Julia K Cole

Today, I will share with you a few of the things I am thankful for.  These things come from my Things I am Thankful For list.  Which I do daily.   Why?  Because every day is a day of giving thanks.  Yea, laugh and mock if you will. I know how corny it sounds.  But it's my personal belief, my way of life and how I roll.   That's my story and I'm sticking to it. So why make a list?   Helps me from leaving anything out for starters.  More importantly, it puts things in perspective.   Having a literal list allows me to actually see how much there is to be thankful for.    Speaking of which, there is so much we all take for granted.  So much we don't even think about because we're so use to having it around.  You know like running water, indoor plumbing, electricity; having a stove and refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker.  A bed, a pillow, sheets and blankets.  To name a few.      And yes! ...

  The Gratitude Gap™ happens when we fail to express appreciation for the goodness in our lives. The Gratitude Gap™  occurs when we show lack to no appreciation for the challenges, problems and pain that comes into our lives. The Gratitude Gap™ takes place whenever we show a lack of appreciation. * Lack of appreciation for things ... great or small; * Lack of appreciation of the painful things; * Lack of appreciation for anything and/or anyone we may dislike or causes us pain. The Gratitude Gap™ isn't about liking or loving everything and everyone. It's about showing appreciation for the gifts EVERYONE and EVERYTHING brings into our lives. Situations, words and deeds that enrich us in ways we never believed possible. No matter how painless or how painful they may be. Bottom line... The Gratitude Gap™ is about being thankful for every single opportunity to learn and to grow past our own short-comings. Gratitude strengthens our emotional, mental and spirit...

  There are many  by products of practicing forgiveness.  Here in part 3 of my on going blog series entitled Forgiveness , we will take a look at a few of them. Good Health and Genuine Happiness It has been proven that people who practice forgiveness on a regular basis are healthier and happier. When you live in the state of forgiveness, your body is more relaxed.  Your heart rate and blood pressure stay on a normal healthy level.  This in turn creates a better flow of oxygen to the brain. A better flow of oxygen leads to clearer thinking and the wherewithal  to remaining calm and centered even during stressful situations. People who practice forgiveness are not blind to the events taking place in the world.  They are not ignorant of the negativity that exists here on the earthly plane.  On the contrary!   People who practice genuine forgiveness are very much aware of everything happening to them and all around them.   ...

So What are you thankful for? Whenever I am asked this question, the first answer that pops into my head is ... I'm  thankful for not being one of these people who walk around with their head stuck up their ass! While that answer, for some, may come across as crass -- it is my sincerest  heartfelt feelings.  And I don't make any apologies for it. It is my hope  that one day,  I can say with conviction ... I am thankful there are no more people walking around with their heads up their asses! I can dream -- can't I? I could go on and on about what I am thankful for ... but I won't.  The list is enormous and  there isn't enough room on this note to list every single thing I am thankful for.   Sufficient to say ... I am one very  thankful person.  I'll be spending the last Thursday in November helping those in need.  Paying it forward by continuing my work in doing all I can to relieve the Earth of the grue...