It's the month of Thanksgiving here in the USA.  A trend for several years on Facebook has been to post a thankful every day of the month.  A few years ago I participated in that and it was interesting to see how my tendencies to post a status that wasn't so thankful sounding were squelched in light of giving thanks. It feels a little like a mystery to me, this gratitude attitude truly impacting my thoughts, emotions, words, my behavior even.  And it isn't conscious. In fact some days I have to sit and really think about what I was grateful for. But when it comes to me I immediately recognize that, yes, I am grateful for that thing or that person on that day.  And it changed my interactions that day without me being fully aware of it. Gratitude truly does color my attitude.  And yours too when you allow it.  Have you been participating in having a gratitude attitude? If so, I'd love to hear how it's changed your perspectives on your days, your relationship...

I don't remember who said this, but there really are places in the heart you don't even know exist until you love a child.   Anne Lamott Motherhood has been one of the biggest surprises in my life.  It may even trump the surprises of marriage.  Every year I say it has been the hardest or most challenging or most scary or most unnerving.   Every year I say that!  In the midst of mothering I lose sight of the rewards, a lot of days there doesn't feel like there are many.  Perhaps there aren't.  Perhaps the rewards are when the children are grown and out of the house and you have your distance from mothering them so intently and you can see what and who they have become, some as a direct result of your mothering.  Every so often I am reminded of the rewards in the here and now.  When I get an unexpected hug or kiss, when I get an understanding look on the days I am in tears for inexplicable reasons, when some stranger to our family...

Joy is the best makeup. Anne Lamott What's that glow?  It's called Joy.  No amount of makeup applied can compete with Joy.  When it comes to women, their makeup can be flawless and beautiful but if they don't have Joy then they look dull and uninspiring.  When it comes to men, their face can be clean shaven - or groomed well - and they can smell good but if they don't have Joy then they are dull and uninspiring.  Joy is for both genders, it does not apply to just one.  Joy transcends the surface of our lives and comes from deep within to bring a glow to our lives.  It is the best accessory, the best makeup, the best practice anyone can incorporate into their lives.  Where does Joy comes from?  How do you find Joy?  It is allowing your days, your very life, to be touched by the simple and small things that come from gratitude.   Being grateful is the beginning of Joy.    It's allowing hard circumstances to be met with so...