Gratitude.

This morning I was listening to an audio portion from Heidi Swapp's A Year To Remember class at Big Picture Scrapbooking - it was all about gratitude. It totally hit home with me. I needed to hear her message (I am continually amazed at how things flow in just this way).


I have been super grouchy lately. Grumpy & grumbly and generally down. In a funk that has been tough to shake.


Now I know that being grateful is a really effective way to get out of feeling down. I know it. And yet, I have been wallowing in that overall yuckiness. Allowing little things to push me over the edge. Little patience. Sounds like I have been really fun to be around doesn't it? Poor Chris.


This is why I love taking classes, why I love being a student, why I never want to stop being a student: I learn stuff that helps me in my life. So thanks Heidi - thanks for telling me what I needed to hear and reminding me how very important an attitude of gratitude really is in each of our lives.


I am going to get myself out of this funk.


So here I go - here are six things I am grateful for RIGHT NOW:


1. UPS shipping. They come right to my door.
2. My Mom coming for a visit tonight & making a Costco stop for dog food for Lily & detergent for laundry.
3. Pop dots. They are making a project I am working on come together.
4. Gas dusters. I hate having dust and junk inside my keyboard and this can blows it all right out.
5. The ability to get up right now and go take a hot shower and then dress myself in a cozy sweater and jeans.
6. The generosity of people. Over 200 donations (over $6000) directly to Autism Speaks. Thank you.


Anyone else need to get over grumpiness or out of a bad mood? I think I need a bigger list or that hot shower right about now. What are you grateful for this moment?

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147 thoughts

  1. angie reese says…
    02/22/2007

    I'm grateful for........
    My husband who works hard and supportive everyday and I stay home with kids and 2 dogs.
    My new camera nikon and epson r1800 photo printer!
    Happy emails & mails from a very lady who owns a small scrapbook store which I HAVEN'T met yet! I live about 1/2 hr from her! Looking forward to meet her in spring! :)
    Sunshine warm weather!!
    YOU, Ali Edwards! ;-) all your works inspires me! And work hard for your son...congrats on autism speaks! :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. deirdre says…
    02/22/2007

    1. One son napping and other watching an old Mighty Mouse DVD, ie: computer time for me:-)
    2. A new post on Ali's blog.
    3. Warm sun in Moab today---signs of spring, alleluia!
    4. Just knowing what I'm making for dinner tonight, knowing I won't have that usually 4:45 panic.
    5. Inspiring friends
    One such friend challenged us to follow her lead with a Lentan promise. A simple gratitude journal/scrapbook sounds like the best route for me.
    Thanks for your constant inspiration!

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Dedra says…
    02/22/2007

    My husband ..although in Baghdad is safe and asleep in the middle of the night there..and I've said my prayers for him today.
    I have three beautiful healthy children and my mom loves me...no matter how much we aggravate each other occasionally.
    Acetometophin, to knockout headaches that make me an impatient shrew.

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Kathleen Loughran says…
    02/22/2007

    I am in a grumpy mood too. My hubby said some unpleasant things. I said some unpleasant things. Since then (only 20 minutes) your blog is the second thing I have read regarding gratitude. Think there is a God breeze there?

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Jen says…
    02/22/2007

    I am grateful that my sister took my kids for me for a couple of hours today. It's nice to have some peace & quiet and nice to cross a couple of things off my to-do list. Thanks for this post, Ali, it's very encouraging today!

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. jessica says…
    02/22/2007

    i hear ya! i've been in a major funk too. i think part of it is that it's finally beautiful here...in the 80s...yet i'm chained to a corporate desk indoors WITHOUT WINDOWS. gag me! but i'm thankful for lots of things despite the grumpiness!

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Charity says…
    02/22/2007

    Ali,
    It's interesting you should write about someone else giving you gentle strenghtening reminders because for the past year or so (since CKU-Chicago) I've looked to your weblog to help put a little more focus and direction in my life. I love how you remind us to simplify, enjoy and just breath. The interesting part of all of this is that the other day someone said to me she loved our visits because my laughter and silliness is contagious, and she always end up having a better rest of the day. I guess that means we all need someone and we are needed by someone. Thank you for sharing your lovely insight. I'm looking forward to hopefully meeting you at CKU-Anaheim in June! I wish you a most beautiful and spiritually happy weekend.
    ~ Charity in Arizona

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. Elizabeth says…
    02/22/2007

    I am grateful for the suffering I've experienced in my life.
    I know this sounds weird. But I truly believe that the suffering, the injustice, the personal tragedy that has happened in my family has given me the opportunity to turn evil into good--and I have CHOSEN to let beauty rise from the ashes.
    For this, I am deeply grateful.

