Posts tagged: thankfulness

Too Busy

Days 4 and 5 of the 8th segment of 10 days.

Days 74 and 75 of 100 Days of Encouragement

Well… I have been too busy and stressed with getting the One Voice Concert together. You can see more information on it at    www.one-voice.ca     There is soooooo   much work to putting together a big event. I am very grateful for all of the help that I have had. Tomorrow is the big day, and so much has come together.

 I have to tell you that the stress and exhaustion has pushed me back a little. I have actually gained a few pounds in the last 5 days. Today I am working on getting back on track, but certainly have a few challenges ahead of me. I am also in charge of all of the food for the concession stand and for back stage for all of the volunteers and musicians. Wow! So much delicious food, but there are vegetables and fruit and some healthy foods to choose from.

 I’m not sure if there is a “Real Canadian Superstore” in everyone’s city or town, but there are several of them here in Edmonton. They have just come out with these cute little mini hamburgers and mini hamburger buns. Combined they are one serving of starch and one serving of protein; about 150 calories. You can even add a slice of low fat cheese. The store has been generously helpful and sponsored much of the food for the concession.

 I am feeling grateful for many things, and have been counting my blessings, as I know that being busy and stressed can get in the way of thankfulness. I have a wonderful family, friends, followers of this blog, and there have been so many amazing sponsors for the benefit concert. The list is much longer than this, but saying thank you is a great way to get through some of the busiest and toughest times.

 Have to get going, as there is so much to do. If I miss a post tomorrow, please know that I will catch it up on Sunday. Have a great weekend everyone!!!!

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categories 100 Day Challenge | rkstar | datetime June 11, 2010 8:20 pm | comments Comments (0)

Daily Encouragement: Be Thankful, Be Happy, Someone Cares

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We’ve all heard the cliche, “It’s one of those days.” On “one of those days” , our troubles overwhelm us, God seems so ever faraway, and the Light that we should exude wanes. But there is a solution, but it’s not intuitive. Be thankful, and be happy. Before, you brush this very obvious statement aside, let’s go a little deeper. To illustrate, let me tell you about my friend, Jake.

Jake does not like to give gifts… not at Christmas, birthdays, etc…; however, he also doesn’t ask for anything as he doesn’t like getting gifts either. He can be sort of a Grinch really. But, when someone does give him a gift, an unmistakingly genuine smile grows on his face. It’s a smile of thankfulness. But why does he smile if he doesn’t like receiving gifts?

It’s easy for me to say “just be thankful and you will be happy.” But that’s overdone, and frankly kind of shallow. One should ask themselves, “Why does being thankful, generate happiness?” I will conjecture that it is because the thankfulness extends well beyond the gift or gifts. The root of thankfulness lies in the purpose of gifting. If someone doesn’t like you, are they likely to give you a gift? Probably not. Quite the opposite, people give gifts to convey a message: a message of caring, love, appreciation, acceptance, and so on. Thankfulness is realization that what you have is an expression of someones positive connection with you.

Gift = Caring = Thankfulness = Happy    —> Pretty simple math, right?

Now, hears how it works. We don’t need to just think of something we are thankful for, but also who or what is the source of what we are thankful for. At the very basic level, it’s thankfulness for God’s provision, but it’s not just limited to that. Your thankfulness can extend to your family, your friends, your spouse, your children, your co-workers, and yes, even your boss. I’m sure that you could build a list as high as the mountains.

We should certainly be thankful for the freedom bought and paid for by our soldiers who care deeply for their countrymen.

I challenge you. Find something to say thank you for, and when you do, let it remind you of the gifter and how much they care about you. When you think of it, please feel free post it here as a comment, as others could use the encouragement.

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categories Daily Encouragement | rkstar | datetime November 3, 2009 2:47 pm | comments Comments (0)