Crazy
Everyday gratitude happens when we stop, look and listen.
I consider myself a thankful person-but admittedly have my share of days when like most folks on this planet, we teeter between grouchy and grateful. In those moments I find there is often a very small sliver of time where we can choose our best yes…or not.
But, what if instead of grouchy and ungrateful, we were one of the crazy ones who took a leap of faith and chose to see the world in a different way?
We Have Choices
Is it simplistic to believe we can create a different atmosphere around us? I believe while we can’t change the whole world we can influence the world around us by our attitude. What we allow to influence our thoughts can impact us at a deeper level than we realize. Paul, writing to the Philippian church speaks to this very thing as he encouraged believers in the early church to consider their thoughts.
Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Philippians 4:8 The Message
Take Five– a simple act of stopping to notice what we have to be grateful for. Health, feet on the ground, a warm place to sleep, strong friendships, dependable car, and the list goes on. On even our hardest of days, we still have much to be thankful for. Be one who notices! Take five minutes at the end of your day to reflect back on the good things that passed through your hands that day. You will be amazed at the shift in your outlook when you simply chose to count your blessings. See the world differently.
Compassion– Do a random act of kindness for another. Simple things cost little and can mean so much. Do you have a senior citizen in your life who could use some encouragement? Growing old is not for sissies and the struggle is real. Slowing down for a moment to spend an extra moment or two with a customer who struggles to understand or a neighbor who could use some help getting their trash can to the curb. Do you have a co-worker who could use a pick me up? Leave a handwritten note to cheer them on. Life is tough and you may be someones only bright spot! Push forward and create a space of grace for those around you.
Confidence – Savor one thing you are crushing in your life. You shine in more ways than you give yourself credit for. What’s your thing? What are you good at? No false humility here girls… you rock life and need to own it. Be your own kind of crazy, not let anyone tell you it can’t be done.
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Here’s to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes… the ones who see things differently — they’re not fond of rules… You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can’t do is ignore them because they change things… they push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do. – Steve Jobs
Be the One
I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.— Mother Teresa
Thank you for sharing these moments with me. Let’s do this. You and I, we can make a difference. Even in messy places, I believe we can change the world. Please share your thoughts in the comments and if these words have impacted you, please share them with your people!
Be one of the crazy ones. Life is too short to be normal.
Blessings-
Love this post. I think it helps to have a mindset shift. In the past, things like long lines in the grocery store would be upsetting to me (I really don’t like having to wait). We moved two years ago to a smaller town where we almost never have lines, but on Super Bowl Sunday, the lines at Trader Joe’s were crazy long. Instead of getting stressed out, I kept thinking, “Wow, I am so happy I no longer live in our former hometown where every shopping trip was stressful — here only a few days a year does it get crazy busy.” I agree — stopping to take the time to be grateful really does make a difference!
I like the idea of taking five at the end of the day to reflect and contemplate the good things. Thank you for your post.
Yes, I do believe that we change things around us by choices, random acts of kindness and gratitude. Thanks for sharing.
Yes- I do believe small random acts, done well with great love can truly make a difference!
Nancy, You are a person who affects others. I am proud to call you a friend. I will be praying for you and your family 2019. That it would be one of your best years yet, as you continue to look to the one who’s responsible for every breath you take. Love you, Nancy.
Anne- Thank you, sweet friend! Let’s press into together and write our best life story yet this year. hugs!!!
I’ve taught my children that as humans we are never satisfied so it is useless to fall travel on the road called materialism. I’ve explained to them how someone could have one of everything imaginable and still want more. The world’s system is set up to keep us emptying our pockets for more and more. Only God can fill that space that we may try to fill up with other things and still not feel satisfied. The Lord said peace I give you not like the world.
I run through gratitude lists in my head on a regular basis, but rarely seem to get around to writing them down. There’s so much power in that action – I would like to develop a regular gratitude habit!
Eva- Welcome to the journey of regular, intentional gratitude ! Blessings 🙂
Yesterday, after attending the 5th funeral since April, I’m more and more grateful for relationships – friends, family, neighbors, church…the people I get to do life with. I’m grateful for the stuff God has given me to live a comfortable life with, but in the end I just want people to remember me as someone who lived huge, celebrated small things, loved much and was always grateful.
And I’m hugely grateful for you, my sweet friend.
Friendships are a treasure… and yes I too am grateful for those that stand the test of time.
I’ve been making a list of what I’m grateful for every day, for a long time now.
As of late I’ve been adding the things, I’m having a hard time with on this list, too. As I do this, I’m writing done things I’m learning from my problems.
Like being challenged with daily pain.
I’m grateful that God, gives me the Grace, to be able to still work and still be able enjoy it.
This has really changed my perspective on the challenges of my daily life.
It’s what I see as being Grateful in all things !
wisdom my friend… in the leaning in and learning from even the hard places. We become stronger when we must push away the resistance…we become braver when we do not give up. … grace enough for today for you sweet one – blessings !
We can never hear too much about gratitude. I see that mine slips every now and then and when things get a little tight, well you can bet I am not focusing on what I do have, but worrying if I’ll have enough. Needed this. Thanks, Nancy.
Oh the tension which comes when we weigh out the enough with the not enough. Do we have enough, am I enough, is my family enough… my prayer for you is for the enough of your today to fill the cracks and crevices of all you have need of… and then more than enough to spill out of the places which are tender and raw… because it is in the overflow we receive enough grace for our journey… Blessings special lady!