Happy Thanksgiving

In the U.S., it is Thanksgiving. And, it is an opportunity for each of us to count our blessings. It is far too easy to focus on the setbacks and what Kennedy's Disease has done to us. But, when you consider everything else including family, friends, general health, a roof over our heads, food on the table, doctors who care, researchers working on a cure, our freedom, our servicemen and women as well as their families, we have so much to be thankful for.

I could go on, but you get the idea. Thank you for reading my blog posts and commenting. Be safe and stay upright. Bruce

I love Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is an important time of year for me. It is a time when our family gets together to 'break bread' and share our thoughts. Once everyone sits down, and we all hold hands to pray, sighs can be heard around the table. At that moment, everything is all right.

It is easy to focus on the negative things, but Thanksgiving gives us an opportunity to say THANK YOU for all the good–for all the blessings in our lives.

Today, I am thankful for …

• The men and women of our armed forces, and their families. They sacrifice so much without adequate appreciation, compensation or reward.
• For the fire, rescue and police men and women who are there for us in time of need.
• Being able to live in this country. We often complain about what is wrong, but we seldom say thank you for all that is right. I would not want to live anywhere else.
• The doctors and researchers who are searching for a treatment or cure. I have said it before, but without them there would be no hope.
• My wonderful, thoughtful, patient, understanding and beautiful wife. She makes life worth living every day.
• Both of our families, as well as our friends and neighbors. These people are my support system. Life without family and friends would be pretty miserable and boring.
• My overall health and the health of our families. Too often we take this for granted until something bad happens.

From our house to yours, have a safe, 

healthy and happy Thanksgiving

Photos from Littlethings.com, wikipedia,and wikimedia 

I am thankful for ...

This is the third and last blog post on the thankfulness meditation that helps a person realize what is important in his/her life. Today, I will focus on the last two questions.

4.      What advantages do I have, or have been given, in my life?  This can be a long list if you let your thoughts go. Some answers could include health insurance, Social Security or SSD, a pension, a good job, an education, and a strong support network. 

5.      Who are the backers in my life? 

• Who is always there for me? 
• Who always ‘has my back?’ 
• Who loves me, no matter what? 
• Whom can I always count on? 
• Who has helped me get to where I am today. 

For those of us with a disability,
this list can be substantial and include my caregiver.

(Wow, when I started this list, I was amazed how many names there were)

I hope this has been an interesting exercise. It always amazes me how we tend to become ‘stuck in the muck’ when something goes bad or in a different direction than expected. When that happens, the gratitude journal (notebook) is a wonderful resource. Just reading a few pages will help redirect your thoughts.

Gratitude is the best attitude

From my house to yours …
peace–love–health –happiness today and always

Happy Thanksgiving

Feeling 'Grateful' for what you already have

This is Part II of the Gratitude posts. In my previous blog post, I mentioned a guided thankfulness meditation I listen to that asks five questions to help focus my thoughts to be more grateful. Yesterday, I discussed what we often “take for granted.” Today, I will focus on the second and third questions the meditation guide asks.

2.      What relationships do I have that I cherish? Consider all of the beautiful people and critters (let’s not forget our pets) in your life, both present and past. If nothing else makes you thankful, the answers to this question certainly will.

3.      What freedoms, talents and unique opportunities do I have that are truly gifts to me?  This question is far more thought provoking when you consider your life, where you live, what you are able of do depending upon interests and capabilities.

This exercise is especially important for those of us living with a disability or chronic condition because far too often we tend to focus on what was taken from us.  

It is helpful to keep a gratitude journal (notebook) by your side as you ponder these questions. Often times, writing you’re answers spurs additional thoughts. And, it never hurts to review your answers when you are feeling a little down.

BTW-each time I practice this meditation new thoughts rise to the surface making me even more thankful for the loved ones in my life and the gifts, talents and freedoms I have and experience.

Tomorrow, we will explore the last two questions. 

Being grateful is more (ful)filling than turkey

Why is it so easy to focus on the negative things that are happening in our life?

Why is it so easy to forget about all the good and all the blessings that we already have?

Some might say it is only natural because we constantly seek happiness, health and financial security for ourselves for our loved ones. Others might say it is easier to focus on what we want to change in our lives than what we already have.

I am certain there are many reasons why, but when we focus on the negative, it becomes difficult to experience the joy of what we already have. Those of us living with a disability or some other hardship can find ourselves in a rut if negative thoughts wedge their way into our lives.

Fortunately, there are holidays like Thanksgiving that have a tendency to redirect our thoughts, at least for the moment. Children and grandchildren are even a greater way to redirect our thoughts.

A guided thankfulness meditation I listened to yesterday morning asked five questions to help focus my thoughts on being more grateful. I enjoyed the meditation so much that I felt compelled to write about the topic of gratitude. So, todays post is the first of three and it will address the first question.

