Focusing on What IS...

I have a very unhappy Mister M. (Mister M. is short for Mister Mistoffelees and is my very spoiled, but very beautiful kitty) crying out to me from the living room, and wanting one of two things- 1- He wants to play, and expects me to be his playdate, or 2- He's wondering WHY he's in there, and I'm here- without him. Either way you slice it, he's going to continue to be disruptive until I give in and either let him in here, or go in there with him.

This couldn't in any way-shape-or-form be part of the reason that he's spoiled rotten- no siree, not at all.

But, I digress. The reason I stopped back in here was to share a bit of something that I received via email earlier today. It's one of those things that I try to live daily, but being human and all that, I don't always succeed. I paused, and thought about my own life, and just how grateful I am for the life I have- far above and beyond the gratitude lists that I've shared on my other blog almost daily for more than a year.

"Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass... it's about learning how to dance in the rain!"

We all face adversity in our life. However, it's not the adversity, but how we react to it that will determine the joy and happiness in our life.

During tough times, do we spend too much time feeling sorry for ourselves, or, can we, with gratitude...learn how to dance in the rain?

It almost sounds too simple to feel important, but one word...gratitude, can change your attitude, thus, your life, forever.

Sarah Breathnack said it best...
"When we choose not to focus on what is missing from our lives but are grateful for the abundance that's present....we experience heaven on earth."

This message was a part of an email from Mac Anderson, founder of Simple Truths.

I challenge each of you who stop by this space, to take a moment and not think about what 'isn't' but what 'IS' in our lives. We often spend so much time focusing on all the negative, that we forget to recognize the wonderous, the beautiful, the blessings right under our nose. - The friend who cheers us up when we are feeling blue, The person who holds the door open for us when we are going inside of a building, The neighbor who collects our mail when we are on vacation, The supermarket clerk who checks the back of the store for an item that you simply 'must have', The husband who folds and puts away the laundry- just because, The wife who cooks, cleans, and manages the household day in and out. The list is endless.

What are YOU grateful for today? If you can't start rattling off things without even thinking, then maybe it's time to slow down long enough to stop and notice.

My Gratitude List for February 20, 2008.

Today I'm Grateful For:

1- Recognizing and being grateful for all the wonderful people in my life.

2- Marcel having a job to go to each and every day.

3- Dancing in the rain.

4- My brother- who is far more amazing than anyone ever gives him credit for being.

5- Little things that happen that cause me to pause and examine my own life.