Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Day 28, Remember the Magic

"That's the thing with magic. You've got to know it's still here, all around us, or it just stays invisible for you."
Charles De Lint (B. 1951),
Writer and Celtic Folk Musician

Rhonda says, "There is no set number of blessings to find from yesterday, because every day is different. But I can assure you that every single day of your life is full of blessings, and when you have opened your eyes to see the truth of this, you will have opened your heart to the magic of life, and your life will be abundant and magnificent." Page 237, The Magic.

The Assignment

Today's assignment is to ask yourself: What are the good things that happened yesterday? Remember as many blessing as you can think from yesterday and write them down.


Last Nights Gratitude Stone

I was most grateful for the awesome sleep I had  last night. Thank you, thank you, thank you.




I Am Grateful: (Day 28)

  1. That I was able to get an appointment so quickly with the Optometrist. Being diabetic, I am suppose to have my eyes checked annually but it has been more than two years since my last check-up. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  2. For my healthy eyes so that I can see all the wonders of the world and the faces of my loved ones. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  3. That Faith's first day of school went well. She really enjoyed herself. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  4. Christina got up with Faith this morning, dressed her, did her hair, and walked her to school. on time. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  5. That I was able to see my Mom today. It has been four whole days since she last came here to visit. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  6. That Faith went to sleep easily. She was over tired from the long day at school. She was easily upset and those kind of nights can be terrible. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  7. For the beautiful day because the girls were able to go for a swim after school. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  8. For the rain. All the plants in the garden were droopy and extremely thirsty.Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  9. For our garden, the girls were so excited to see the large number of gourds growing in the yard.Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  10. For my health. I just realized that I have been headache free for a long time. I can't recall right now when the last one was. Nicole and I were just talking about this the other day. We are so use to headaches that we don't even realize when we have one. We will be feeling a little grumpy then figure out it is due to an extremely bad headache.Thank you, thank you, thank you.
The First Day of School.







The Challenge

I am grateful for these good things that happened yesterday:
  1. That our furniture was delivered yesterday.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  2. That Nick moved the old furniture out to the garage. We were well overdue for new furniture. The sofa was about fifteen years old. The cushions were flimsy. The cushion covers were ripped. One side of the couch was being held up by my red tool box.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  3. That we were able to fit the new furniture into the space in a pleasing arrangement.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  4. That Gary didn't freak out because I wanted to keep the two wing backed chairs from the old set.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Conclusion

My problem is I was having trouble remembering what happened yesterday. It is a blur. I am sure there was so much more to be grateful for but I just can't think of it right now.

And even though the twenty-eight days are over now. There are two last chapters to the book called Your Magical Future and The Magic Never Ends so I will have at least two more blogs. 

I hope your memory is much better than mine. How did you do with today's practice? I would love to hear all about it. Share with me!

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Day 27 - The Magic Mirror

"The appearance of things changes according to the emotions, and thus we see magic and beauty in them, while the magic and beauty are really in ourselves."
Kahlil Bibran (1883-1931),
Poet and Artist


Rhonda says, "Negative feelings about yourself cause the greatest damage to your life, because they are more powerful than any feelings you have about anything or anyone else. Wherever you go and what ever you do you take those negative feelings with you in every moment, and those feelings taint everything you touch, and they act as a magnet, attracting more dissatisfaction, discontentment and disappointment with everything you do." Page 230, The Magic.


The Assignment

Today's assignment is to say thank you every time I look in the mirror and mean it more than ever before.

Gratitude Stone

I was most grateful for having the day all to myself to do what I feel like doing, when I feel like doing it. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Sometimes it feels like I am being pulled in ten million directions all at once. Everyone needs my attention or my help. And although I love my family more than life itself, it can be overwhelming at times. For the most part I thrive on being surrounded by my loved ones but sometimes, Mom, Grandma needs time to herself too.