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. Kim says…
    02/22/2007

    1. That Grey's Anatomy is on tonight.. the suspense is killing me.
    2. iTunes- I just bought a ton of new music and I am loving it. I've been be-bopping to the Wicked Soundtrack. It's great.
    3.The kiddies are quiet and occupied for a few moments.
    4. Ben and Jerry's "Vermonty Python" flavored ice cream. Coffee liquoer ice cream and chocolate cows. YUMMMM
    5. Scrapbooking kits. Saves me from going to the store and coming back with $50 worth of stuff that doesn't go together.
    Thanks Ali! I feel happier already!

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. gigi says…
    02/22/2007

    right now i'm thankful for snow...snow is falling outside my window right now & the scene is spectacular...everything gets so quiet & white...the tips of all of my evergreens look like they've been iced w/ frosting....it is just so beautiful!
    hope have a happy thursday! gigi

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Christa says…
    02/22/2007

    I'm in a MAJOR funk too. Right now I'm too grumpy to be grateful for much. Maybe tomorrow will be different.

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Kelsey says…
    02/22/2007

    i am grateful for the small things today
    1. "kisses" from my 10 month old son
    2. iced coffee from Starbucks
    3. a clean house
    4. two new girlfriends
    5. a great discussion with my husband this morning after a rough start to our day together
    6. it's thursday... that means grey's tonight
    7. homemade chocolate chip cookie dough in the fridge
    8. God's faithfulness despite my humanness

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. catherine Lucas says…
    02/22/2007

    I am grateful that I met my husband after a life threatening disease. I moved to UK for him, quit my job at the belgian newspaper that was slowly killing me. I am grateful for my new life, I am a princess in a fairy tale now. (A middle aged one, but hey, you have older princesses too)
    I am also grateful that I did not have to raise seven kids, as a single parent, 3 girls and four boys, and the four boys are autistic.
    How does she cope? Let me know Ali if you want a dvd, I recorded it...

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Lisa Jackson says…
    02/22/2007

    I'm grateful for Miss Ali. You're a breath of fresh air. Someone truly special.
    Eat chocolate. Rest. Be good to yourself.
    XOXOXOX

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Jenny Rebecca says…
    02/22/2007

    I'm grateful to have a healthy, kicking baby girl inside of me.

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. emilyruth says…
    02/22/2007

    so grateful right now....
    ~papa's pizza...they deliver right to my door too:) & because they shut down the branch in my little area of town they sent out $10 gift certificates so my lunch for the next few days cost $2.37! thank you, papa:)
    ~ a husband who doesn't mind when i need a break to get away & sometimes even offers without my asking.
    ~a little boy who wears his lightening mcqueen shirt everyday 24/7 (except when it's in the wash) look closely. it's always on. even under his other clothes, it's his little secret i tell him:)
    ~a baby girl who gives smiles so freely, it's like they don't cost a thing! oh wait, they don't! guess i should give some out too:)
    ~baby wipes, best invention ever
    ~ the office is on tonight
    ~great blogs to read & spur me on to greatness:)

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. Rachel says…
    02/22/2007

    sorry for the funk. been there done that.
    my grateful list includes:
    - there's some sunshine poking out from behind the clouds today
    - my baby is napping
    - the house is clean
    - i got a box of goodies from 2Peas today
    - ate a yum lunch with hubby
    - did i mention my house is sparkling clean? :)
    Hope your day/week gets better!
    R

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. Nina says…
    02/22/2007

    I'm grateful for:
    1. My caring, gentle & loving husband
    2. My opportunity to work doing something I love and have a wonderful relationship with my clients, who usually become my friends.
    3. My family's health and abundance of wealth in all areas of our life.
    4. Ebay and online shopping. :)
    5. My home and other material objects that make my life more convenient.
    6. My computer - since it's a portal to greater and better things, online education, blogs and inspiration. It's the best way to communicate with people I love, admire or want to learn from.
    7. My 2 cats that light up even the gloomiest of days.
    8. Green tea, exercise, chlorella, goji berries, anti-oxidants, salmon, and Omega 3's for keeping me looking and feeling younger.
    9. Chocolate
    10. TV!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Jana says…
    02/22/2007

