Beautiful Morning, Winter's Day,

Tuesday 21st of June

Hmmm just realised that this is probably the shortest day of the year! Perhaps that is something that I need to consider when I reflect on today.

When I got up today (pretty late for me) at seven am, I made breakfast, did some washing, washed the dog, helped my daughter with an assignment, did the dishes, hung out the washing and then realised it was time to run off to my classes. In all the happenings this morning I totally forgot to actually take my (now all day suffering) dog on his morning walk. And actually I still haven't today. His eyes say it all *sigh*

Then even though college was interesting, I really didn't fully feel like I was there.

And then there was my meeting tonight. I have been losing weight or that is struggling with my mental state, for years now. I recently (in the last three years) lost approximately 40kg, only to take my  friend and daughter to a local meeting, and instead of continuing to lose weight, I have put some back on. Now I know it's all about my mental attitude, and that is part of the reason why I am trying to stick to this gratitude thing. I think that I need to realise that I'm ok, I have what I need, and want, and that the negative thoughts in my head are only that... thoughts... I have control over those thoughts, and as such I can chose to be depressed about it all, or get on with the gratefulness of the day... so here goes

Winter Solstice - a time of turning around, a time of new beginnings and reflection of the past year. So lets have a look at that and be grateful!

The past year has been amazing. So many changes in my life, including a new path at studying something which I kinda always have been interested in, but I guess I didn't know what that was until I talked with a teacher! My studies have so far been absolutely amazing. There is so much I want to know and learn, and I am almost chomping at the bit, but still holding back seeing that I know that if I do too much, I will not do so well.


So I am grateful for the study opportunities I have been offered, and that these studies are helping me to learn about myself. I am grateful that I am being able to work on my own thoughts and the knowledge to better myself too.

Tomorrow is the start of a new year as such, with days becoming longer once again, so I think too my resolve to change my thoughts into more truthful and positive thoughts. And so I am also grateful that I am aware enough of the opportunity for me to do so. 

Monday 20th June - Gratefulness is wonderful

Oh so many things today that I am grateful for.

Firstly, it was such an amazingly wonderful day today. Blue sky, fresh air, and my dog mostly behaved when we went to the park today. I am slowly learning how to train him, using his favourite things as rewards. He is again being more friendly towards other dogs, and we really had a great walk.

After my fairly long walk, I then took my daughter to Tafe so she could see one of her teachers. She is amazing you know... and I am so happy for her that she has almost finished her studies and will be up and working soon in her chosen profession. I am so grateful that things worked out for her so well, that she is achieving so much, when I really didn't know what life would hold for her.

I am also grateful for having a lovely day at College. I am always learning new things, not only about the subject that I am studying, but about myself too.

And I'm grateful for a most delicious dinner of Govinda's most delicious vegetarian dinner.

This gratefulness thing isn't really hard. I think the hard thing is when I'm having a bad day, and I still would like something to be grateful about. But perhaps that is the most important time to find something to be grateful about! I guess we'll just wait and see.

Happiness and it's causes

So here I was - spent two days at the "Happiness and it's causes" seminar, and I got so much out of it. One thing I really wanted to implement straight away, which was to think of something grateful every day and write it down. So that was last week. I haven't actually written anything down, but my outlook has already changed! So.... let's start

Day 1 - Friday 17/06
I'm grateful that I have Marley in my life, he's always happy to see me, grateful for a walk, and likes to play silly games with me. He keeps my going outside even when I don't feel like it. He licks my face and cleans my tears away, and even when he has that doggy smell, he is still cute.

Day 2 - Saturday 18/06
I'm grateful that I have an awesome family that allows me to be what I want to be.
I can work part time and do my study, and still have someone else cook me dinner sometimes :) I get my washing done, and my daughter is usually very helpful in doing dishes etc too.

Day 3 - Sunday 19/06
I'm grateful that I could go to the Northey street markets and experience some wonderful fresh fruit and vegetables, and meet some great people. I tasted some nice food, and bought some lovely fresh fruit and vegetables! I'll definately do that again!!!
I'm also grateful that the guy who was tailgating me didn't end up running up the back of me :)