Friday, August 29, 2008

GRATITUDE


My friend Deanna and I were talking the other day and trying to sort out our feelings about doing things we wished to do, without accepting the guilt that sometimes holds us hostage. The things we most love to do don't bring income to our families nor do they seem to help anyone but us. We wonder then, are we truly being productive if we're not working for pay? We also wonder if we're acting selfishly when we indulge in those things we love - working with papier mache and miniatures for Deanna, writing and blogging for me.
I suggested to Deanna that she is using her God-given talent by doing what she loves to do. How can that ever be wrong? She loves working with papier mache and is presently constructing a "mouse house" - complete with mouse family and all the accessories any mouse could possibly desire. I saw that mouse house over the weekend and it's a wonderful work of art. Deanna is filled with joy when she's working on her creation and I know that is a good thing. She sees her grandkids' eyes light up when they behold the wonder of the mouse house and all its charm - and that is priceless.
We came to the conclusion that we're trying to go in the direction our hearts are leading us and if that makes us happy, it's what we should do. Everybody wants and needs happiness in her life, so we will simply be grateful for the joy these passions bring to us.
There's an old adage that suggests,"When momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy". If that is so, then the reverse must also be true - "When momma's happy, everybody is happy". Be grateful for where you are in your life and feel free to indulge in those things which bring you joy.
When searching for some commentary on gratefulness, I found the following, which says everything:
GRATITUDE

GRATITUDE unlocks the fullness of life.
It turns what we have into enough, and more.
GRATITUDE turns denial into acceptance;
chaos into order; confusion into clarity....
GRATITUDE turns problems into gifts;
failures into success; the unexpected into perfect
timing; and mistakes into important events.
GRATITUDE makes sense of our past, brings peace for today,
and creates a vision for tomorrow.

Melodie Beattie

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey Sweet Kady~~~
Come on over I have a prize for you!!
Blessings....
Lori Hull

Kady said...

Dear Lori, you are too kind. Thank you for honoring me again. How very sweet of you. Love your blog too! THANKS...Kady