GRATITUDE is Everywhere - even Behind the Smokescreen

So much can be learned in our lives, if we only keep our eyes, ears and hearts open - - - - open up to the amazing world we live in - open up to the love of the wonderful people in this world.

Education and knowledge is acquired from many various sources, if we remain focused and in touch with the possibilites.

I've learned a lot in 63 years (geeez, hope so, huh).
One thing I've learned is to grasp all the facts, listen to all the sources ................

BUT ...............
make my own decisions.

No one else walks in my shoes, except me.

Others have good intentions, with a desire for us to be safe, maybe wanting us to make better choices than they have done.  However, the ultimate decision must come from within my heart and soul.

 Right or wrong - doesn't matter - it's my own personal choice, and is the one that is best for me at that moment.  If consequences arise from my actions, then I must accept that.  Often, the result can be powerful positivity.  (That's when I may pat myself on the back, and say 'good job', Ginny.)

We may give others advice, in hopes they will do what we are saying is best.  But, again, it's NOT up to us to influence others.  Okay, advice can be helpful at times, so share it from your heart with love.  Then take a step back to allow the other person space and the freedom necessary to determine what is best for them.



All that being said, I recently made a decision for myself, taking facts into consideration, as well as my own personal desire at the moment.

Over the years, others have attempted to influence me to change my thoughts and desires to theirs, and to do what they believe is best for me. 

However, it wasn't until the final choice became personally mine that it was right for me.


So, what am I trying to say? 
Here's my personal story ................

("My Personal" story, which means this is NOT a lecture or advice to you or to anyone.  It's simply MY story.  Regardless of what you do, I respect your choices, because they are YOURS, for YOU.  -  This is mine alone.) 

In the early 1960's, when I was 15 years old, I smoked my first cigarette.  I actually liked it!  Of course, it helped that, in those days, smoking was fashionable and something that all the "cool" people did.  Smoking was perceived as glamorous ..... 

Not only did doctors smoke right in their offices, along with their patients; but doctors actually encouraged smoking!
(Hard to believe, now, 50 years later; but it's true.)

Picture it - - after your medical exam, sitting in your doctor's office for consultation,

the doctor leaning over his desk, on which there was a big ashtray - (sorry gross, I know),

 to light your cigarette!

 

 Seriously, this is how it was.  I know, because I lived it!

 Not only was it socially accepted, it was also encouraged.  There were NO health warnings - nothing to educate us about any risks or consequences, as this was unknown then.

By the time the warnings surfaced, the nicotine addiction had taken a strong hold on my life. 

I didn't care.  I wasn't scared.  Nothing worried me.  Up until about a week ago, I was convinced that smoking would not harm me.  I had my Father's genetics.  He smoked for about 74 years, without any issues. 

Me, now at 63 years old, still had smooth skin with very few wrinkles - even after 48 years of smoking - even after excessive suntanning in my earlier years (from about 14 til my forties).  

I had been in  excellent health for most of my life.  The new problems that arrived with aging, didn't seem to have any relation to my smoking.


I smoked during both my pregnancies, and in the house and in the car, when my boys were babies, even while holding them and feeding them.  

Like this ................

(Now, this disgusts me, to think of how ignorant this was.) 

I'm ever so grateful that my irresponsible actions did not harm my children.  (It could have been disastrous.)
Both of my sons have been (and are) in good health.

GRATITUDE !

I thoroughly enjoyed smoking, and was not going to consider quitting.  I had made the attempt a couple times before, but decided it was something I liked and would continue to do.

Sure, doctors would tell me that I 'should' quit smoking.  My dentist said the same.  Ex-smokers (often the worst) tried to tell me to quit.  People tried scare tactics, but nothing phased me.  I'm stubborn.  I refused to succomb to the desires others had for me!  It's MY life.  (Do you hear me?  MINE)


About 12 years ago, after many years of smoking two and a half packs a day, I finally made a decision to stop smoking in my house.  Then about a year later, I chose to not smoke in my car.  Both of these decisions helped me to decrease my nicotine intake a lot - - and my house and car smelled refreshing for a change.


Why should I stop?  I've cut back tremendously.  I have no issues with breathing.  No chest pains.  I do have my Father's excellent genes.  And, recently had a chest x-ray, which showed my lungs in great condition.  And, it was bad enough that the government was dictating where and when I could smoke.  (How dare they!)

Nope, NO, not me - I'm gonna smoke forever.  I'll never quit.

HA - Never say never ..........  HA - we just don't know for sure what is around that next corner.
Sometimes we are fortunate enough to discover that next challenge around the corner, to be allowed a second chance.  But, sometimes, we are not quite so lucky.  I am so very GRATEFUL for being given a glance around that corner - and this time, without my rose-colored glasses on.


Suddenly, being diagnosed with DVT, it became apparent to me ............ my life had changed significantly in an instant.

Blood clots?  Seriously?  How is this possible? 

It IS possible.  It IS serious.

No one knows for sure what the cause was for me.  But, the facts are that my left leg is filled with blood clots; and is swollen and in lots of pain. 


