November 10, 2009

Gratitude:: day 9 of 30

golden glow

there is a light within all of us - it's the decision to make the best of a situation or to grumble, grumble and make the worse. i'm grateful that i have embraced trying to make the best of any situation - not that it's always easy or it solves it. it's just that decision helps me find the light within to see my way out of the dark place.

i used to laugh when people told me that happiness is a choice. i thought no one really understood me or got what i've been through. then suddenly it hit me like a ton of bricks. everyone has burdens and life situations that were beyond their control, that they did not choose or want, things that were heaped upon them and i realized, i was nothing special. well...you know what i mean. it meant, though my struggles were significant and real...so were many others struggles. my light flipped on.

and having the light on...it doesn't mean the situation is less than it is. nor does it mean you just sit there. it just helps me to imagine that light beaming to guide me through. seems silly maybe, but it helps.

25 comments:

  1. I agree too.....anything to help is good...well almost anything LOL!
    I believe that if we did not have "bad things" happen to us we would not appreciate the "good things" in our lives. They actually go hand in hand with that "light" helping to out weigh the bad!
    Good thoughts again Char!

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  2. What..Happiness is a choice? Whebn the hell did this happen and why didn't anyone tell me?

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  3. you continue to inspire me in so many ways char

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  4. There is definitely a light within all of us...

    xo Laura

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  5. your words hit home, as I also had to make a decision at one point, that only I could make myself happy from the inside out....with a choice to be that way....

    xoxo

    I'm so glad your light in on....

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  6. this is so true. i think many times we have to remind ourselves this.
    beautiful image!

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  7. I've thought in recent years, too, that happiness is a choice. More than just deciding to "feel" happy, we can consciously make the decisions in daily life that will steer us in that direction. :)

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  8. very true! it is something that didn't make sense to me, but what a difference it has made! it takes practice, i think. so wise here, girl!

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  9. yes, I too agree. great words of insight and gratitude.

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  10. Char, great post char, I am glad for the light. Your photo is beautiful today, I am grateful to get to see it, and to be here.

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  11. Wow...just what I needed to hear..so funny how our posts are similar today.

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  12. Bravo, bravo. I think this post is exactly right. One of my favorite quotes if from Abraham Lincoln. He said, "Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be."

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  13. Char, so wonderful! Our problems are not special...however you are. You are made for a purpose, a divine one, and your words here a part of fulfilling that purpose whatever it may be. We are not the car we drive or the spouse we have, nor are we defined by our struggles and burdens. We are defined by that in our souls that gave your those words to write and that wisdom to articulate.

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  14. I needed these words Char, thank you. I'm dealing with some group assignments for university - and am not seeing any lights at the end of any tunnels. These words remind me of my be positive ethos, thank you, thank you, thank you.

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  15. what a lovely picture!

    and life is not easy, but whaddya gonna do. trying to make the most of it is all we can do!

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  16. It does help, doesn't it? I never understood what happiness being a choice meant either.

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  17. This is why I so enjoy coming here and reading what you have to say...the light that shines through you:)...and yes I choose happiness:)

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  18. Not silly at all...I'd try & seek the light as well~
    ps: Love the pug photo in your prev post Char!
    xo*

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  19. Right on.

    I have an award for you over at my blog if you are into those :)

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  20. these words of wisdom... you put your heart out there, so honest and genuine. I value your writings and work.

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  21. i so know exactly what you mean by this. and that picture underlines it perfectly.

    xox,
    /j

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  22. I so wish that more people understood this.

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i feel as if each comment was between us as we sat and sipped something warm....i love to hear what you're thinking.