Filled w/Thanks = Filled w/Joy: Day 10

I am thankful for KINDNESS!

Kindness is an inner desire that makes us want to do good things even if we do not get anything in return.  It is the joy of our life to do them.  When we do good things from this inner desire, there is kindness in everything we think, say, want and do.  -Emmanuel Swedenborg

In the quote above I particularly like the reference to kindness being an inner desire.  I am so thankful for the many people in my life who have this inner desire to be kind.  I'd start listing all of you but the list would be exhaustive.... thank goodness there are so many of you!   

Filled w/Thanks = Filled w/Joy: Day 9

I AM THANKFUL FOR LEAVES IN THE FALL!

Nature is at her finest when the leaves in Wisconsin are changing from their summer green into the brillance of their autumn attire.  The air is crisp and fresh, the sun still warms your face and there is no match for the joy or feeling quite the same as that of crunching through the fallen leaves.

Filled w/Thanks = Filled w/Joy: Day 8

I am thankful for POLKA DOTS!

My phone has a polka dot case!
Did you notice the heart?

 Yes, I am thankful for polka dots because they make me feel happy with their little polka dotty goodness.  There are several versions of the history of polka dots and I guess it doesn't really matter how they came to be among us, however I would venture to say that looking into their background I find it "spotty" at best.  (Ha!)  Whether they were connected to the polka dance craze or invented by George Henry the 5th, needless to say they have been enjoyed by many walks of life.  You can find them at the beach on itsy bitsy teenie weenie yellow polka dot bikinis, on the clothing of flamenco dancers, on the guitars of rocksters and blues musicians, in the WWF rink with professional wrestlers, as well as in my closet and adorning several of my personal items.  The joy of polka dots has certainly touched a myriad of young and old alike.

Click here if you'd like to read the story of how this adorable 'brollie was carefully and lovingly selected.


P.S.  You KNEW a post on polka dots was coming didn't you!?

Filled w/Thanks = Filled w/Joy: Day 7

I am thankful for the ability to run in lightning fast pink shoes!

The morning of the
Whistlestop Marathon.
26.2 miles in the snow!  

I am thankful for the ability and the desire to move and be active.  A few years ago after working out on the elliptical for a while, I was talked into walking/running a 5K by my daughters.  Much to everyone's astonishment I ended up running the whole thing!  I've really enjoyed running and must say that running as part of a healthy lifestyle has changed my life.  It was because of running that I met Harry (a story of thanks for another day) and have also met many other really nice people through this sport.

The Antigo
Tator Trot
2nd Place in my age group

The Bellin Run the
morning of our wedding day

First run in Florida
I was the Women's
Overall Grand Master!

Because I'm in the "old lady" category I have even won a couple trophies the past couple years!  What a hoot!  We ran a 10k race the morning of our wedding day and had a ton of fun as my daughter and I stopped to chat with family and friends a few times along the way.  I prefer brightly colored shoes - especially the lightning fast pink ones!

After a certain amont of miles you need new ones
for running but they are still in good shape for other stuff!

  

Filled w/Thanks = Filled w/Joy: Day 6

I am thankful for the privilege to VOTE

As a female citizen of the United States of America, I am thankful for those who came before me that fought for and won the right for ME to vote.  I do not take the privilege lightly as I carefully weigh and assess what the individual candidates bring to the table and how that aligns with my values and beliefs.  Who to vote for is not always an easy decision.... but it is MY decision and I'd like to believe that every vote DOES count.  Therefore a couple weeks ago I filled out my ballet and put it in the mail.  Today I rather wish I had chosen to go the polls... there is something about being there on election day that adds to the spirit.  Perhaps I'll drive over and see if they need help handing out the "I Voted" stickers.  

Filled w/Thanks = Filled w/Joy: Day 5

I am thankful for JOY!

Joy is so very cool!  It can be seen in the eyes....in the smile...in the walk and it's great when it's bubbling up and overflowing outward for others to enjoy. I feel that joy is not something that can be given to someone else or believe me I'd give it to you. There is nothing I can do or say that can place joy on your heart. It can't be given or forced however it can be shared. Joy is something that is found within, comes from within and must find its place in your heart by you alone.

Friend, I pray JOY is a lifelong resident in your heart. 

Filled w/Thanks = Filled w/Joy: Day 4

Little Children Singing

I am thankful for the sweet voices of children singing while they play.

• Little girls with pig tails flying out behind them as they scoot down the sidewalk singing at the top of their lungs.  
• The lovely sound of happiness as they sing and skip rope in their driveway.  
• The joyful humming and singing from the little guy in the grocery cart as he shops with mommy at Winn Dixie.  
• The video clip posted on Facebook of my nephew's little girl singing a happy little diddy.  

Wouldn't it be lovely if we could live our entire life loudly singing the songs in our heart without a care in the world?  

This is in response to a Facebook friend's challenge of daily postings of things for which we are thankful throughout the month of November.

Filled w/Thanks = Filled w/Joy: Day 3

The Ability To Fly!

I am thankful for Orville and Wilbur Wright and the fact that they had enough intelligence and gumption to get out there and keep trying until they could fly.  Can you imagine being the first ones to get it right? (Or should we say, "Wright", ha!)  Just think what this has meant for you and I.... we can fly across the entire USA in mere hours and around the entire world in a couple days.  Amazing.  

I can leave my home in Florida in the morning and by early afternoon be in Wisconsin holding my GRAND in my arms and getting a huge, wet schmooch on the cheek.  For the ability to travel great distances quickly and comfortably I will be forever grateful to those in the aviation industry. 

On a side note I've done a little flying of my own ... read about it here.   

This is in response to a Facebook friend's challenge of daily postings of things for which we are thankful throughout the month of November.

Filled w/Thanks = Filled w/Joy: Day 2

The Ability To Read!

I am thankful for the ability to read.  It's great to have an exciting story unfold as each page is turned or to learn something new about an interesting (or uninteresting) topic.  I am thankful I grew up with parents who read to me as a small child and who model the love of reading throughout their lifetime.  I am thankful for teachers who made reading fun and for authors who bring life to the written page.           

This is in response to a Facebook friend's challenge of daily postings of things 

for which we are thankful throughout the month of November.

Filled w/Thanks = Filled w/Joy:Day 1

This is in response to a Facebook friend's challenge of daily postings of things 

for which we are thankful throughout the month of November.

Sunshine!

I am thankful for the warmth that comes from the sun.  It makes things grow and it warms the skin and the heart with it's wonderful glowing brilliance.  It doesn't matter if the temperature is 10 degrees below zero, if the sun is shining on your face it feels good.  Today I give thanks for sunshine.