Gratitude - Week 33

February 12, 2017

"If it does not nourish your soul, get rid of it."

Week 33 - (February 5 - February 11)

After years of accumulating items which I had deemed necessary at the time, I eventually discovered this baggage generated little joy, an epiphany that trickled in slowly as I recognized how these "things" were an attempt to fill the gaping hole in my heart.

Unraveling grief is a consuming and emotional journey into a darkness you cannot escape regardless of the alcohol, food or purchases you consume, grief has no relief. But oh how I searched with each stage demanding its own voyage. A path of self-discovery that cannot be ignored, although I often tried.

It was not until I began releasing the notion that things could fill the grievous parts of my life, traveling through the sadness instead of around where I began to uncover gratitude. Discovering pieces of grace provided something to grasp, a tangible heirloom of the love in my heart, an invitation to forgive these constraints.

In order to practice mindfulness, I needed to unravel the pain and examine it in new ways, without distractions like purchases, food or any other fill in the blank to act as a medicine while surrendering what no longer serves me.

Beginning with mindful purchases, and trial and error practice, when thoughts tried to convince me otherwise, I began to recite, does this speak joyfully to my soul?

Penning my pain into journals and stories, letters to Ryan or my father on how I was attempting to survive and surrendering to the emotions allowed it to unravel any myths I had gathered. A relief providing space to breathe and the grace to understand the gifts of love and life that I had been given.

From the list...

Week 33: Something you look forward to...

Well that was a little too easy! My grandaughter <3

If you are just starting to follow #52weeksofgratitude you can start HERE #gratitudechangeseverything

Week 1	Week 12	Week 23	Week 34	Week 45
Week 2	Week 13	Week 24	Week 35	Week 46
Week 3	Week 14	Week 25	Week 36	Week 47
Week 4	Week 15	Week 26	Week 37	Week 48
Week 5	Week 16	Week 27	Week 38	Week 49
Week 6	Week 17	Week 28	Week 39	Week 50
Week 7	Week 18	Week 29	Week 40	Week 51
Week 8	Week 19	Week 30	Week 41	Week 52
Week 9	Week 20	Week 31	Week 42
Week 10	Week 21	Week 32	Week 43
Week 11	Week 22	Week 33	Week 44

Comments

February 14, 2017 @ 1:09 PM EST

By Kathee

Thank you for your loving words. Going through the darkness is not an easy thing to do, but making that choice is the first step into the darkness. We can not forget the past, we can forgive it. Gratitude is so easy to give, so easy to find, but so many times we pass it on by. I travel through the darkness with you but when you find the light it is such a blessing.
February 13, 2017 @ 10:05 AM EST

By Beverly McComb-Davies

Looking forward to Spring!! Love and prayers, hugs and kisses as you look forward to your precious "bundle of joy!"