Gratitude...

This morning I was listening to a "famous" speaker who was talking about GRATITUDE.  He was saying that sometimes in our lives, we have to REALLY search for it.  So he told a story.  A man went to his minister for guidance on why he was so unhappy and unfulfilled.  The pastor said that they were going to make a list of things that were not so good and things that were great.  The man said he didn't have anything to put on the "good" side.  Everything in his life was bad.  He was unhappy after all.  So they filled out the left side of the list with everything that was wrong / bad / negative.  So then the pastor says, "I'm so sorry to hear about your wife's sickness and her dying."  The man sat back, shocked, and said, "My wife isn't sick !! She's very healthy and she's VERY much alive."  So the pastor wrote, "Healthy wife who is not dead" on the right side of the list.  The pastor then said, "I am so sorry to hear that your house burned down!"  The man said, "My house didn't burn down !!!!  I have a great house!"   The pastor wrote down "great house" on the right side of the list.

I realized that sometimes we have to REALLY look for something for which to be grateful.  Today it's easy for me.  Some days are not so easy.  I hope that we can remember this story when we have one of THOSE days.
What are you grateful for today?  I'm grateful for hearing, vision, sunshine, fireplaces, warm slippers, cats who like to play first thing in the morning, coffee, .......

Today's Thought

I am not what is considered a "Christian". I do, however, take guidance and inspiration from ALL kinds of places, writings and teachers. Joel Osteen is my favorite "Christian" teacher at this time. I love how he takes principles from the Christian Bible and applies them to today's living. We all could use a little of that.

As I was reading his "Today's Thought" today, I realized that it was too good not to share with everyone. Enjoy:

"It’s good to be passionate about your dreams, but did you know a dream can actually become an idol? If it’s all you think about, and you’re not going to be happy unless it happens your way, that’s out of balance. The fact is, sometimes you have to release that dream back to the Father.

Sometimes we can get frustrated because we are trying to force things to happen on our timetable. Sometimes we hold on to things so tightly, but when we finally are willing to let them go, that’s when God can bring them to pass. If you’ll choose to release that frustration and not let it become the center of your attention, but instead, use that same time and energy to thank God that He’s directing your steps, you open the door for God to give you the desires of your heart.

We have to remember, God already knows what we want and what we need. He’s the One who put those desires in us. We shouldn’t be consumed by trying to make things happen. Instead, a greater act of faith is to be happy right where you are; to stay open and trust God because He has good plans in store for your future!"