Thought for the day...

"Miracles are all around you. You just need to open yourself to receive them."

by M J Ryan, author of the Happiness Makeover

I used to keep this quote posted by my desk at work. The thought is simplistic, yet profound. How many times have you missed something because you closed yourself off?

Personally, I think I missed out on half of my teen years because I was waiting for something really fabulous to happen. What I failed to realize is that miracles were happening all around me. I was just too caught up in fancy and flashy to notice. I thought miracles came with fireworks and thunderous applause. The truth is that miracles come quietly, in the depth of night, on the whisper of the wind, they sneak up and catch you unawares...but only if you're open to receive them...

In this new year make a conscious decision to witness things like a child - everything fresh and new. You'll be amazed at what you find!

Here's a link for M.J.'s website, if you're interested. She has some great books on gratitude, as well. -

http://www.mj-ryan.com/

And a link to recieve her daily inspirational e-mails -

http://www.happinessmakeover.com/signup2.html

Just in case...

Since Thanksgiving is notoriously busy for everyone in America (and some American transplants living in other countries) I thought I'd take a few moments to run down my list of gratitudes tonight.

• My Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I'm no southern bible thumper here, but I give credit where credit is due. AND if you'd known me years ago you would have to believe in miracles, too!

• My sweet (sometimes) babies - my son and daughter. What a blessing they have been to me! Even when they completely disobey me, forget to do their share of the chores, or spend days with my mother instead of coming home to me; I still love them...

• My wonderful neighbors. I've met some fascinating people this year, most right here in my neighborhood. I'm thankful that I have neighbors who want to get to know each other, share talents together and who aren't afraid to lend a helping hand. What a world we would have if everyone lived this way!

• My mommy. Yes, I said mommy and I'm over 12. She will always be my mommy because I just love her like that. My experience is that when you add an "ie" or "y" to someones name you truly adore them.

I hope and pray that all of you have fabulous holidays, whatever you celebrate, and that you find many things in your lives to be thankful for this year and all of the years to come.