Gratitude

Practicing the art of gratitude is one of the key things to learn on your pathway to joy. Gratitude enhances a person's self concept and outlook on life. Paying attention to even the smallest things can transform emotions from negative to positive energies. When you have "one of those days," you start feeling the negative energies take hold of you and then everything seems to go wrong. The negative energies will continue to increase as long as there is more focus on the negative energy. However, once you start practicing gratitude, the energy shifts and harmony returns.

The negative energy someone else is experiencing can also influence the people around them. Have you ever been in a line waiting for the cashier and there is someone that is grumpy because of the long line and wait? Soon you can visibly see the others in the line getting restless, irritated and agitated.The cashier's attitude starts to be effected by the negative energy as well and the frustration mounts. The wait seems longer as things seem to happen such as no bar code, or a spill, etc. Even the apologies from the cashier are greeted with angry looks or comments. When one person positively acknowledges the situation and says something in gratitude or presents even a simple smile, suddenly the positive energy shifts the environment. The cashier's tension visibly decreases. The frustration, impatience, and anxiety diminish. Things start to flow smoothly again. It is amazing how a simple smile and thank you can be so powerful in these situations. Try it the next time you are in a similar situation and watch the magic occur. Remember to try and put yourself into that person's shoes and note how you would like to be treated

Be observant in your environment. When it is a cloudy day, look at the clouds and notice the beauty of the various formations. When it is raining, observe the raindrops and how they are absorbed into the thirsty ground for nourishment. When it is snowing, be aware of the miracle of each individual flake. When it is a sunny day, notice the warmth and brightness that allows plants and flowers to grow. When it is windy, pay attention to how the birds play in the drafts floating effortlessly. Be grateful for these wondrous miracles that surround each of us every day.

As you become more aware of the beauty that surrounds you on a daily basis, it becomes easier to see the positive of various situations that you may face. Look at each individual as a special unique person and yet know that we are all one in this world. We are all connected and face similar challenges of life. Start truly "seeing" with your heart and appreciate this uniqueness as well as the oneness in each person.

*Practice saying thank-you to all you come in contact with in this world.
*Practice saying thank-you to the beauty of nature.
*Practice saying thank-you to yourself for the wonderful person that you are in
this world.
*Practice the art of gratitude.

The Chrysalis

The Chrysalis (similar to a cocoon) is formed by a caterpillar in preparation for a transformation into a beautiful butterfly. When a person has the possibility of a diagnosis of cancer the immediate reaction is one of intense fear and they enter their own type of Chrysalis at that time. The unknown darkness of the Chrysalis surrounds you and invites a deep self-reflection for the transformation to begin. As you move through the treatment process, know that the Chrysalis is actually a safe and secure place. When one is inside this Chrysalis it nurtures you while at the same time the mending, repairing and healing of the body occurs. It is time to surrender to the past distractions i life and learn the value of your being. Allow yourself this time to become healthier. The time inside the Chrysalis is a gift to know the importance of embracing the beauty of who you are as a person and not just the physical body. It allows you to create a healthier outlook on life and know the importance of taking care of yourself. Even though it is hard to see inside the darkness, the changes are happening physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. You will emerge from the darkness of the Chrysalis into a bright light bringing new beginnings.

As you come out from the Chrysalis you will look at all of life differently. You will understand the significance of seeing a beautiful butterfly flying freely without the distractions of the past. You are now an enlightened person, knowing that you have been transformed into a beautiful, courageous, and powerful human being. The celebration of new beginnings with your expanded knowledge of who you are as a person will help you to passionately enjoy life to the fullest.

Just One Day

Spring is a wonderful time of year.
The flowers are blooming and the birds are singing.

In just one day I saw in my backyard....

*Numerous hummingbirds busily dancing between the flowers in the garden and the sugar water feeders

*Goldfinches clinging confidently to the swinging bags in the trees full of their favorite, Niger seed

*Brightly colored yellow Orioles and their babies with their warning cackle and whistle int he trees preparing for a quick sip of sugar water from their orange feeders

*Cedar Waxwings arriving together in a chorus of high pitch whistles in the neighbors Mulberry tree full of freshly ripe fruit

*Grossbeaks not to be mistaken as an Oriole but just as brightly colored with more of an orange and patterned wings, foraging for their favorite sunflower seeds and enjoying the Mulberries as well

*Blue Jays announcing their arrival and trying to hold as many peanuts as they can in their beaks before taking off to find that special hiding spot

*A Mockingbird flashing the white spots on its wings as it tries to scare the other birds from the fresh fruit berries

*A baby Robin with it's red breast and yellowish beak learning from its parents how to pluck a berry from the tree

*Black Starlings zip in not very gracefully to grab whatever fruit or seed is available before bulleting off again

*Bush Tits suddenly appear with their small peeps to check out the various bushes for their favorite small bugs

*Towhees that I like to call Peepers, peep merrily around the yard as they calmly forage for bugs

*A Western Tanager with it's brightly colored orange head and yellow body sneaks into the Mulberry tree to feast on fresh berries

*A Woodpecker rhythmically taps out a beat in another tree ignoring the other birds following her

*Ring turtle doves and Mourning Doves appear hoping to quietly eat some see, unseen

*A black Crow flies overhead but does not stop

*Varieties of baby birds closely follow their parents with the cry of hunger, pestering them until they finally give in and feed them

*A House Wren sings merrily in the trees, flitting its tail preparing to feed the babies in their nest

*An assortment of House Finches flock to the bird feeder, the bird bath, and the ground kicking up dust as they take their dust baths

*Quietly a Hawk flies over the backyard and suddenly there is chaos, the birds all fly to safety and some sing their warning cry to others

As the danger of the hawk subsides, one by one the birds start flying back to the yard to once again enjoy the harvest of food and share their beauty....even in just one day.