I Am Grateful: (Day 27)

  1. For the  gourds  growing in the garden. At first we thought the plants were pumpkins. Then we thought they may be watermelons. Turns out they are  ornamental  gourds. It makes me laugh. I often throw  food pieces in the gardens to decompose and we get surprises pop up in the summer. Once we all recognized the plants, I remembered throwing some guards into the garden last fall after Halloween. Faith and Sidney were so excited to cut some very unique looking gourds from the garden. 
  2. That Faith slept in today and that meant I could sleep in too. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  3. For Nicole making pancakes and bacon for everyone. Bacon is a real treat around here. We had to cut the little ones off so someone else could have some. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  4. For the dishes being done by Nicole. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  5. For the cool refreshing day. I opened all the doors and aired out the house. It was wonderful. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  6.  For the candle Nicole had in her washroom because it came in handy when the power went out this evening. It was kinda freaky. We are used to power outages when there is an electrical storm but there was no storm tonight. It was pitch dark in the house and outside the house. Freaking scary. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  7. For my laptop's light because it lit the area I was sitting in when the power went out this evening. Otherwise I may have had a heart attack. Silly me, a grown woman afraid of the dark. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  8. That Nicole is afraid of the dark too so I had to be courageous and lead the way. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  9. For our indoor plumbing. I drank a lot of pop today and had to use the washroom many times. When my Aunt was alive, we use to visit her on the Six Nations Indian Reserve. She had an outhouse. It was stinky and suffocating in the summer and freezing cold in the winter. Come to think of it, I use to sleep over at my cousins house before they got indoor plumbing and we had to use the slop bucket in the middle of the night. It was so gross. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  10. We did not have a zombie apocalypse or alien invasion when the power was out. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Okay, seriously, I am grateful the time while the lights were out was uneventful.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Hand picked by my sweet granddaughters and mounted on the sill.

The Challenge

This is probably the most difficult assignment for me. I am one of those people who hates looking in the mirror or having my picture taken.

What can I say, I have low self esteem - always have. My earliest memory of self loathing is kindergarten.

A few months ago, I was looking at some photographs from my childhood. My Mom wasn't in very many pictures because she was the one operating the camera. I wished there were more pictures of my Mom.

It dawned on me, there aren't many pictures of me in our photo albums and it wasn't just because I was operating the camera. I often ducked out of sight when the cameras came out or hid behind someone. So many, many years from now, after I have left this world, when my children and their children are looking through our family albums, they will be disappointed that there are so few pictures of me. They won't care if my hair is a mess, what I am wearing, how much I weigh or about the wrinkles and grey hair- not that I have grey hair yet. They will just want to see me.

Having my picture taken? Not so much a problem - I just won't look at the pictures. As for my reflection, I avoid looking at it as much as possible.

To do this assignment I couldn't avoid looking at my reflection. I was brave. I looked into my eyes and tried to imagine what my family and friends think when they look at me.

Thank you.

Conclusion

I am diffidently going to keep practicing this assignment. I think is important for me - everyone to be grateful for being just who they are. We accept our loved ones for who they are so why are we so critical of ourselves?

I do admit as I have grown older, it has become easier to accept myself as I am and to be less critical. I wonder does it work like that for most people? What do you think?

Feel free to share. I'd like to know what is on your mind.

Monday, August 27, 2012

Day 26- - Magically Transform Mistakes Into Blessings







"Turn your wounds into wisdom."
Oprah Winfrey (B. 1954),
Media Personality and Business Woman

I actually have three comments by Rhonda that I would like to include today. 

The is the first quote. "We have the freedom to make our own choices and that means we have the freedom to make mistakes. Mistakes can hurt, but if we don't learn from the mistakes we've made, the pain we've suffered from it has been for nothing." Page 222, The Magic by Rhonda Byrne.

Jeff Groins has this to say about making mistakes. " About a year ago, I wrote a guest post that completely failed. It was for a large writing blog, and over the following few days it got about 20 comments from people who all disagreed with me.

It felt like someone had poured ice water over my shoulders, kind of like football players do to their coach for a winning football game. Except I didn't win.

It was painful. Embarrassing. Humbling.

However, I learned more about writing from that post than from 10 posts that were well received."
(http://goinswriter.com/fail-faster/)

If you think about this you will see the truth in it. Everything we have experienced in our lives has molded us into the person we are today. It is through mistakes that we grow as a person and become wiser.

It is for this reason that I have no regrets in my life. I refuse to entertain the idea of doing things differently in the past. I rather look at it as ancient history from which I would like to learn.

And this brings me to the second quote. "To learn from a mistake, we first have to own it, and this is where many people can become undone, because they often blame someone else for their mistake." Page 222, The Magic by Rhonda Byrne.

I am sure you know a few people who never seem to take responsibility for their mistakes. I know I do. It can be very annoying to be around someone like this but more importantly, they are not learning a thing.

