Grateful for Memories

Mostly what I'm grateful for today is that I have options. I can choose to muddle in all that I don't have, or realize that I have a plethora of opportunities available to me.

I am grateful for leftovers. Now my husband isn't crazy about them, but for me, there's nothing better than dinner for breakfast. I can make turkey soup, turkey enchiladas and even heat up the remaining turkey like carnitas. Ham is especially great for split pea soup, casseroles and baked macaroni and cheese.

I am grateful for quiet mornings. This is the perfect time to reflect on all that I have. I can set up my to-do list and get a head start on everything I want to accomplish.

I am grateful for walking. When I go outside and start up a hill, my physiology changes, I become more aware of my breathing, I start appreciating everything that is around me. I enjoy the vibrant colors of the hills that surround me, the songs of the birds, the rush of a stream, and the hawks that circle overhead.

I am grateful when I have made a difference. It means so much to me when I hear from so many of you and you share with me all that is going on in your lives. I'm glad that my gratitude list helps and gives you more awareness about your own possibilities.

I am grateful to have hot water, a working washing machine and clean clothes.

I am grateful for family and friends who support me and hold me accountable. This is a very important piece of advice, when you're trying to create a change within, share your goals so others understand your commitment and can hold you responsible for your actions. Are you your word? Do you have integrity?

I am grateful for the training I have received in life strategy skills as a personal coach. I am now able to create many of my own transformations and see the pain of staying the same and the pleasure I can have by making a conscious effort.

I am grateful to have adult children. These are relationships that I'm always working on and am so happy with the progress we've made. I must lead by example!

I am grateful that with all the sugar I've been eating throughout the holidays that I haven't gained any weight. I am throwing everything away today. I must concentrate on intentional eating.

I am grateful for all the ways we have of capturing memories. I can take pictures and video from my phone, my camera and my camcorder. I love looking back through all those photo albums and reflect back on all that I have been blessed with.

This was forwarded to me this morning and thought it perfect to share:

A 92-year-old, small, well-poised and proud man, who is fully dressed each morning by eight o'clock, with his hair fashionably combed and shaved perfectly, even though he is legally blind, moved to a nursing home today.

His wife of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary. After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, he smiled sweetly when told his room was ready.

As he maneuvered his walker to the elevator, I provided a visual description of his tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been hung on his window.
I love it,' he stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy.

Mr. Jones, you haven't seen the room; just wait.'

'That doesn't have anything to do with it,' he replied.
Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not doesn't depend on how the furniture is arranged...it's how I arrange my mind. I already decided to love it.

'It's a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice;
I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do..
Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open, I'll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I've stored away.. Just for this time in my life.

Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw from what you've put in.
So, my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank account of memories! Thank you for your part in filling my Memory Bank. I am still depositing.

'Remember the five simple rules to be happy:

1. Free your heart from hatred.
2. Free your mind from worries.
3. Live simply.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less.