When I was younger, taking birth control pills for years, while also smoking, I remember hearing that this "could be" a risk.  I chose to ignore it.  I was in great physical health.  No need to worry.

Twelve years ago, after having a Hysterectomy, I was advised again of potential risks from smoking while taking Hormone Replacement Therapy.  I chose to ignore the warnings.  Couldn't affect me - I was in good health -  especially after having the surgery - I felt great!

I'm tough.
I'm stubborn.
Nothing can get me.

Yeah, well, it might be good to have a positive attitude, but I was masking knowledge with ignorance.


Something else I've learned during my 63 years on this earth - we cannot go back into the past and change what's already been done. 

It is what it is.

Today is the first day of the rest of my life.
This one NOW moment is the first moment of the rest of my life.
Today's choices will help me take care of any tomorrow's, which I'll be blessed to have.


One thing that is inescapeable is Death. 
But, I'm not ready to leave, yet.  I still have projects to complete.  I still have family to love and share life with. 


 I still have my goal - my passion - my purpose ....
to spread GRATITUDE and APPRECIATION, with LOVE, to as many people as possible.
 

Won't you please help join me,

by changing the world -

one THANK YOU at a time ♥

One week ago, after about 8 hours of the Urgent Care process, the doctor looked into my eyes and said "You really should quit smoking."  I had heard that often during the past 40-plus years.  I've been smoking for 48 years.  This was the very first time ever, that those words rang loud and clear into my head. 
Was is the doctor who said it?  (He did have beautiful eyes - :) 
Was it because of the long hours that day in the Urgent Care process? 
Was it the excrutiating pain in my leg? 

Who knows?  It doesn't matter why or what?  What does matter is that I made a choice at that moment to attempt to get healthier, to be given a chance to live and enjoy life as long as possible.

While it's very true that this may have absolutely nothing to do with smoking or not, it doesn't matter.  What matters is that I made a powerful decision - one which I'd never imagined ever making.  I may be consistent and stick with my plan; but, there's also a possibility I may not.  It could be easy to fall back into my old addictive pattern.  At this point, it doesn't matter.

I'm taking one moment at a time.

I have not quit smoking entirely; but, I have cut back significantly.  (But, I really do NOT need to justify this to anyone.  REMEMBER - this is MY life and MY choice.  Dang!  I am stubborn, aren't I?) 
For the past week, I've smoked only 3 to 4 cigarettes a day.  A week ago, my average was a half pack a day, which is 10 cigarettes -  (sometimes a little more).  To a non-smoker that may seem to be still too many.  


But, I'm NOT doing this to impress anyone else. 
I'm NOT doing this for any recognition. 
I'm NOT doing this to be judged in any way by anyone else.  I'm simply doing it, and doing it only for ME.


And, here's an added BONUS - something that never made a difference to me (and still doesn't really); but it's becoming an incentive right now.
The CO$T.  When I first began smoking, a pack of cigarettes was twenty-five cents.  Now, if purchased by the carton (of ten packs - or 200 cigs), the cost is approximately $6.50 - $7.00 per pack.  It's possible to pay up to $10 per pack, or even more.  An expen$ive addiction, to say the least.  

Here's a good picture for this comparison.

 

If anyone reading this is a smoker, please understand this is NOT an attempt to get the rest of the world to quit smoking.  (We already have way too many control freaks already doing this!) 

This is simply MY personal story, which I just wanted to share.  Although the subject matter includes issues and facts about smoking, I'd also like to emphasize that this is about allowing each other the freedom to be exactly who they are, and be accepted exactly for that, without judgement, and without controlling behavior over others.

AND ...... as always, my blog posts are always always always about GRATITUDE ♥


My heart is forever filled with GRATITUDE .....
..... for doing whatever I'm doing right now
..... for living in this one NOW present moment
..... for being alive right NOW
..... for allowing others the freedom to be who they are
..... for all that my life includes right NOW

GRATEFULLY, with LOVE,

Ginny

Weeding the Garden of Life, with Gratitude

Weeding the Garden of Life with the Miraculous ATTITUDE of GRATITUDE

Our life is like a garden. It requires nurturing and love.

When you remove the weeds from your garden, the flowers become brighter, stronger and healthier.

When you remove toxicity from your life, you become brighter, stronger and healthier.

Have you ever noticed that when you have plants and flowers growing closer to each other, they look more beautiful and plentiful?

So it is too, when you allow others into your world of friendship, you become richer, too. Love and friendship grow with honesty, trust and appreciation.

Your garden needs nourishment and love, along with the sunshine and the rain. And, so do you.

Even if you try to remove all the weeds from your garden, they manage to sneak back in somehow. There must be a purpose for these weeds or God would not have planted them there. Just as weeds sometimes invade the flowers, our lives become tainted with sadness, frustration and difficult moments. Although we may not know what it is, just as there is a purpose for weeds in our garden, there is a purpose for the pain, sorrow, tribulations and misfortunes that invade our lives.


Years ago I discovered my first purpose for the hardships, problems and misery. I thought about it one day, at one of the darkest moments in my life. Suddenly I realized - how would I know the happiness, pleasure and joy, if I didn't have the troubles with which to compare it? That was my very first revelation. Although I didn't welcome the agony, troubles and misery into my life, I recognized they were there for a reason.