I'm not perfect. I have caught myself making excuses for my mistakes. It's a knee jerk response. 

Sometimes I am so stubborn that even when I realize I have made a mistake, I hate admit to it to others. But I do admit it  and try to figure out how to make corrections to avoid the same mistake.

And I am sure there have been times that I placed blame for my mistakes on someone else without even knowing it. I guess the trick here is awareness. Mindfulness. 

Last but not least is this quote from Ms. Byrne. "No matter how bad something may seem, there are always, always, many things to be grateful for. When you look for as many things as you can to be grateful for in a mistake, you magically transform the mistake into blessings. Mistakes attract more mistakes, and blessings attract more blessing - which would you prefer?" Page 223, The Magic by Rhonda Byrne.

How true, how true. It is all in our perception and there are many sayings that mimic this quote. For example, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. And, when one door closes another door opens. It's seeing the good in what at first seems bad then learn from it.

The Assignment

Today's assignment is to think of one mistake and list ten reasons you are grateful for that mistake.

Ah, I will have to think of a good one here. Something big.

Gratitude Stone

Before I move on to the assignment I am going to share last night's gratitude stone. When I held my stone at bed time and reviewed all that I had to be grateful for that day, it was easy to choose which I was most grateful for.

I know I should  be most grateful for the medication my husband takes for his Post Traumatic Stress Disorder because it has made a huge difference in his demeanor. But I think I will just take that for granted and pick something else.

Just kidding. I am grateful for my husband's medications and the subsequent change for the better in his overall mood. Thank you, thank you, thank you.


Gratitude Journal

Sorry but before I move on, I have to complete my regular daily exercises so here is today's entry into my Gratitude Journal.

I Am Grateful:

  1. For having the day all to myself to do what I feel like doing, when I feel like doing it. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  2. The opportunity to blog, to share this experience with others because I hope it helps us all find happiness and helps us fulfill all our dreams and desires. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  3. That Cole will continue with her Magic Practices. She just hit a bad patch and intends on getting back on track. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  4. For the abundance of energy I had today because I was able to get so much cleaning done. (For the last week I have been feeling sluggish and tired.) Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  5. That Christina helped me tidy up my room because it is usually the other way around. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  6. For the magnificent day. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  7. To Christina for making kraft dinner and hot dogs for supper. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  8. For my health. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  9. That Faith went willingly with her Nana this morning. (At first, Faith didn't want to go to her Nana's today. She said she was sick and has a fever. What a cutie. She told me she was burning up and had to stay home. I find it amazing that this came from a four year old. Well, once Nana told Faith that they were going to the trailer, Faith came running back to me to tell me she changed her mind. So cute.) Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  10. For another beautiful day. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

The Challenge

I was trying to avoid what I consider my biggest mistake but I have decided to work on it because it didn't just impact me, it affected my whole family.

Where to start? My husband and I were doing well financially. We weren't rich by any means but we had great credit, a house, two good cars and didn't have to worry about money. I had savings and RRSPs.

Then we made a decision that we thought was a good one. Big, big mistake. It turned ugly real fast. 

In the end we were left holding the bag. The other couple sold their house and filed for bankruptcy. They took their money and ran leaving my husband and I with a huge debt.

For simplicity sake, let's call the other couple, Mr. and Mrs. Crud.

At first I was so angry that they did this to us. Ripped us off. Left us with a huge debt while they were someplace else living like nothing happened. The consequences for us? Bad credit. Huge debt that we are still paying for five years later.

The real bummer is our kids will on occasion remind us that this was a big mistake. I can't blame them. 

We struggled financially. I wish I could say we lived pay cheque to pay check but that would have been a luxury. Our money rarely made it past the weekend. There were times where the utilities were shut off. The kids heard the word "no" many many times. 

My husband blamed Mr. and Mrs. Crud. He wanted to get back at them. He wanted them to pay up.

I didn't blame the Cruds.

He also blamed me. He threw it in my face many times.

I didn't blamed him. Although if I used his mentality I could have easily found blame in him. He had a choice. He jumped at it too.

I blame myself. I was blinded by the visions of success -  money and I did not see what type of people the Cruds were. I jumped in without looking first.

I do not regret the mistake. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. I just wish the consequences weren't so long lasting. I guess it was a lesson that needed to be learned in a very harsh way. It sucks.

