Gratitude for what?

Many words to convey gratitude: 

appreciative,

grace, 

response,

thanks,

praise,

thankfulness,

return, 

tribute, 

thanksgiving.

To be grateful for all that we have been given

For kindness from those we love

A smile from a stranger

Your child's hug

The clerk's warm greeting

An unexpected call

Holding hands on a walk

Sunrise

A good day's work

Cooling breezes

Slow kisses

All is gift

Be grateful

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Technological Gratitude

I like technology.  I know there are dangers there, especially when people spend more time paying attention to their phone than the world. Or children who can't be without some gadget at all times and playing outside is a non-existent concept.  However, there's lots of good, for which I am grateful.
1.  Tools that help me organize my life and many projects.  My new one, Toodledo shared by Sarah Reinhard.
2.  Smart phones, I can listen to the daily readings on my drive to work, not get lost so often with maps in hand, and look at pictures on Instagram.
3.  The tools I use to stay in touch at work with parishioners.  Our website, e-newsletters, and Facebook all provide ways to share the Good News.

What's your favorite use of technology?

Gratitude

I am working through a 34 week Ignatian retreat.  The last two weeks have been about sin.  I had much to ponder and pray.  In some ways I felt weighed down by the focus on sin.  I don't think that was a bad thing, it just was what happened.  As I spent my day yesterday doing all sorts of things I didn't really want to do and having to listen to people who were less than pleasant, went to bed praying about how to make it better.
Since it is November, a few people on social media have been posting about gratitude and I went to sleep thinking I would do the same.  Then, this morning, I listened to the retreat presentation,  and this struck me, " this week is about gratitude and expressing it."  That was what I needed and so here is what I am grateful for since the month began:
Nov.1:  sleeping late, coffee and a book in bed, discovering new beer/ale:  a Pumpkin Ale and Angry Orchard Apple Ale, Fall weather!
Nov 2:  lunch with friends, warm afghan, Fall weather!  bridge re-opened, making my commute more direct.

What are you grateful for today?  

One third down, not done

My goals for 2014 are in front of me every time I sit at my desk.  I've been hesitant to look at them with more than a quick glance.  I'm sure I am behind since this week beings the fifth month of this year, full of auspicious goals.

Well, let's take a peek and see how I'm doing:
The following are DONE!  parish mission was a success; JDRF walk - most excellent; finished Isaiah(it's about mercy and justice people); Cursillo Encounter; prayer book and birthday cards for faith formation; cleaned out the pantry and purses; John now has a man cave and the on-line Catholic Writer's conference was great!
I've not been very good at posting on this blog or anything else related to it; my exercise plan of six days a week is closer to four,so my weight loss has slowed considerably.  My bed gets made almost everyday, but not always by me.
Ten goals have been achieved with one third of the year gone.  Clearly, I am behind.  But I am motivated, if only because I have promised people certain things would happen and I can't let them down.  And I feel a tug on my heart for a few others as well.
As I look them over I see why I put them down and am convicted that I need to do them.  I'm not sure if I am lacking in time, persistence or motivation?  I suspect it has been a combination of all three.
Some very big things are off my plate now so time should be somewhat easier to manage.  It'll all happen when it should.

The negative

Six weeks ago I began a program of improvement.  It involved an exercise program and eating plan and taking a good look at all of my commitments and deciding what to keep and what to lose.  The good news is that it is working. I wrote more about the experience over at Catholic Mom. The bad news is that I strained my left shoulder, probably on Wednesday and after sitting with frozen peas on it and taking (gasp for me) pain relievers, it feels better but not great.  My family is at a BBQ while I sit at home and ponder why I not only have a bum shoulder but a slight stomach bug.  

I know that whenever positive changes are made and I see results I simply cannot stay with those happy thoughts.  So I thought if I started to chronicle my journey a bit more it could help not only me but others who struggle with seeing the good and positive.  I am great at seeing the negative in myself.  I berate myself for not starting sooner, for having walked this road before; I focus on the negative.  I need to stop.

A brief list of positives I noticed this week in spite of hurting myself.  I wore a dress to Mass today that hasn't fit for a very long time.  Yesterday, when I was getting my hair done (wow, sounds like I am an old lady, but how else do you say that?) I noticed my face in the mirror.  I had cheekbones. 

Now I am feeling a bit attacked and wondering why my body is giving me trouble now that I am being good to it.  It might because it is not as happy with the changes as my mind or spirit.  If I think about it, why would it be happy to be made to work hard at squats and sit ups and rowing and all that sweating when it used to just sit?  Change is not easy and requires perseverance and diligence.  It would be so easy to not do anything because I feel lousy, but if I give in to that temptation it would be a quick downward spiral back to not taking care of myself.

This is my pep talk.  I am taking positive steps to improve my health and well-being.  I am doing it because I am worth it. " Do you not know that your body is a temple of the holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?  For you have been purchased at a price. Therefore, glorify God in your body (1 Cor 6:19-20)." Sometimes when I am working out I think about glorifying God and it helps me continue.   I am taking care of myself because not taking care of myself is not what God wants.  (I know, awkward construction, but you get the point)

My journey will take time; progress is more important than perfection; God knows our hearts and will guide if we listen.