Rejoice in all things!

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“If you want to be happy, make your life one of rejoicing”  ~Unknown

I love this time of year!  The atmosphere is filled with love, happiness, rejoicing, compassion and giving.  Many are focused on the gift giving and receiving aspect while others celebrate the true meaning of this holiday.

Shortly after the 25th of December the focus turns to bringing in a new year.  Party plans are being finalized.  Sermons are being edited for the last time.  New Year resolutions are being created or recreated and time is being set aside for reflection of ones accomplishments of the past year.

Oh yes, reflection.  Reflection is a powerful and positive tool especially when it identifies your accomplishments.  A tool that leads to great rejoicing.  A tool that increases confidence and empowerment.  A tool that helps you walk taller, makes your smile brighter and raises your self-worth.

“Brave men rejoice in adversity, just as brave soldiers triumph is war”  ~ Lucius Annaeus Seneca

However, reflection is a tool that can be painful to use especially when the past year has been marred with broken relationships, job loss, or financial struggles.  In this case, some will avoid reflection and miss the opportunity to see the fullness of their growth and accomplishments.  If used appropriately and completely it will help you move past the surface of the pain or disappointment to reveal the positive aspects which will lead to rejoicing.

  • Rejoice in the broken relationships because it increases your capacity for compassion
  • Rejoice in the job loss because it will open new doors and empower you to answer your calling
  • Rejoice in the financial struggles because it will impel you to move from mediocrity to abundance

“You can complain because roses have thorns, or you can rejoice because thorns have roses”  ~ Thomas C Haliburton

As you set aside some quiet time this holiday season to reflect on 2011 spend extra time digging deep into your struggles, pain and disappointments so that you may see the fullness of your accomplishments and rejoice in them.

Rejoicing in all things – wins and losses, success and failure, joy and pain – gives you a greater sense of peace, keeps you moving forward, restores your spirit and fills you with unimaginable hope.

With much love and enthusiasm,

May You Be Blessed

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There are so many things in this life that we take for granted and sometimes we fail to stop to enjoy the wonders of our lives. It is my hope and prayer that this video helps you to reflect on the goodness in your life and to refresh your spirit.

Click on the link below to view the May You Be Blessed Movie

May You Be Blessed

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.  May you continue to be blessed and be a blessing to others.

Elaine

Kindness + Gratefulness = Love

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“Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.”  ~ Mark Twain

2003 was a difficult year for my family, especially for my young children, as we dealt with my brain tumor diagnosis.  A diagnosis that, not only sent my entire body, mind and soul into shock, but one that required me to move quickly and decisively.

In the days leading up to being admitted to the hospital I was deeply moved by the genuine concern from the teachers, staff and parents from my children’s school, my co-workers and strangers.  However, it was the overwhelming acts of kindness that were shown upon my discharge that warm my heart.  Transportation was provided, meals were delivered, my children were cared for and a home care nurse was by my side.  I am truly grateful for all of the kindness that we received.  However, there was one particular act of kindness that touched me in an unexpected way.

One morning as I was leaving home to attend my occupational and physical therapy sessions, there they were planted in my flower bed, the most beautiful and colorful flowers I had ever seen. WOW! Who remembered that I love flowers and gardening?  Who would do such a kind thing for me?  Her name is Susan.  A simple act of kindness that 8 years and 6 months later still overwhelms me with joy and gratitude.  An act that moves me to tears.  An act that I will never forget and never let my children forget.  An act that impels me to be kind to others.

There is great power in simple acts of kindness as they overshadow pain, warm the heart, and give hope.  There are a variety of ways to plant flowers of kindness that will last a life time.  Today’s technology provides us with a multitude of ways to show kindness: text messaging, emailing, tweeting, and sending e-cards.  Of course, the old fashion methods are still available as well.

“He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has”  ~ Epictetus

Gratitude moves us to focus on the goodness in our lives.  It calls us to appreciate the kindness that we have received.  Gratitude stops us from dwelling on what we think we lack and asks us to appreciate what we have.  Gratitude sets forgiveness into motion because it is virtually impossible to harbor anger, bitterness, resentment, envy, or jealously with a grateful heart.  It pushes us to step outside of our own circumstances and urges us to serve others with kindness.

When we show kindness and have a grateful heart we develop into a more loving person.  A person who does not give love based on conditions, circumstances, situations or judgements, but rather, gives love freely. with no expectations.  We come to understand that love opens the door to healing, acceptance, freedom from bondage, empowerment, and confidence.

“Gratitude is the music of the heart, when its chords are swept by the breeze of kindness” ~ Author Unknown

Today, take a quiet moment to make a list of the simple acts of kindness you have received, all of the things and people you are grateful for, and find at least 5 people to receive your simple acts of kindness.  You may never know the powerful impact of your act of kindness but you can be sure it will have a lasting one.

Peace and blessings  ~~ Elaine