So here I go. Blessings from my mistake.
  1. I am really grateful that my eyes have been opened to the kindness and generosity of other people in this world. I was pessimistic about the motives of others because I had been taken advantage of many times and ripped off and hurt. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  2. I am really grateful to have learned again to see where my blessings are instead of concentrating on the negative. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  3. I am grateful that I learned other people have their own agenda's and will do whatever they have to even it means hurting others. Just kidding. I am very grateful that my eyes have been opened even wider to the trials and tribulations of my neighbor. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  4. I am really grateful that we were able to find several resources in our community that assisted us and that I am able to share that information with others. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  5. I am really grateful to have learned, again, not to take what I do have for granted. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  6. I am really grateful that I now believe each day of life is a blessing. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  7. I am really grateful that the importance of family and friends has been reinforced and strengthened. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  8. I am really grateful to this experience for compelling me to actually put into action my self improvement. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  9. I am really grateful that I can now recognize the type of person who will have a negative impact on my life so I  can avoid them. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  10. I am really grateful that I am now surrounded by caring, loving people. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Conclusion

You know, I initially thought this was going to a difficult assignment but it turned out to be one of the easiest so far. Maybe it's because I am on day 26 now and I have had some practice in finding things to be grateful.

Writing a gratitude list for my big mistake has really put the experience into perspective for me. I mean, I knew, or thought I knew I should not regret the mistake. My reason, as I mentioned earlier was mistakes shape us into who we are but there really is so much more to it.

I am feeling pretty good about it right now. I wonder if that changes back later or I will be left with this wonderful feeling of euphoria. Time will tell.



If you have a mistake that has left you feeling bitter or angry about, I hope you try today's practice. It is liberating. I am not exaggerating. I feel really good right now. 

And I hope you will share your experience with me. Please leave a comment.




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Sunday, August 26, 2012

Day 25 - Cue the Magic


"Life is playfulness . . . We need to play so that we can rediscover the magic all around us."
Flora Colao (B. 1954),
Writer and Therapist

Rhonda says, "If you hear an ambulance siren, the magic cue from the Universe is to be grateful for perfect health. If you see a police car, your magic cue is to grateful for safety and security. If you see someone reading a newspaper, it's your magic cue to be thankful for great news." Page 216, The Magic.


The Assignment

Today's assignment is to be aware of our surroundings and take advantage of at least seven gratitude cues to remind ourselves to be grateful.


Gratitude Stone

I was most grateful for the mortgage being paid on time, two months in a row because it is a huge relief knowing we don't have to worry about foreclosure. Thank you, thank you, thank you.. 



I Am Grateful: (Day 25)

  1. For the peace and quite today because it has been a long time since I have been able to enjoy it. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  2. For the money I received. The coffee table we ordered at Martins has been discontinued so the sales representative asked if we would like the floor model for one hundred dollars less. I said yes please and thank you (for the money we received. Money comes easily and frequently).Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  3. For the twelve dollars I won on my Bingo ticket. (Money comes easily and frequently. Thank you for the money I received.) I thought you should know I am not a gambling freakazoid. I buy the occasional Bingo ticket on a Friday because I am going to win big on a Friday night. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  4. For my cork boards that I found for a good price. I can't wait til I hang them tomorrow my my computer desk. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  5. For the liquid shock I found at Canadian Tire. Usually by this time of year, stores like Canadian Tire and Walmart stop carrying pool supplies.  Now I can clean the pool water. I was going to take down the pool because we ran out of pucks, filters and shock but now we can keep it up a little longer and enjoy the nice weather and the pool. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  6. For my little Honey Bunny, Faith. I got so many hugs and kisses from her today. She must have told me about a dozen times today that she loves me "this much" and she stretched out her arms. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  7. For our car because it was a safe and convenient means of transportation for Faith and I today.Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  8. For the medication Gary takes for his Post Traumatic Stress Disorder because it has made a huge difference in his demeanor.Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  9. For getting skinnier everyday because I will soon be at my ideal weight. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  10. For feeling healthy with enough energy to keep moving today to keep up with Faith. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

