? I know I certainly do. All the issues that are stopping us, limiting us, preventing us from accomplishing our objectives. Like my financial reasons and maybe your relationship issues. Or both... The point is, we get so focused on the negative brick wall of despair that we just continue to pummel ourselves against it.

Yesterday you might have noticed that I didn't send out a gratitude list. That doesn't mean that I didn't have moments of appreciation throughout my day. But, that's not what I was concentrating on. I was in a dark place called despair. This snowballed to another spot I hang out in called pain. I traveled between those two spots all day.

Today is a new day. I can decide what emotions I want to concentrate on and how I will conduct my day. Most of you probably think I'm always this up, happy, do it anyway, type of courageous person. I am when I step into that role. I fake it, until I become it. That's why keeping up the gratitude list is so important. I encourage you to do the same.

What I am grateful for today:

I am grateful for the rain. The symphony this creates outside my window is like a lullaby. Percussion, strings, even the solo of the flute is captured by my wind chimes.

I am grateful for a husband who sees my tears and knows to hold me tight. He also knows that rolled tacos from Poncho's helps...

I am grateful for the family who didn't listen to me when I said, "No presents this year, we can't reciprocate". I opened two boxes of wrapped gifts yesterday and felt so loved.

I am grateful for appliances that I have always taken for granted. I've got the dishwasher running, the washing machine cleaning and the clothes dryer spinning. What would my hands look like without these modern day conveniences? What about the time I save because of them? Do you remember days of clothes lines and dishwater hands? I do.

I am grateful that my headache is going away. I just noticed it. Amazing how much lighter I feel without that vice gripping my scalp.

I am grateful for dogs that bark. Not always, of course, like when I'm concentrating on something else and their clamor makes me jump and my heart race. They are watchful and protective. This is their turf and all that they see. Their racket is my built in security.

I am grateful to be so self-aware. I know enough to have the power to change my thoughts and take action, even when I don't want to.

I am grateful for you. I have made a commitment which helps me shift my thinking and gives me the ability to encourage others.

I am grateful for every U.S. soldier that has sworn under oath to protect me. Who would I be without their loyalty and bravery? What would my world be like? I don't have to know that answer. I am fortunate to an American!

I am grateful to those of you that are writing to our military and letting them know how appreciative you are. We may be worried about paying the rent or mortgage, overdue credit card bills or how we're going to celebrate Christmas, but our anxiety doesn't mirror trying to stay alive in a hostile environment.

Please write to a soldier and express your gratitude for your safety and the peace of our country. You can find a soldier at www.anysoldier.com and start sharing your thoughts today!

This was sent to me this morning and I thought it was perfect to include.

THE MUSIC STOPPED

For those who are unaware: At all military base theaters, the National Anthem is played before the movie begins.

This was written by a Chaplain in Iraq:

I recently attended a showing of 'Superman 3' here at LSA Anaconda (LSA Anaconda is at the Ballad Airport in Iraq, north of Baghdad). We have a large auditorium we use for movies, as well as memorial services and other large gatherings. As is the custom at all military bases, we stood to attention when the National Anthem began before the main feature. All was going well until three-quarters of the way through The National Anthem, the music stopped.

Now, what would happen if this occurred with 1,000 18-22 year-olds back in the States? I imagine there would be hoots, catcalls, laughter, a few rude comments, and everyone would sit down and yell for the movie to begin. Of course, that is, if they had stood for the National Anthem in the first place.

Here in Iraq, 1,000 Soldiers continued to stand at attention, eyes fixed forward. The music started again and the Soldiers continued to quietly stand at attention. But again, at the same point, the music stopped. What would you expect 1,000 Soldiers standing at attention to do?? Frankly, I expected some laughter, and everyone would eventually sit down and wait for the movie to start.

But no. You could have heard a pin drop while every Soldier continued to stand at attention. Suddenly, there was a lone voice from the front of the auditorium, then a dozen voices, and soon the room was filled with the voices of a thousand soldiers finishing where the recording left off: "And the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. Oh, say does that Star Spangled Banner yet wave, o'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave."

It was the most inspiring moment I have had in Iraq and I want you to know what kind of Soldiers are serving you. Remember them as they fight for us!

Pass this along as a reminder to others to be ever in prayer for all our soldiers serving us here at home and abroad. Many have already paid the ultimate price.