1.      What do I take for granted?

There are several basic examples given including being alive, my breathing, my heart beating, the air that I breathe and water I drink, my sense of sight, smell, hearing, touch and taste. And, instead of just asking about the senses, I was asked to consider what each sense does for me personally. For example, I was asked to:

a.       Feel the hug of a grandchild or the lips of a loved one,

b.      Remember  how I felt the first time I heard my child’s voice,

c.       Think of a smell that brings wonderful memories. I thought of my mother’s baked bread just as it is pulled out of the oven,

d.      Close my eyes and taste a special food that my wife or mother makes better than anyone else does. I thought of goulash.  

e.       Envision a sunrise on the beach, or in the mountains that took my breath away.

Other things we often take for granted include the food we eat, the roof over our head, having heat in the winter, or perhaps even our health.

Also, how about our ability to love, empathize, learn, and teach? And let us not forget about our sixth sense–intuition, the ‘gut feeling’ we experience occasionally. We often ignore it, but it is usually right.

When we no longer take things for granted (no matter how simple or basic the gift), we experience life differently and we are rewarded with a sense of peace, wonder, amazement and gratitude.

My question for you today is, “What do you take for granted?”

Taking a moment to say, “Thank You”

It is Thanksgiving in the USA today. A tradition in my family is to take a moment before we eat to give thanks.  Keeping with that tradition …

Thank you ... every one of you ... for your strength, your support, and your perseverance.

Remember ... never lose hope. With faith and hope, all things are possible.
 

Working together we do make a difference.

The Highest Form of Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving is a time to reflect and give thanks. It is also when family and friends ‘break bread’ together. It is a time for ‘counting our blessings’.

However, this blog post is about the constant recognition that life is perfect and only our thoughts and perceptions are flawed.

I was introduced to the term ‘ceaseless prayer’ several years ago. At the time it was only a concept to me – something that I didn’t understand at all. How does one constantly pray? Perhaps I didn’t really understand the term ‘prayer’. So, I looked up ceaseless prayer recently and came across the following explanation by Guy Finley: “… the practice of ceaseless prayer … doesn’t preclude being active in life; what is required of us is that our first action is stillness, followed by a willingness to receive whatever we have been given by Life.”
 
After reading this I recognized an attribute that I had acquired over the last few years. Dozens of times each day I find myself giving thanks for all the little things in life that God has given me. Even more important, I notice that there are times where I just am at peace with myself and the world. No thoughts or words are necessary. I am not focused on any one particular thing. I am totally at peace – content –comfortable – thankful for just being alive and experiencing the beauty and perfection of life.

How can one not be thankful for this wonderful thing that we call life? Yes, it is not perfect because our concept of perfection is badly flawed. Yet, it is perfect in every way. Only our thoughts disrupt this acknowledgement and tear us away from this peaceful existence … this communion with God.

• Should having a disease without a known treatment disqualify me from this recognition?
• Should having family members going through difficult times stop me from experiencing it?
• Should discovering a blood clot in the leg make it any less real?
• Should having a bad day … things not going my way … change anything?

I don’t think so. But, it often does. Sometimes, during these special moments, the stillness is broken with thoughts, comparisons, and analysis.

Fortunately, once you have sensed this beauty and perfection, the feeling never really goes away. It can be masked (or covered up) with my being ‘back in my world’. Yet, something deep inside reminds me that, “Life is okay. It is actually perfect in every way.” And, I am at peace again.

Happy Thanksgiving

Since I will be traveling Thursday, today’s post will be my Thanksgiving message.

I have so much to be thankful for and I hope most of you will be counting your blessings come Thursday.



I have said it many times, but we live in a great country. Yes, it is not perfect, and, yes, things could always be better, but, in all of my travels, I have found the USA to be the most perfect – “imperfect” country.

On a more personal level, I am very grateful for my family, neighbors, friends and critters. Yes, our three strays are an important part of our lives because they bring us much joy. Also, I am still finding it hard to believe that I am going to be a great-grandfather in two months. Who ever thought that could happen at the ripe old age of 29.

I am thankful for my overall health because things could be far worse than just having to live with Kennedy’s Disease. It seems my evening prayers always have a long line of prayer requests for those less fortunate in regards to their health. I have said it many times, things could always be worse.

And, most importantly, I cannot imagine life without my wonderful wife. She needs to be nominated for sainthood. My wife never envisioned having to share our life with Kennedy’s Disease. This disease has taken a toll on me, on our relationship, on my wife’s freedom and on our retirement plans. Yet, like the Eveready Bunny, she just keeps going and going. She is a true blessing.

I also need to say thanks to all of you who read my articles and put up with the ranting of a mad blogger. The reason I continue to write is because of your support.

Be safe this holiday season and have a

HAPPY THANKSGIVING