This year has been a difficult one for me and I know it has been for many other people as well. It started off full of promise and then early in the month our Rose from the Down to Earth forum passed away and then a family member died the following day. Other sad events made January a not-to-be-forgotten month and that seemed to set the tone for the rest of the year.
As if that wasn't enough an old friend from back in the 1970s died from cancer in September which was a shock as I hadn't realised she was so unwell. I didn't see her all that often as she lived quite a distance away and when we wrote to each other she would never say how she was after having treatment for cancer years ago. If I had known I would have flown up to see her to say goodbye.
Sometimes all the sad things that happen can make life seem quite overwhelming and it is easy to forget it is a normal part of life and that we still have much to be thankful for particularly if we live in such a beautiful country like Australia and I know many of my readers are from the Northern Hemisphere where life is also good compared to many other countries.
So it was timely that Margy, our Simple Living Toowoomba co-ordinator recently started up a website called Give Thanks Find Joy (by the way this is not part of our simple living group in any way). Margy has put together a collection of resources about the practice of gratitude.
She has links to articles, videos, books and websites so if you need encouragement in your daily life this would be a great place to visit and spend some time and I am sure you will come away feeling refreshed.
One of the articles on Margy's site is How to Start a Gratitude Jar which I think is fantastic. I first heard of these on Pinterest a while back and, as you can tell from this Pinterest page they are very popular. These would be great for families and, if my grandchildren lived closer, I would make one for them.
So do check out Give Thanks Find Joy and I am sure you will be inspired.
sending my love and thank you for sharing Margy's site which will be a healing balm to so many people
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Hi Sue, good to hear from you. Yes, it will be very encouraging to a lot of people I am sure.
DeleteThanks for the link to Margy’s site. I’ve just had a quick look and there are some great resources and wonderful book recommendations.
ReplyDeleteLove the gratitude jars too.
Glad you like it, Kylie. I need to spend more time there as well.
DeleteOh Chel, what a rough year. Lots of hugs to you.
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Nil
Thanks Nil. Some years are like that.
Deletesorry to hear the year has been rough, should've realized something was up with your soaps not behaving themselves
ReplyDeletehope you feel better soon
thanx for sharing
Ha ha Selina, I am not sure there is any connection but you never know :-)
DeleteThe end of life is difficult to fathom, but always makes me more appreciative of life. Sorry you've had to accommodate so much loss.
ReplyDeleteChris, I am the youngest in my family and my two surviving siblings are 11 and 9 years older so it is interesting and sobering seeing their health deteriorate in their late 70s and early 80s.
DeleteMy husband is the youngest in his family, at 43, and his eldest sibling is 67. We've already said goodbye to his father prematurely, due to cancer. I don't look forward to having to say any more goodbyes. On the bright side though, I had another visit from my mum's 97 year old friend, today. He always seem so spry and happy. :)
DeleteThat is a big age difference, Chris. I thought 11 years was a big difference. However my nephew is 20 years younger than his oldest sibling. I had forgotten that. My mum was still going strong at 97 too.
DeleteChel it's been a rough year for you, and hopefully things are better in the coming year. I'm sure you will be thinking of all the things you are grateful for though. Thanks for sharing the links, they are beautiful. Many many years ago I was touched by Oprah's five things to be grateful for every day. I look back at those diaries and read of what I wrote during that difficult time in my life when living and working in a third world country. There was so much that desperately needed doing but I didn't have the resources to do it all or to save all the lives. Being grateful for the small things really did change my life and now I spread the word about practicing gratitude.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it amazing Sally...many people have told me that those in third world countries are so cheery despite their poverty.
DeleteThank you for sharing your heart. Thank you for sharing links. I have also had a unique year. Thankfulness does increase our hope.
ReplyDeleteYes you have had some challenges too, Chrissy. I hope next year is not quite so challenging for both of us :-)
DeleteWhat a rollercoaster of a year for you, Chel. It's just tough sometimes! That finite lifetime we all share is something I never really paid much heed to until I lost a friend to breast cancer several years ago now. Her journey was a difficult one but it made me realise that time itself is a wonderful gift. Meg Xxx
ReplyDeleteMeg, I have lost a brother and two friends who died from cancer at the age of 62. When one gets older you realise that 62 really isn't that old so it is very sad to lose them so early.
DeleteSending you love and hugs, Chel. Take care. xx
ReplyDeleteThanks Rhonda. Big hugs to you too as I know how much you miss Rose.
DeleteSo sorry to hear of your 'rough' year Chel. Life does throw curved balls at us doesn't it. Like you say, sometimes having a "rough" time, or knowing someone who is, makes us grateful for what we have. Thanks for the links to Mary's website, I am always looking for sites like this and will pass this onto others I know who work in the mental health field. May 2018 bring you nothing but joy. Cheers Lyndie
ReplyDeleteThanks Lyndie. Some years are better than others I guess. I hope you like Margy's website. It is very inspiring.
DeleteSympathy for your rough year. Sorrows are part of the human condition I guess and the valley that we walk through one day makes the mountain more beautiful the next. A friend told me recently that we should be grateful when we have these kind of sorrows as it means we had friends and loved ones. Doesn't make it easier though - prayers for comfort.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right, Kathy. We have to take the challenges with the good times.
DeleteOverall this has been a difficult year here too. We had the great blessing of a new Granddaughter. And we achieved two big household projects. But the first half of the year I had one bad thing after another health wise (also bites), times of unemployment, a house messed up by renovations and several really big family situations that were very stressful. Now we are up in the air too with maybe we are moving to the country and maybe not! So it has been quite a hard year. I know I need to focus on our blessings and keep doing what I can to more my health and keep things going. Bring on 2018! xxx
ReplyDeleteYes Annabel, it has been a challenging year for you as well but I am pleased you have found a solution to all the pain you experience. I won't be surprised if you move to the country. LOL!
DeleteSending love, hugs and prayers Chel, here's to a great 2018 xx
ReplyDeleteThanks heaps, Chookasmum. Much appreciated.
DeleteLove and hugs, Chel. I've had times when I made a habit of thinking of one good thing a day, to be thankful for, to lighten my frame of mind. Little things all add up. Wishing you lots of good things starting from today. XO
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