Sunday Thoughts

Sandra

“The nights draw in…the days seem cooler now…the leaves fall from the tree’s like floating golden angels… they crunch beneath your feet and crackle like a roaring fire.  It is good to be home and snug indoors.”  ~ Unknown

Good Sunday morning, dear friends.  It is hard to believe, but November has arrived.  And, it is so good to “be home and snug indoors.”  Home is such a wonderful blessing.

“Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.” ~ William Arthur Ward

As many of you know, I am a great fan of Alexandra Stoddard.  In one of her books several years ago she wrote about keeping a Gratitude Journal.  She felt, in lieu of our rapidly changing world, it was important to stop for a moment each day and think of things we are grateful for.  Her idea was to list daily, five things which touched us and that we appreciated.  I can tell you when I looked back through the pages of my journal, it was amazing how keeping a simple little journal made me so aware of even the smallest things I appreciated, but believe I had taken for granted until I wrote them down. Ordinary things ~ a hot shower, sweet smelling soap, clean sheets, a warm summer breeze, the list goes on.

Now, I wish I could tell you that I still keep my journal, I don’t. But, I can tell you the year I did was life-changing.  I became truly conscious of all the many beautiful details of life, I try never to take them for granted, and thank God each day for all my many blessings.  Gratefulness adds such abundance to our daily rounds and therefore, enriches the lives of those we love.

“When it comes to life the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude.” ~ G.K. Chesterton

Today, more than ever, I believe it is important for each of us to practice gratefulness. Not just in November ~ but every day.

Perhaps, if we did, Cynthia Rylant’s words would become commonplace.  And, wouldn’t that be wonderful?

“In November, people are good to each other. They carry pies to each other’s homes and talk by crackling woodstoves, sipping mellow cider. They travel very far on a special November day just to share a meal with one another and to give thanks for their many blessings – for the food on their tables and the babies in their arms.” ~ Cynthia Rylant, In November 

Wishing you and yours a most special November.  May your days be filled with blessings for which you will be forever grateful.

 

Au Revoir,

Sandra

 

 

Note:  Images ~ (Via Tumblr) Unless otherwise stated, I do not claim ownership of these photos. These photos are the work of tremendously talented people and I simply compiled them for your enjoyment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12 thoughts on “Sunday Thoughts”

  2. Good morning sweet friend. Spending time with you on a Sunday morning is a blessing, for which I am grateful. Gratitude will change attitude! I kept a journal for five years, why did I stop?!! Lovely post!
    Ps Have you read” 1000 Gifts” by Ann Voscamp, I highly recommend❤️

    1. Dear Pam, I am so grateful for you. You are such an encourager, you truly shed your light and lift others. Like you, why did I stop keeping my journal? I have not read the book by Ann Voscamp, but I will certainly do so. Thank you for the recommendation and for all you have done for me. You are a blessing, dear friend.??

  3. I try to be in the moment and find all of the little things to be grateful for.

    1. Penny, it does make a difference ~ doesn’t it? Wishing you a beautiful day, enjoy your wonderful view!

    1. Dear Shannon, you are so kind and I do thank you. I think you will enjoy keeping a journal. What I really enjoyed was when I looked back of what I had written over the months.
      Blessings to you, sweet friend.

    1. I am happy you enjoyed the post, Laura. When we pay attention to our sweet blessings we do become more grateful. Happy November to you and yours.

  6. You’ve shared some lovely photos and thoughts again today, Sandra. They are balm to the heart.

    I first learned about doing a gratitude list (five a day) from Sarah Ban Breathnach (Simple Abundance). I had such joy filling several notebooks during that season, and watching for the little ‘treasures’ so I could jot them in my book at day’s end. It truly set me on a path of living my life in gratitude. Like you, I tried to keep notebooks over the years, but somehow, it wasn’t the same as that first time. I do still write in my journal daily things that make me grateful, but not that ‘list’ exercise.

    Thank you again for giving us such lovely thoughts to ponder.
    Brenda xox

    1. Thank you, Brenda, for your lovely comments. I also read and very much enjoyed “Simple Abundance.” I wish Sarah Ban Breathnach would write more, I thoroughly enjoyed her writing. I think in our crazy world, now more than ever, we must continually pay attention to all that we are grateful for.
      Wishing you and your family a lovely November.

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