blessings

Light for the Journey: Finding Gratitude in What We Already Have

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We often overlook our blessings until life reminds us that someone else would treasure what we take for granted.

“I was complaining that I had no shoes till I met a man who had no feet.” ~Confucius

“Me quejaba de no tener zapatos hasta que conocí a un hombre que no tenía pies.” ~Confucio

“我一直抱怨我没有鞋，直到我遇到一个没有脚的人。”——孔子

Reflection

Confucius’s words remind us how quickly perspective shifts when we see life through another’s eyes. Complaining about shoes feels heavy—until we meet someone who cannot walk at all. This is not a call to dismiss our struggles but an invitation to anchor ourselves in gratitude. Every breath, every sunrise, every small joy is a gift easily forgotten when we fixate on what’s missing. Gratitude doesn’t deny pain; it simply widens the lens, showing us that even amid hardship, there is abundance. To live this way is to transform complaints into quiet prayers of thanks, and scarcity into awareness of life’s hidden riches.

What simple thing in your life, often overlooked, are you most grateful for today?

Healthy Tips: Thankful Thoughts = Better Zzz’s: Gratitude’s Gift of Sleep

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Forget counting sheep. Count your blessings instead—turns out they’re better at putting you to sleep.

Healthy tip: Grateful people fall asleep faster, sleep longer, and wake up feeling more refreshed. Why? Because a mind focused on appreciation has less room for worry. Tonight, skip the midnight scroll and say thanks instead. Try this nightly ritual: as you settle into bed, say aloud or write down five things you’re thankful for that day. Let your mind rest on the good.

That’s a wrap for our gratitude tour! But wait—want to turn this into a month-long gratitude challenge? Come back tomorrow for a printable gratitude calendar.

Today’s Thought: Sunrises & Sunsets

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I’m an early riser. I enjoy sunrises and sunsets. There’s something exciting to me about seeing a sunrise. A sunrise is to me a that I have another chance. It’s a signal that there are wonderful surprises waiting for me as my day unfolds. It’s a signal that I’ve moved on from yesterday to something new and challenging. Sunsets are peaceful to me. They give me a signal that it’s time to rest and to be at peace. It’s a signal that it is time of letting go. It’s a signal that it is a time for gratitude for all the blessings that came my way during the day. A sunrise and sunset are reminders to me to pray.

Happy Mother’s Day

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May Our Lord’s Blessings Abundantly Flow to Mother’s Everywhere

Photo for Today ~Blessings

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Let Your Mom Know She Blessed You

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What if I wrote a letter to my mom (living or deceased) and recounted all the ways she blessed me? If you take time to do this for your mom or someone else you dearly loved, you will find it rewarding, You’ll rekindle special memories of good times, love, and kindness. Moreover, if this person is alive, give them the letter. It will make their day. In many ways, a handwritten letter is felt more deeply than an email or typed letter. It shows that the writer took special care to compose the letter.

Something to Think About

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Do you believe good things are coming your way? If not, why not? You deserve the best life can offer you. You may not get what you want, but with a grateful and open heart you’ll get everything you need. You were born to dance and sing and enjoy life and its blessings.

COVID-19 Is a Bummer – It Can’t Stop Good Things From Happening

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COVID-19 Is a Bummer – It Can’t Stop Good Things From Happening

Here are a few of the good things I witnessed or experienced today:

  • A neighbor stopped me as I was finishing my walk. She said she hadn’t seen me in a week and she was worried. Blessings on her. A good person. A good neighbor.
  • I don’t like to go to the store to often these days. I make due with with I have. Tonight I made pasta primavera with tofu. It was delicious. Grateful.
  • I wake up each day in a great mood and filled with hope. It’s a gift. It’s grace. Whatever it is, I didn’t earn it. Grateful.
  • We’re another day closer to a solution. Knowing we’re a day closer is enough to make me want to toss a party. One day I will toss one and it will be fun. Don’tgive up. Stay strong, keep practicing social distancing, and watch for soaring eagles. They’re a good sign.

The little things are priceless treasures to me. They brighten my day. I hope your day is filled to overflowing with the little things that make life worth living.

Grateful for all the above.

If you’d like to share the good things you’ve witnessed on my blog, Email me (ray.brese@gmail.com) a short list (1 to 5 things.  I’ll post and attribute them to you in the way you choose to be acknowledged (e.g., anonymous, name, Word Press blog (etc.).

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