The Challenge

Pretty easy challenge today. I guess I should share my cues:
  1. Faith gave me a great big tight hug. That was my cue to be grateful for my little Honey Bunny.
  2. I saw a fairly large women at Canadian Tire today. Sorry, I feel bad. It was my cue to be grateful for "getting skinnier every day." (I am not sure if that is the kind of cue Rhonda was talking about but it worked and I didn't even have to think about it. The gratitude just jumped out at me. 
  3. When I looked into my purse this morning, I saw the telephone bill and felt grateful that it was paid. Thank you for the money I have received, that I am receiving, and the money that I will receive.
  4. Faith and I saw a little boy at the store today crying because his parents wouldn't buy something that he wanted. That was my cue to be grateful that Faith is, for the most part , a very agreeable little girl. For a four year old she is just so smart.
  5. When I was paying for my items at Canadian Tire, my heart started to race. A few weeks ago when money was a scarce thing around here, I would have an anxiety  attack at the check out because I was afraid the debit machine would say declined. that was my cue to be grateful for  the money I have received, that I am receiving, and the money that I will receive.
  6. When Faith and I were out today, an elderly lady stopped to admire Faith's hair. The woman said "don't you wish we had hair like that?" I agreed. Faith has thick blonde, naturally wavy hair with gorgeous streaks from the sun. I have never cut her hair so it comes down to about the middle of her back. That was my cue to be grateful for my hair. (I know a woman who has lost all her hair from Alopecia and another whose hair has become extremely thin on the top of her head.) Thank you, I am grateful for my full head of hair. (I do have a thinning spots in the front sides.)
  7. Sorry, I am getting too tired to think any more tonight. It is three a.m. so I will finish up for the day.

Conclusion

I think being grateful is getting easier. Or is it because our financial problems are gone? No, I think it is getting easier. And it will get even better once I write down my lists in my book. And put op my cork bulletin boards tomorrow. I also think I will put my gratitude stone in my purse so I can see it more often. Did I already decide to do that? maybe I did. Oh well. I have decided again and this time I will put it in my purse.

I would like to hear about the cues the Universe gave you today.

Or maybe you would like to be a guest and submit a post?

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Day 24 - The Magical Wand

Magic Wand

"People who wait for a magic wand fail to see that they ARE the magic wand."
Thomas Leonard (155-2003),
Personal Development Coach

Rhonda says, "Using gratitude to help someone else with his or her health, wealth, and happiness is the single greatest act of gratitude you can perform. And one of the magical things about it is that the health, wealth and happiness you fervently wish for others, you also bring to yourself." Page 210, The Magic.


The Assignment

Today's assignment is to choose three people that I care about and want to help with more health, wealth, happiness or all three. 

Holding a photograph of one of my loved ones I must visualize that person giving me the news that they have received health, wealth and/or happiness. I follow this with a sincere "Thank you, thank you, thank you for ________'s health, wealth or happiness."

Repeat this for the other two loved ones.



Gratitude Stone

I was most grateful for the abundance of food in my refrigerator and cupboards because I can look in there any time I want and find something good for my granddaughters.The peace of mind this gives me is sublime. Thank you, thank you, thank you.



I Am Grateful: (Day 18)

  1. That Christina came out for ice cream and the park with Destiny and Emily because the more the merrier. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  2. For money because it comes easily and frequently. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  3. For another beautiful day because I enjoy being outside on days like this. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  4. For my house because it provides shelter for all of us. (Nicole, Nick, Sidney, Gary, Faith, Christina and I. Plus our two cats and two rats. Hay, that rhymes.) Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  5. For the mortgage being paid on time, two months in a row because it is a huge relief knowing we don't have to worry about foreclosure. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  6. For another day at home with the ones I love because each day is a precious gift. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  7. For the shampoo I used today because it cleans my hair  without residual conditioning that makes my hair greasy the next day.Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  8. For my washer and dryer because it is a convenient and efficient way to get our stacks and stacks of laundry completed. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  9. For my sweet granddaughters who make each day full of sunshine and happiness. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  10. For my new bras because they are so comfortable and pretty. Thank you, thank you, thank you.


The Challenge

I have to say that I have not printed a picture in about three and a half years. I have digital copies saved in about five different places. Yes, five. I am so paranoid about losing my pictures that I need five different locations and media to save them.

So, finding a picture means digging through books that have been left to gather dust. Ah-choo! I am allergic to dust.

Okay, I looked through my photo albums. It apparently has been longer since I last printed a picture. It has to be more like ten years. 

My daughters are so young and absolutely beautiful. I forgot how adorable they were (and still are). And my Mom? Holy cow she has lost a lot of weight. I wish I had more recent shots of them but this had to do.

Oh, sorry I forgot to tell you who I chose but I guess you have already figured it out. 

