If you are anything like me you need daily reminders to keep up with your list of to do's. I am infamous for making notes on any slip of paper I can find.
Reminders are good b/c they help us to stay organized and remember things we might otherwise forget. We all move so fast and try to do so much that it's easy to forget the important things that we need to do each day - some of my recent reminder notes include groceries, appointments, phone calls, craft ideas, etc. etc.
But the last couple days I have discovered that above all of these usual reminders that I find myself enveloped in on a daily basis there are three very special reminders that take precedence above all else. I am reminded to be thankful and grateful every single day no matter what....and I am reminded that I have the choice whether or not to choose joy.
I'm reading a great book called "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp and it really opened my eyes to the simple truth that to be set free from the chains that bind us in life (worry, anxiety, heartache, fear, doubt, anger, bitterness, hatred, etc.) we must begin to be thankful and show gratitude for the good things in our lives. No matter if it's only one good thing or a bunch of good things we must be thankful. That simple act alone is so powerful and transforming. Another truth I have found is that we all have the ability to choose happiness and joy or sadness and negativity. We all go thru ups and downs in life and its during those down times that we must actively seek and choose joy. We must choose to focus on the good and not the bad. It's amazing how these simple acts can transform ashes to beauty.
A great quote that I've been reading lately is from Nienie - many of you probably read her blog - http://nieniedialogues.blogspot.com/ - it's actually in her calendar for the month of April. It lifts me up and I wanted to share:
"My pain, heartache, and confusion have led me to a state of mind that all is lost, but when I look into my children's eyes I see my Savior and I know that it is not lost. It's just the beginning of a big plan for us." That sums it all up for me at this point in time in my life. When I look into the big brown eyes of my darling boy Cristian I see an ocean of hope and I am reminded to be thankful and grateful for all of the amazing blessings that God has given me.
I choose joy and remind myself to be thankful everyday for the good times and even the bad times in my life b/c it all has a purpose and it's all part of a beautiful plan even if I cannot fully understand how or why. My heart is full...and my cup runneth over. xoxoxoxoxox
