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Monday, April 5, 2010

Counting Blessings (& Butterflies)

"How does one become a butterfly? You must want to fly so much that you are willing to give up being a caterpillar." ~Trina Paulus

Ever had a 'Brain-Freeze' from eating ice cream!?! That sudden burst of pain that hits when eating anything cold too fast?! My so-called 'breakthrough' headaches feel like that, except instead of lasting a few seconds the way a 'brain-freeze' does, my headaches hit at that intensity for 2-3 hours.

I bring this up because although I went 2-days without a 'breakthrough' headache last week (which is huge!), I've been slammed with real nasty ones since Wednesday. The good news -- when I'm feeling gracious enough -- is that I’m thrilled that I went 2 days without 'breakthrough' pain! And on top of that, the bad headaches only seem to last 2-3 hours, which is manageable (in comparison to what they were after my eye surgery). However as I'm writing this my Vicodin hasn't hit yet, so I'm not exactly stoked at the moment. This too shall pass... right!?!

Dr. Robert A. Emmons’ book,Thanks! How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier draws on the first major empirical study of gratitude to scientifically show how the cultivation of appreciation can measurably change peoples lives.

Counting my blessings has always been something I've relied on over the years when life hands me lemons. And yes, some times are more difficult than others to reach for that proverbial silver lining. When I'm trying to stay positive, a trick that always works for me is to make a list of five (5) things I'm grateful for:

1) My WONDERFUL best friends. No matter what, you always make me smile!

2) Friends and acquaintances who, even if they stumble or fall, pick themselves up & keep going.

3) The AMAZING beauty of the San Francisco Bay Area, and of this beautiful planet in general.

4) The ability to heal, learn, push, strive, achieve, and be human.

5) Butterflies, Chinese Astrology, and Marcel Proust in a hot mineral soaking tub.

So tell me, what are you grateful for!?!

8 comments:

  1. It's interesting you mentioned the S.F. Bay Area. At the end of my street I have sweeping views of the Bay, and as I drive to work as well. Everyday I tell myself how lucky I am to live here surrounded by this beauty. I do this so I'll never take for granted the blessing I've been given of living here.

    I am also extremely grateful for my grandchildren that my step-daughter gave me. Never having children myself, they make life worth living for me. Thanks for the "stop & smell the roses" moment.

    Sharon Hiebing
    Creating Wealth through Caring & Connecting
    http://www.wealthships.com

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  2. I love your product and the spirit behind its creation. If you have to wear it, it might as well be beautiful!

    What I'm grateful for (a small sampling)
    Like you, my fabulous best friends. They are my self-selected family.

    The amazing women I meet in my business networking. I learn so much from each and every one of them (now,if I would only put some of it to use).

    To paraphrase Willie Nelson; I'm warm, I'm dry, and I'm well fed.

    Life is good. Even when it's a challenge, life is good.

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  3. Sorry to hear about the headaches. Hope they are diminishing over time.

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  4. Gratitude is a great way to reset one's perspective. Thanks for the reminder!

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  5. Rochelle I admire what you have done with a negative! AND I relate to your post here about pain. I have lived with chronic pain since 1994. I laugh when doctors ask: On a scale of 1 to 10..." What? How do you measure that when you have learned to live with it for so long! I have also learned to be very grateful for the less painful days in my cycle! Blessings to you!

    Ann Evanston
    The Warrior is Within You

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  6. what a fabulous attitude! i related to how you measure your pain...as i get migraine headaches quite often...that will pretty much put me out for days...my friends laugh when i say...i feel good...it's just a regular headache now...
    it truly is alot of how we look at things...thank you for reminding me...
    i am thankful for friends & family...who are there no matter what...
    i am thankful for those i do not know...willing to share their stories (that would be you!)
    i am thankful for life...for each day i am given...
    bless you!

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  7. This is a great story and product, way to go!
    Ron L. Welsh

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  8. I love this! Despite what is going on, people NEED to be positive! There is an undeniable connection between the brain and the immune system! It is fantastic to dwell on things that you are happy and grateful for.

    Shawna E Anderson
    www.shawnaeanderson.yolasite.com
    "Your Brain Search & Rescue Program"

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