Reminders from God...

There are rewards for parenting, for maintaining patience, tenacity and strength, for sharing compassion, wisdom and love. Rewards beyond the satisfaction of making it through another day, witnessing great accomplishment or acts of human kindness in your children. Those moments are rewarding to be sure but are largely self generated. You get out of it, what you put in to it. That is the beauty of parenthood, your commitment to the project is mirrored in the person you send out into the world each day. Perhaps that is why we struggle so hard to get it right. We know we are not making a difference today but that today's decisions have the power to make a difference tomorrow and the next day and all the days that follow. The job is molding human beings who will either take what the world has to offer or give of themselves to make it a better place. That's a tough job.

We get wrapped up in the seriousness of it so much sometimes that we forget to laugh. We forget and out of the blue something fabulous happens. Something like the breaker blowing on the circuit that controls the bathroom outlets. There are no words that capture the horror in a teenage girl's voice when she thinks a beauty appliance has died. With a tripped breaker they are all dead. That is a show worth popcorn and goobers!

Gratitude today to God for his cleaver sense of humor. For reminding me to laugh. That joke is not going to be nearly as funny if it happens again today but yesterday it was brilliant. Thanks you!

Grateful Thursday...share your gratitude with the outside world... post, comment or tweet...lets share our reasons to smile!

Michelle

Thursday...Your Turn @ The Table

It is very early in the morning, I've just toasted the sunrise with my second steaming cup of coffee. Upstairs I know there is a child sleeping who is not feeling well today, one with sore muscles from a day of track and field and one who did not sleep well last night thinking about all that today will hold. There is rustling in the bedroom above me, Mike getting ready for another day of work. The dog has convinced me that breakfast before 6am is a great idea and is celebrating his victory by sharing his kibbles with the cat.

Gratitude today for the calm before the storm.

It's Thursday, time to get around the table and ask everyone to share...add a comment tell us what you are grateful for today.

Gratitude, Hope and Smiles are meant to be shared,
Michelle

Grateful Thursday

Grateful Thursday has arrived, around here we call it Your Turn @ the Table. On Twitter we use the tag #GratefulThursday, on Facebook we just say "Hey, what are you grateful for today?"

Wherever you are joining in and however you choose to recognise your grateful, sharing is the important part. Sharing inspires others to look for the 'good' in their own day, wear a smile and pass it on.

I have some smiles to share this week, many little reasons to BE Grateful...

• E learned that his class would be welcoming a new learner. A little girl who speaks only Mandarin. My heart burst when he declared that he needed an "app" to learn Mandarin. Being able to make her feel welcome with a friendly hello delivered in her own language was very important to him. This week we learned that Nǐ Hǎo (pronounced; Knee-how) means hello and wǒ jiào (pronounced: whoa jow) means My name is.

• Lula and KJ have worked out a unique way to over come their squabbles. I called home to check in on them following a heated after school encounter. "We're all good now mom" I heard. "It was rough there for a bit but then I mooned her... she laughed... we're good."

• Michael's enthusiasm for enterprise and making things work is being rejuvenated with his part-time business adventure. It's so nice to see him light up over something again.

• There is a very nice lady named Candace who runs a little place called Pleasantville. She lets me write for Best Tools for Schools and makes me smile with her kind review of same. If you have never been to Pleasantville you should go there sometime, it's very nice. Maybe we can meet there next week while I'm visiting. (Oh, and Candace that MEME thing is still on my desktop, pics picked, posts written - blogs to pass along to is tripping me up- but I'll get there!)

• I drank soy milk and did not die.

• The dog's cone of 'no lick yourself' has saved a great deal of my house from being chewed and quite likely the cat's life the other night.

• E won some great new teeth at school during a Diabetes awareness activity - I love them - that is all

• I am watching a friend's life restore to balance and harmony - that is a very nice thing to witness.

• My health and fitness are improving every day - up to 10km on the elliptical, blood pressure is dropping steadily, I seem to have misplaced my Muffin top along the way.

• The very nice folks at @WelkerandAssoc have shared my stories in their Community Chronicle along with some very fine writing company. A big thank you for that, it's always a nice surprise when what you write rings a bell with someone and they pass it along.

• A dear one received news this week. Not the news she wanted but not the devastating news everyone was anticipating - that's a pretty remarkable thing, not everybody gets so lucky.

There is more, there is always more. That's what I love about gratitude, it is one of those rare things in life, like love, it multiples as you give it away.

Your turn @ the table....Leave a comment, post a #GratefulThursday tweet, change your Facebook status, tell the girl in the coffee drive thru window that you appreciate her. Share your Gratitude today. I promise it will make someone's day...maybe even your own :)

Aren't they great!

Michelle

Happy Women's Day - A Question

Happy International Women's Day!

This is a day for all women - not just the famous or the oppressed, not only the ones who make a grand difference but also the women who make an everyday one. This is a day to appreciate the women who have led us here and the leadership role we hold for the women coming up behind us. This is a day to recognise the ability we have to affect change in our world.

This is a day to consider the woman you aspire to be, because that is a unique trait of women, we are continually aspiring to 'be'.

In celebration of International Woman's Day I want to ask...Who is the woman you aspire to be?

Michelle

Your Turn @ The Table

Gratitude today that a Cancer diagnosis is not always a death sentence. Sometimes it's just a wake up call. Grateful my friend that you received good news from the Doctor :)

Thursday....Your Turn @ The Table.... What are you GRATEFUL for today? share, comment tweet #gratitudethursday, update your status, text a friend,  tell the world...inspire hopefulness

Gratitude, Hope & Smiles are meant to be shared
Michelle

Thursday...Your Turn @ The Table

The first Thursday of 2012, the first Your Turn @ The Table of a brand new year. A quick explanation in case you are new to visiting The Space; We share Gratitude around our table everyday in our home, (The Backstory) Thursdays are the day we like to get around the table in TSBR and ask you to share your Gratitude. You can post a comment with your Gratitude, tweet your gratitude (hashtag #YourTurn@TheTable) Some people email their Gratitude or change their facebook status to one of Gratitude. The important thing is to share, how you want to do it is up to you.

Let's get started!

Today I am Grateful for the 'Housecoat Fairy' Every morning I wake up, reach into the closet and put on my housecoat. Every morning it is hanging there, despite my leaving it in the bathroom the day before. (or on the bedroom floor or flung over the rocking chair) I probably don't say thank-you enough for the everyday 'little things' so today 'Housecoat Fairy' you are my Gratitude.

Your Turn.....What is your Gratitude?

Share it however you like then pass the turn to someone else - ask them to share.

Gratitude, Hope and Smiles should never be kept to yourself.

Michelle

Thursday...Your Turn @ The Table

"Just because a person smiles all the time, doesn't mean their life is perfect, that smile is a symbol of hope & strength."

 

I stole that line from a Tweeter. Usually I am against theft but this line really touched me. There is a general suspicion about people who are happy, as though society finds it so impossible that someone can actually BE happy. The automatic assumption is that happy, smiling people are hiding something, that people with a positive approach are less than genuine.  

 

Ever come across someone in shock? Have you ever had to remind someone to breath? We do this with kids all the time. When they come in the house sobbing so hard that they can't get their words out to tell us what is wrong. We look them straight in the eye and calmly tell them to "breath." They breath, the story comes out and we can work on the solution.

 

Smiling is a kin to breathing, sometimes you have to be reminded to smile so that you can work on the solution. It's a take on the Chicken and the Egg theory, which came first; the happiness or the smile?

 

A smile is hope, a smile is strength. A smile gives you a place to start when you feel like its all over. Gratitude today for the power of a smile and to the tweeter who shared such a great message. Especially yesterday, when I found out that yet another friend has been handed the challenge of battling Cancer. I will think about strength and hope when I see her smile.

 

Thursday...Your turn @ the table.....What are you Grateful for today? Share your gratitude here, with your friends, change your status, tweet it around. The the day you change might not be your own.

 

:) Michelle

 

Thursday...Your Turn @ the Table

It's Thursday...Your Turn @ the Table! What will you be GRATEFUL for today?

I am grateful for the people I encounter who restore my faith in the world, inspire me to push past my own fears and make me laugh. 

What are you Grateful for today?

Thursday...Your Turn @ the Table

Happy Thursday!

Today I am Grateful for...

Veterans

The Canadian Legion

Movember

Naturally occurring life lessons

Community volunteers

An extra hour sleep

Lunch already made in the fridge

Grass not Snow

Quiet rooms

Share your Gratitude....it's Thursday your turn @ the table.

Thursday...Your Turn @ the Table

Good Morning! Time to get around the table and share some Gratitude.

Today I am grateful that it is National Men Cook Dinner Day. Mike says there are too many 'National Days of.....whatever." I think restaurants are grateful it is National Men Cook Dinner Day too!

Your Turn.... What are you Grateful for today?

Thursday...Your Turn @ The Table

Thank you for all of the Great Gratitudes that were mailed, posted and tweeted last week. The table was huge and people were Grateful for everything from Coffee Mate and Late Buses to Cancer Treatments and Homeless Shelters. I can't wait to hear what people are Grateful for this week.

To get us started this Thursday...a Gratitude from Lula...

• "I am Grateful that the art teacher missed recording a whole assignment. That's the fastest I've ever gone from a 60 to a 90! I feel better now."

Your turn @ the table....What are you Grateful for today?

Update your facebook status, post a comment, send an e-mail, and Tweet your Gratitude!

• I am Grateful for Italian food & Champagne and sisters who know how to make your day :)

Thursday...Your Turn @ The Table

Welcome to Thursday!

I am Grateful for support...from family, friends, co-workers, teachers...we all need it sometimes. Gratitude to my life support team today.

and umbrellas, I am Grateful for umbrellas. and coffee.

Thursday...your turn @ the table. What are you Grateful for today? share a comment, send an message, post a tweet

Thursday...Your Turn @ The Table

It's Thursday, my favourite day of the week in The Space Between Raindrops! This Thursday is particularly special though...TSBR is 1 year old! My family has been participating in my imposed gratitude rule for almost 2 years and I have been recording the last year (or most of it anyway) here in our gratitude blog. I say our because, while I do the writing bit the material and inspiration is all them; their gratitudes, their trials, the trials they provide me, their courageous moments and their challenges.

I talk alot about how the simple practice of gratitude can change a life or at the very least your outlook on it (which is an energy that perpetuates it's own rewards). In the year that I have been indulging my spirit on this Blog, I've received many kind words of encouragement and gratitude. It doesn't take more than those messages and living the shift in my own family to prove to me that gratitude is powerful.

Today, to celebrate the 1 year Anniversary of The Space Between Raindrops, I invite you to pick a post at random for the archives (hopefully you get a well written piece composed while I was not in a fog of motherhood mayhem) read it and share it with your friends. My mission today is to spread as many smiles as possible - and I am grateful for your help!

My gratitude today is for The Space Between Raindrops (the cheapest and most effective form of personal and family therapy I've encountered)

and....It is Thursday...Your Turn @ The Table! What are you grateful for today? share a comment, send an message, post a tweet

You get one life, live it gratefully, 

Michelle

Thursday, Your Turn @ The Table

Welcome to Thursday, one day closer to Friday and one of my very favourite days of the week. Let's get around the table and find out what everyone is grateful for today! I received some really great ones last week. I know we try to be very light hearted around here (humor keeps my raft above the water line) but there have been some very serious gratitudes as well. Gratitudes centered on health and hardships, friendships and community spirit. I love that we can be grateful for snooze-bars, blood transfusion and grey hair all at the same time.

There will be a lot of Gratitude sharing this weekend - it is Thanksgiving...an entire holiday in honour of gratitude...How pumped an I?...Quick name my favourite holiday! Thanksgiving is my Gratitude today, that for a few days everyone will be pausing to reflect on the things they have to be grateful for.

Your turn @ the table....What are you Grateful for today? send me a message, post a comment, or tweet  me your gratitude then ask someone else to do the same...in honour of Thanksgiving lets put a leaf in the table!

Thursday...Your Turn @ The Table

Yesterday E-man's school held "Toonies for Terry" in support of Cancer research and to honour the memory of Terry Fox.

I am always moved to tears when I think about the impact a single person can have. Terry wanted to raise money and awareness - he raised a country to follow his dream.

My gratitude today is for Terry and the way Canadians have chosen to honour his memory year after year.

Thursday...Your turn @ the table. What are you Grateful for today?

Thursday...Your Turn @ The Table

Every Thursday (except on those days when I don't) I post "Your Turn @ The Table"

I get sent some really awesome gratefuls every week. You don't always get to see them because, well, some people are shy about sharing, so they send an e-mail rather than posting a comment. I've been thinking that it would be really great if you could see some of that anonymous gratitude. So...I will add a  guest gratitude box over there with my family gratitude boxes. Each week after Your Turn @ The Table I'll post one of the gratitudes submitted that week (anonymously of course)

Keep watching you might just see your own Gratitude in that space!

Thank you for sharing every week. Gratitude really can change a life and it may not be your own.

My turn....Today I am grateful for my new Dishwasher.

I wish he had thumbs.

Your Turn....What are you Grateful for today?

Thursday...Your Turn @ The Table

Gather around the table and get your gratitude ready...It's Thursday, the day we get around the table and ask what you are GRATEFUL for!

Today I am grateful that my windshield wipers are fixed! Thanks to my handy husband, I will not be the person travelling down the road with her wipers stuck to the middle of her windshield today, and if it should happen to rain....well, I'll be able to see without hanging my head out the window!

Cheers! Your turn...What are you GRATEFUL for today?

Thursday...Your Turn @ The Table

A simple gratitude from me today, to kick things off...

The kids are back to school...

I am grateful that the fridge will not be opened 600 times a day, that computers and tv's and video games will not be playing and charging, grateful that the a/c will not be pouring out to the sidewalk while kids stand with the front door open talking with their friends about plans that may or may not come into fruition.

The real gratitude comes in a month when that first back to school hydro bill arrives!

Thursday... Your turn @ the table. What are you grateful for today?

Thurdsay...Your Turn @ The Table

Every once in a while I catch a glimpse of Mortimer, Lula's kitten, out of the corner of my eye, and I think he must have fallen into the toilet. Then I catch Copper the dog licking Mort like he's covered in gravy, and I am immediately grateful that the dog only eats shoes.

Thursday....What's your Gratitude? Leave me some good to read when I get back from the shoe store later today!

Thursday...Your Turn @ The Table

Thursday. It's been a little quiet around The Space Between Raindrops, We have added 2 great dogs and an adorable kitten into our family this week; the air is slightly charged around here! There has not been much time for humans to write or think (or pee! for that matter.) However, the atmosphere is improving and soon I should be able to catch up. I have a purse full of napkins, covered in jot notes, I need to turn into something before they go stale.

Today, I am grateful that tomatoes ripen even if you ignore them, and that dogs don't care to pee on or eat tomatoes; they may be the only one of my luxuries that survive this experience.

Your Turn @ the table....What's your gratitude?