52 WEEKS OF THANKFULNESS

By Bernadette

52weekw

BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD.

This Monday post became a Tuesday post this week due to the holiday.

I believe in the power of positive group energy.  Perhaps if enough of us join together we can change the negative climate that exists and is overtaking our planet.  Together we can move our fellow citizens of to a better, higher and finer place.

I hope that by writing these posts that we will move together beyond thankfulness into appreciation.  Because appreciation for the moments and things for which we give thanks requires us to be mindful of our lives.  One of the “mantras” that the great Vietnamese activist and teacher, Thich Nhat Hanh, has written about in his book, The Art of Communicating, is: “I know you are there”.

At the end of the post you will find a link up frog and I hope you will join me on this venture and once a week write a post and link up to others and share what you are thankful for this week.

This holiday weekend my youngest son came to visit.  It has been a long time since we have come together as a family.  I was overwhelming thankful for this very rare opportunity.  But how did thankfulness become appreciation this weekend.  I think for me by taking the time to follow Thich Nhat Hanh word’s of wisdom to pay attention to the person in front of me, to let that person know that “I know you are there”.

THINGS THAT CAUSED MOMENTS OF APPRECIATION 

  • Talking to my son about his visit with his brother who is severely brain injured.
  • Watching my daughter-in-law, despite her discomfort, treat everyone with loving kindness.
  • Watching the entire family, brothers, fathers, sons, grandfathers and grandson, just enjoy a lot of laughter over the game of bocce.

bocce

Wishing you many moments of appreciation this week,

bernadette

BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD.  SHARE YOUR STORIES OF THANKFULNESS AND APPRECIATION.

I am sharing this post today with my friends over at TWO WRITING TEACHERS.

Every Tuesday Two Writing Teachers provide an opportunity to share your writing.
Every Tuesday Two Writing Teachers provide an opportunity to share your writing.

 

About Bernadette

I live in the small town of Haddonfield, NJ. I am at an age in my life when I seem to spend time thinking and musing about life. These musings are usually stimulated by my walks through Haddonfield, my reading of books and fellow bloggers, and my interaction with my group of fabulous family and friends.

17 Responses

  2. Still the Lucky Few

    I have read Thich Nhat Hanh for years, and have a coaster with those very words inscribed on it—Be the change you want in the world—It sits on my coffee table, and reminds me of that very important message every time I sit there. So glad you had such a beautiful family visit, Bernadette!

    Liked by 1 person

  4. cvarsalona

    Bernadette, it is a wonderful feeling to appreciate our family and friends. Independence Day is the perfect time of year to be filled with the American spirit and gratitude for what we have. Thanks for sharing with us. I decided to share my post at your link-up.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Inese Poga Art plus Life

    That’s certainly nice you have family around you. I have only husband here and everybody else, including my daughter, mom, sister, grandchildren, etc. is overseas in Latvia, Europe. I am in the middle of these lengthy treatments, it didn’t go too well today, but I have to decrease my anxiety attacks, and hopefully tomorrow is better already. Well, and I will be grateful most likely if the surgery goes well and I won’t need the second, more extensive one. I was reading your post and thinking how lucky you were. Well, we all have ups and downs, and it has just happened so that the last 3 years have been total downs. Once I will be better, I hope to get my life back.
    I’m not a positivist, although, I recognize the immediate need for positive changes. I’m a realistic optimist. To achieve a better planet we should start with global things because otherwise there won’t be any planet in some 50 years. I am strictly against consumerism since it drives depletion of natural resources. You are right saying that everybody has to start with themselves.

    Like

  8. lisaorchard1

    We were on the same page with our posts, Bernadette! I talked about us paying it forward to change the negativity of our planet, and here you are talking about extending kindness and being grateful changing the climate. Great minds think alike! 😉

    Like

  9. arjeha

    Having spent some family time myself this weekend I echo your words, Bernadette, it is truly something to be thankful for and appreciative of when everyone takes the time to come together. Joy and happiness just fill the space. How truly important it is to let people know that, “I know you are there”.

    Liked by 1 person

  13. watchingthedaisies

    Thank you Bernadette, what a great reminder about the power of love. I have managed to get past your frog and join you in your thankfulness posts, with the help of wi fi . The previous Internet connection was too slow. My post goes out on Saturday next titled Simple Pleasures feed Contentment.

    Like

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