Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Year's End by Angie Ledbetter

I'm sad in a way that our Year of Gratitude has come to an end, but happy I've had this opportunity to express the good, bad and ugly of daily life with a huge dollop of gratefulness on top of each "dish" served up to me this past year.

By spending so much time writing/thinking about, and steeped in being grateful, I hope the attitude has become an ingrained habit that will rest on my shoulders like a soft beautiful shawl for life. No matter what comes (and especially if it's bad, hurtful or sad), I think the lessons I've learned will continue to take away some of the chill. I hope I have added to the uplifting perspectives and interesting views of my fellow YOGgers.

I'll leave you with these thoughts, as I once and for the last time publicly, count blessings brought about by a year of focusing on being grateful:

  • Above all, I've realized life is all about how you choose to see things.
  • Rain will inevitably spoil the parade now and then, but grateful, joyful thinking makes one heck of an umbrella.
  • Gratitude is contagious.
  • Gratefulness is not only a state of mind, but a way of living.
  • When things are at their worst, a dose of gratitude can change things around, or at least assure you that tomorrow is definitely a new day.
  • Gratitude begets more gratitude.
  • Focusing on the goodness of life increases joy and health.
  • Thankfulness can bring people who have nothing (or very little) in common together.
  • It is just as easy to be glad as sad.
  • Perspective is an awesome and powerful thing.

I will always remember 2008 as the Year of My Gratitude. Thank you, Barb, Kathryn, Patresa and Nannette, for sharing your company and thoughts with me.

May all we've learned by concentrating on gratitude never be far from our hearts and minds.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

The blog has been a lot of fun. The points you mentioned are all true. The positive mindset is hard to maintain unless we work at it.
Oren

Barbara Quinn said...

A fine summation of a fine year of gratitude together. It's been an amazing help to turn to these posts each day and I'm glad we have these words and memories.

patresa hartman said...

woo hoo! well said, ms. angie. :)

Angie Ledbetter said...

So true, Oren. You're a friend I'm truly grateful for.

Me too, Barb. It was especially illuminating to me on the days I'd rather have done almost anything than feel grateful. :)

Hugs to you, Patresa.

Anonymous said...

Auld Lang Syne......

It's been wonderful, my friends.

P- you have the last word - no pressure here *laugh*

Ami said...

Thanks to all of you for sharing your gratitude over the last year. I came late, but have enjoyed every gracious moment with you all. You've helped to remind me that gratitude makes life sunnier and fuller and more beautiful. Who could ask for more than that?

Angie Ledbetter said...

Ami, so glad you joined us for the "ride." And you're right. Nobody can ask more than that!

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