Day 24 - The Magical Wand

Magic Wand

"People who wait for a magic wand fail to see that they ARE the magic wand."

Thomas Leonard (155-2003),

Personal Development Coach

Rhonda says, "Using gratitude to help someone else with his or her health, wealth, and happiness is the single greatest act of gratitude you can perform. And one of the magical things about it is that the health, wealth and happiness you fervently wish for others, you also bring to yourself." Page 210, The Magic.

The Assignment

Today's assignment is to choose three people that I care about and want to help with more health, wealth, happiness or all three. 

Holding a photograph of one of my loved ones I must visualize that person giving me the news that they have received health, wealth and/or happiness. I follow this with a sincere "Thank you, thank you, thank you for ________'s health, wealth or happiness."

Repeat this for the other two loved ones.

Gratitude Stone

I was most grateful for the abundance of food in my refrigerator and cupboards because I can look in there any time I want and find something good for my granddaughters.The peace of mind this gives me is sublime. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I Am Grateful: (Day 18)

1. That Christina came out for ice cream and the park with Destiny and Emily because the more the merrier. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
2. For money because it comes easily and frequently. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
3. For another beautiful day because I enjoy being outside on days like this. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
4. For my house because it provides shelter for all of us. (Nicole, Nick, Sidney, Gary, Faith, Christina and I. Plus our two cats and two rats. Hay, that rhymes.) Thank you, thank you, thank you.
5. For the mortgage being paid on time, two months in a row because it is a huge relief knowing we don't have to worry about foreclosure. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
6. For another day at home with the ones I love because each day is a precious gift. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
7. For the shampoo I used today because it cleans my hair  without residual conditioning that makes my hair greasy the next day.Thank you, thank you, thank you.
8. For my washer and dryer because it is a convenient and efficient way to get our stacks and stacks of laundry completed. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
9. For my sweet granddaughters who make each day full of sunshine and happiness. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
10. For my new bras because they are so comfortable and pretty. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

The Challenge

I have to say that I have not printed a picture in about three and a half years. I have digital copies saved in about five different places. