If there is one thought I hope to pass to you for the weekend, it would have to be this powerful thought I read from one of Charles Dickens quotations this morning. If we could all take back this one powerful thought at face value to apply it consciously and diligently in our daily life, I strongly believe that life would never be the same for you and I! Charles Dickens said, “Reflect upon your present blessings of which every man has many – not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.” Lets take a moment to digest that.
Somehow that one quotation touched me deeply and within an hour of reading it, I had shared it in my Facebook’s profile, with groups and friends. If there is a way to reach out to all people in the world, I would be doing it happily. Such a simple and direct thought, yet it can truly benefit us.
Gratitude is a positive thought that can empower the mind. In good times, it keeps us in check and remind us to share our blessings by giving unconditionally, without expectation to people around us and to the less fortunate. In bad times, Gratitude is probably the next best companion, besides support from family and friends.
In fact, there would be times when even our family and friends might not be there to root for us. However, like a loyal servant, Gratitude is always there; it is patiently waiting for us to summon it and ever ready to serve us. It works with us and give us the strength to get back on our feet during bad times. When life hits us with bricks on the head, it gives us the faith to move on and positively change our perspective of the situation.
I am consciously reminding myself to count my blessings especially when times are bad (I should be doing it even in good times), so that I can instantly re-frame my mind to be grateful for what is happening and to learn from the situation; sometimes it can be effortless but at times it can be a real challenge.
But like muscles in our body, which we need to work out regularly to make them stronger, we also need to regularly work out on counting the blessings; the more we do it, the better we get at tapping on the positive power of Gratitude.
Some of us will question, “How could one be grateful for the natural calamity which happened to one? The lost of loved ones, the lost of properties, the pain and suffering one went through!” However, we had witnessed how some of these strong individuals had re-bounced instantly, put asides their own lost and miseries, to reach out to others. I couldn’t hope to speak or know what was at the back of their mind, but I believe the feeling of Gratitude was one of the inner strengths within them.
However, we have very often heard from many who had near death experience to find new meaning in life and they become greater beings. Had you personally fought with cancer or knew of someone around you who did and triumphed over it? What was going through your mind? I couldn’t hope to speak anyone’s mind too but I believe there was definitely a feeling of Gratitude; the gratefulness to be alive.
I, too, am grateful to be alive and sharing with you the above quotation by Charles Dickens, “Reflect upon your present blessings…” As you were reading this, what were the blessings which came across your mind? Please feel free to share your blessings with us.
An idea by a dear blogger friend, Jacqueline: She keeps a gratitude journal which she will write down each day at least 3 things she is grateful for. I think it is a fantastic idea to keep a gratitude journal where we can always go back to read it.
Photo by rnoel1
————————————–
Take 25% off a one year subscription to Wedding Tracker and build the ultimate wedding website! Use code AFF25.
- Lose All the Cryptos in Your MetaMask Wallet to Crypto Scams - September 11, 2023
- 8 Fruits that may Help Us to Lose Weight - July 14, 2023
- Exploring the Realm Beyond: Thought-Provoking Inquiries for a Psychic Medium - June 19, 2023
Dearest bk, this post like so many others had touched me deeply. I am always constantly reminding myself to be greateful even for the little things that happen in my daily life. I keep a gratitude journel and i write down each day at least 3 things i am grateful for. I am loving that quote by Charles Dickens! Thanks so much for sharing and think YOU always for such a sweet reminder for a wonderful sentiment! Have a lovely merry happy weekend and love to you sweet friend!
.-= jacqueline´s last blog ..pardon me =-.
I am blessed to be able to read this. I’m blessed to hear the noise my kids make as I read this. I’m blessed to know that after I read this I’ll eat a fine breakfast and go outside and enjoy the day.
The simple things.
@ Jacqueline, when I was writing this post, I was thinking of the gratitude journal which you had told me before and how great an idea it it. I will put it down specifically in the post to share your idea with all the readers. I truly believe it can benefit them.
@ One of the Guys, thank you for sharing your blessings with us. I agree with you that it doesn’t have to be all the great things. It is the simple things or little things which we do with passion and love that are the blessings in our life.
Keeping a gratitude journal is interesting. It’s similar to Scmutzie’s Grace in Small Things (she’s a blogger) and she started Grace in Small Things Network where people write things they’re grateful for everyday. I did it for a time. It’s a good way to remind yourself that there is often still good in a bad day.
.-= Marilyn (A Lot of Loves)´s last blog ..In Which I Tell You Two Serious Things and a Bunch of Silliness =-.
@ Marilyn, Grace in Small Things Network certainly sounds like a place with a lot of positive energy. The positive energy is multiplied many folds especially when people are sharing their blessings. There is also a synergy involved in the sharing. It is definitely a good way to remind ourselves that there is often still good in a bad day.
That quote is beautiful. I try to do exactly that, and blog about it, every week.
.-= Allison @ Alli ‘n Son´s last blog ..Sparkling Moments =-.
@ Allison, I am doing my best to do what the quote says too. And I am sure that you are doing that; that why the ‘Sparkling Moments.’
I REALLY needed a reminder to be grateful for the little things today. Thank you for that!
.-= meleah rebeccah´s last blog ..Blog Posts and Ideas! =-.
I am grateful to read this post and know how very true it is. Beautifully put.
Never take a minute for granted.
I love the journal idea, too. I will have to make that happen. 🙂
.-= Angelia Sims´s last blog ..How do you get a pre-school girl to sit still =-.
Hi BK .. in the Western World we’re so lucky with all our blessings and our opportunities .. and as you so rightly say we have so much to be grateful for .. The Charles Dickens quote is so true and so apt ..
Thanks for this – a good reminder for us all .. Have a good week .. Hilary
.-= Hilary´s last blog ..Could this be a sitcom – or a break out sitcom Ever had a one word – at a time – conversation Fish and Chips – how do you spell it =-.
@ Meleah, you are most welcome. The best about blogging is that we are always sharing and learning from each other experiences. And reminding each other at times.
@ Angelia, you couldn’t be more right; we must never take a minute for granted. I was reading a book just now and the author was sharing his experience in hiking the tallest peak in Africa; he shared how that one experience made him appreciate and be grateful for the comfort that he is enjoying in modern day. Through his shared experience, I am once again reminded on how bless it is to be having clean water at the turn of the tap. I sincerely hope that you will push through with the idea of the journal. As for me, I am hoping to share as regularly as possible the simple blessings at this blog.
@ Hilary, yes! The Charles Dickens quote couldn’t be more true and apt; in fact it seems as applicable today as it was at his time. We can be at the best of time and the worst of time. It all depend on what we make of time. Have a great week ahead.
I feel the blessing the most when yesterday my blog was down and there is nothing I can do but pray. Thank God it’s restored now.
.-= VanillaSeven´s last blog ..My Blog has died- and rose again =-.
@ VanillaSeven, I am happy for you that your blog is back and running again. It was a torturous experience for me too when my blog was down before. It is truly a blessing.
It is so true! Many times I have had to stop on a bad day and count my blessing to remember that I do have a wonderful life.
.-= Pam´s last blog ..Making Friends Monday and Where Ive been =-.
@ Pam, it is definitely good to stop on a bad day to count our blessings; we would almost feel immediately how wonderful life is.
Indeed BK. That’s why I value blogging so much. It’s funny how you can stumble upon reading something at the exact moment you need to read/hear it!
.-= meleah rebeccah´s last blog ..Happy 4th Anniversary- Momma Mia Mea Culpa =-.
I need to hold onto that for a bit and breathe. Very wise advice!
.-= Lisa’s CHaos´s last blog ..Handle with Care =-.
@ Meleah, you are right! It is magical but sometimes you just stumbled upon something at the exact moment you need to read/hear it! 🙂
@ Lisa, thank you.
I thank God each day just one of my many ways of showing gratitude..Awesome post BK thanks for sharing and remain blessed … Got to fill out my gratitude journal for the day Now ……
.-= fatima da´s last blog ..Emotional Intelligence- Develop Your People’s Skills =-.
@ Fatima, great to see that you are thanking God each day for your blessings! 🙂
This was beautiful! Thank you! My first thought was-oh my goodness the universe is CRAZY – in a fantastic way! The more I open my eyes to it the more this kind of stuff happens to me. I was thinking about Charles Dickens just yesterday when in my mind I was pondering who I would say my favorite author is. I was unsure because to be honest I have not read that much of his work, but he must have come to mind because that which I have read has truly impacted me. To come here and read your wonderful post and also your link to more of his great quotes was truly a gem in my day. Thanks again for sharing!
.-= Wendy Irene´s last blog ..Christmas in July – Leavenworth- Washington =-.
@ Wendy, I couldn’t agree more with you that the universe is CRAZY! Even when I was reading your comment, I could feel a weird sensation; what we have in our mind, the universe will respond to it. I have not read any of Charles Dickens’ work yet but that one quotation ‘…reflecting upon our blessings…’ really touched me deeply in my heart and the day when I read it, I knew it in my heart that I had to share it with as many people as possible. I am glad that you had enjoyed reading the post and also the link to more of his great quotes. Have a blessed day!
Thank you for your very sweet words! I really appreciate them! 🙂 I hope you have a blessed day as well!
.-= Wendy Irene´s last blog ..Christmas in July – Leavenworth- Washington =-.
@ Wendy, you are most welcome! 🙂