I chose my Mom because she has had a hard life struggling with money and happiness. She is in good health overall but it could be better.

I chose my three daughters because they battle depression and anxiety. Money is an issue for them. And I worry about their health. Beth's hands cause her so much pain. Nicole's jaw condition gives her excruciating headaches and Christina seems to be having some sort of seizures which she refuses to see the Doctor about.


Conclusion

I liked today's practice. I have wished for more for my loved ones but not where I actually take the time to feel the happiness it would bring to them. I imagined their big smiles. My daughters jumping up and down with joy. My Mom waving hundred dollar bills in the air. A smile just naturally spread across my face and left me feeling elevated.

I hope your practice went well. Please feel free to leave a comment. I would love to hear from you.

Friday, August 24, 2012

Day 23 - The Magical Air That You Breathe

I am glad you have joined me for day twenty-three of my Magical Journey. I hope your journey is running smoothly.


 I have not been following the schedule diligently. I am not sure why. Lazy maybe. Too tired. I have been falling behind. A 28 day journey has become a thirty something journey. I know I shouldn't chastise myself. After all, I have not given up, just slowed down.

On with today. 

"It is quit possible to leave your home for a walk in the early morning air and return a different person - beguiled, enchanted."
Mary Ellen Chase (1887-1971),
Educator and Writer

Rhonda says, "When the realization hits you that all of these things might not be an accident, and that the balance of every microscopic element surrounding Earth and on Earth is in perfect harmony to support us, you will feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude for life, because all of it has been done to sustain you!" Page 149, The Magic.


The Assignment

"Today, stop and think about the glorious air that you breathe. Take five deliberate breaths and feel the feeling of the air moving inside your body and feel the joy of breathing it out. Take five full breaths in and out five different times today and after you have taken each set of five breaths say the magic words, "Thank you for the magical air that I breathe," and be as genuinely grateful as you can for the precious, life-giving air that you breathe!"

I have thought about breathing many times before. Once I think about it, it becomes a chore and laboured. Then it feels like I am not getting enough oxygen and I start to feel anxious. I take deeper breaths and exhale completely. 

I can't help wondering if you have the same reaction to paying attention to your breathing. I also wonder if that is part of my anxiety issues.

Gratitude Stone

I was most grateful for being given the insight to cancel an order before it was too late. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Just as a side note. I was not aware that all sales are final at Leon's. And that once an order is placed, you only have forty-eight hours to cancel it and get your money back. Once it is delivered, that's it. Your are stuck with it even if you decide the purchase does not look good in your home.

Just before my forty-eight hours were up, I decide to check Leon's return policy. I was having second thoughts about the electric fireplace. Sure it would help keep the area warm in the winter but I wasn't too sure about how it would look with the rest of the decor. Good thing I followed my instincts for a change. I called Leon's right away and canceled the order. Now we just have to get back to the store to get our money back. Tomorrow. Defiantly. Tomorrow.

I Am Grateful: (Day 23)

  1. To Nick for picking up  Lexi so she could come and play with her cousins. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  2. To Nick for taking  Lexi home because it allowed me to stay home with Sidney and get her into bed. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  3. For the glorious weather because it so wonderful to be outside. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  4. For the chance to sit out on the front porch with my Mom relaxing and talking because every moment I spend with her is precious. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  5. For Gary taking the garbage can from the kitchen and hosing it down because it was beginning to get quite nasty from people throwing garbage into the can when there was not bag inside it. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  6. For the abundance of food in my refrigerator and cupboards because I can look in there any time I want and find something good for my granddaughters. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  7. For the cool breeze coming in through the windows this evening because it is cooling off the house nicely without me having to put on the air conditioning to get a comfortable sleep. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  8. That we were able to get the internet and telephone service back on so quickly after disconnection. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  9. For the inspiration to continue with the magic journey. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  10. To Nicol e for preparing my favorite meal for supper tonight. (spaghetti and meatballs) Thank you, thank you, thank you.

The Challenge

I am grateful for the air we breathe and it is quite miraculous how everything is kept in balance to enable to me to continue breathing.

I still have trouble getting oxygen when I concentrate on my breathing. I have to chuckle. I feel silly admitting such a thing to you.

Conclusion

Over all today was a good day. No anxiety. No depression or sadness. No frustration. Content. What a good feeling!

I hope your day went as smoothly as mine. I look forward to reading your comments. Share with me!
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