Then my real "AH-HA" moment came when I learned that those moments of difficulty must be welcomed and embraced. We must feel the pain in order to get through it and move on to something more rewarding.  We must have rain for the flowers to grow, just as we must have challenges to gain strength and to grow.

            

It was then I began to understand GRATITUDE. True actions of being thankful have helped me to transform my life and turn around the difficulties, allowing them to be a part of me for whatever time they are meant to be, and then moving forward with whatever crosses my life's path. It's almost impossible to be able to get through the challenging times without love and gratitude. Okay, maybe it's possible, but not probable. And, without acceptance and appreciation, it takes longer to work through the misery.


I've discovered that there is nothing in this life that is so devastating that we cannot find something for which to be grateful. It's contagious. The more you focus on your blessings, the more you will find. They are there. They are with you always, but sometimes you just need to recognize what they are.


When you choose to place emphasis on your hardships and suffering, you will give them power over you, and they will remain attached to your life. But, by diverting your concentration from your lack to the miracles and wonderment in your life, you give power and strength to the blessings that are already in your life.

Instead of using your thoughts to dream of what you desire and do not have, use your mind to be grateful for what is already there. By doing this, you will attract more into your life for which to be grateful. It's contagious, I tell you! It works!

Although it might require a little more focus to make it effective in dealing with the huge devastating issues, it easily manages the little nuisances we each face almost daily. You know those little nuisances - the little ant hills that we sometimes turn into overwhelming mountains, simply with the distortion in our minds. This is a great place to begin a journey in GRATITUDE.

As I said, it's contagious, so the more you are able to diffuse the ant hills, the easier it naturally becomes to place your attention on that for which you have to be grateful. And, this helps create a habit of being grateful for even those mountains that surface. They do have their purpose, even if you don't understand them.


Someone who doesn't know me might think that I value this way of life, because my life is already easy. But, for those who really know me, already know that is not true. My life has been filled with 60 years of struggles, sadness, depression and moments, which I wouldn't want my worst enemies to ever have to face. Okay, maybe that's an exaggeration. Not all 60 years have been filled with challenges, but there have been many.



Everyone has weeds in their garden of life. It's not about the weeds, but it's about how you choose to deal with them. I choose GRATITUDE. And, I hope you will, too.

written May 25th, 2008 G.G.

The Gift of Gratitude

The gift of gratitude is a life-changing miracle, and meant to be shared with as many as possible. Share it with those who cross your path.

Sharing GRATITUDE and helping others learn how to discover it is the purpose of my blog - it's the purpose of my life.

There are blessings in everyone's life, regardless of any difficulties you face. Even amongst the most severe adversities, blessings can be discovered. They are there - always - but sometimes hiding. All you must do is become aware and you will find GRATITUDE - I promise you that!

The more your mindfulness blossoms, your radar for finding GRATITUDE will strengthen. With a dash of committment and a sprinkle of effort, before you realize what's happening, you will be grateful to count your blessings each day - each moment.

To begin - only a little action to help you become aware of what you already have for which to be grateful..........................

1. Purchase a journal book - or any lined bound pad of paper - or dedicate a file on your computer for this.

2. Beginning immediately - today - write 5 things about today for which you are grateful.

3. Each and every day - write 5 things about your day or your life at that moment for which you are grateful.

4. Understand that this may be a little difficult at first, especially if you're experiencing challenging times right now. But, don't give up - this is the best time to begin. You will notice a transformation in your life - you will witness a miracle - all within you, which will manifest all around you.

When I began my first Gratitude Journal, I was at one of the lowest points (in almost every way) in my life. I had read about keeping a Gratitude Journal in a book that was given to me as a gift.

The first evening, I pondered for a very long time. All I could focus on was what I had been dwelling on for such a long time - all the crap that was in my life. I used to have pity parties for myself, asking "why me?". But, finally, my first entry was made in my new journal. It seemed silly, but it pushed me into motion, progressing forward each day - from sadness, depression and feeling sorry for myself - to becoming mindful that my life was filled with blessings and benefits I had been neglecting to notice.

Once my new attitude kicked into high gear, I realized my life was overflowing with so much for which to be thankful. All that I was missing and "thought" I wanted or needed, no longer seemed important.

I maintained my first Gratitude Journal for more than a year and it changed my life forever. There are not enough words to explain how effective this simple practice is and yet how huge the rewards can be! It simply must be tried.

Won't you please just give it a try?

After learning the simplicity of counting my blessings, I am able to discover blessings mixed in with even the big huge challenges in my life. I prefer to call them challenges, because it sounds a lot better to me than problems. It's possible to turn an adversity into a blessing. But, I'll share that on another day.

For right now, please just give a Gratitude Journal a try...............

But, I must warn you - it can become addictive. Can you think of any other addiction more rewarding?

I look forward to sharing more about GRATITUDE and how it has changed my life. I believe I've finally found my purpose in life - to share what I've discovered about GRATITUDE and to help others learn to be fulfilled with this simple act.