    Such fun thinking of what I'm grateful for right this minute!
    Of course, my family is on this list, but aside from them, I'm grateful right now for:
    A wood stove that's heating my dining room & the rest of the house slowly---somewhere I can go immediately to and get warm.
    I've been able to attend 2 Salsa dance lessons on my recently sprained ankle, and it doesn't seem to be getting worse, but better!
    My new Canon XT----bliss!
    Watching The Secret dvd our friend gave us---then being amazed to see how popular it is becoming in just the week I found out about it! Learning from it how to attract what I want into my life.
    Knowing my husband is just a few steps away at work, and I can go chat with him right now if I want.
    Life truly is amazingly good---I love living here in the Willamette Valley, an hour from the ocean, 2 hrs. from the Mts., in less than 10 minutes I can go in any direction and be out of my town & in the country (by car), I can hop on a bike & be downtown in less than 5 minutes, I can walk (when my ankle is better) & be at my favorite restaurant in less than 20 minutes... I love our location!
    Wishing you lots more good things to help pull you out of your funk---it's not fun to be there!

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. Emma says…
    02/22/2007

    I am so grateful for my friends - I've received care package and so much love since surgery.
    I'm grateful that I'm recovering faster from that surgery than was anticipated. Hopefully soon I can even scrapbook again!
    I'm grateful for my sweet husband who bought me a replacement electric throw blanket because he saw me bundled up all the time and still freezing.
    I'm grateful for my insurance - in spite of all the copays I know that this injury has cost thousands upon thousands of dollars in medical costs, and I've only had to pay a few hundred.
    And I'm grateful that you let us into your life and challenge us to stop and think about these things.

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. Barb Dean says…
    02/22/2007

    Hey Ali - hope you get out of your funk soon. I totally understand the funk-ness! We have been a sick house for over a month and so ugh from it all. But at this moment I am thankful for:
    1.) the Coconut Cream pie slice i picked up at a little cafe in my town. totally calming my queezies from my pregnancy
    2.) that my house is clean today after the laides were here to clean it!!
    3.) that my son is happy watching the crazy show Boobah and not getting into a million things
    4.)that i got a cute homemade birthday card in the mail today
    5.) that its snowing out today and cold and I can feel totally comfortable at my laptop with a blanket and comfy clothes.
    I hope your funk passes...go to Jessica's blog and look at those blue skies and water...maybe that'll help!

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Michelle Baker says…
    02/22/2007

    Man, those "blahs" are hard to shake, aren't they? Especially this time of year in the Northwest. I've actually been using the full-spectrum lights...not sure if they help, but it's 15 minutes of peace and quiet in my day. :) That in itself helps, for sure! I hope you get out of that funk. Have a great day!

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. Dalne says…
    02/22/2007

    Hi Ali
    Not so good to here you have been feeling a bit low. But IT'S OK!
    I suffer from the blues as well now and then. A fail proof strategy for me to get out of that frame of mind is to do a few good deeds. I put a coin in a buskers hat, make tea for one of my collegues at work, buy cheap cute junk for my hubby that he will like or make a small wish for one of my kids friends come true.
    a) I am usually rewarded with a big smile, b) it makes me feel good about myself,
    c) it takes the focus of me for a bit and d) convinces me again that the world is a good place.
    On a previous occassion I have maintained a gratitude journal for a few months. I often in times like these read through that journal again and think what a luck girl I am.
    I am going to make a list of things I am thankful for right now.
    Warm greetings from downunder
    Dalne

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  24. sally says…
    02/22/2007

    Hi Ali,
    You just have the knack - always knowing what to say and when. Thank you for being you and just so normal, it's so easy to put people you admire up onto a pedestal, so it's great to know that we all have those "grumpy" days. I've been pretty grumpy since moving (we relocated to Florida from the Uk about a year ago), I miss my family and my friends and Blog world has so helped - especially you - you are wonderful.
    So what am I grateful for:
    1) My son and husband - they often drive me mad but I love them to bits.
    2) Virgin Atlantic/BA - they help keep this world a smaller place and regularly bring my family here (sister arrives in two weeks - yeahhhh)
    3) My family for being so supportive of our big adventure - however long it takes us and wherever we end up.
    4) The friends that I have made since moving here - truly wonderful.
    5) My son Harry's teachers - they have made this transition in his life so easy and amaze me every day with the things he is taught.
    Thank you Ali, for making me think about this - there is always a reason to be GRATEFUL!

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  25. kristin says…
    02/22/2007

    really grateful for the basics of life and my family.
    gifts from nature.
    grateful for the opportunity to create...
    grateful for the chance to go to yoga tonight...
    grateful for the change of seasons...
    grateful for that cardboard box and set of markers
    that totally has my daughter amused and happy right now
    in the kitchen.
    thanks for the uplifting post ali!

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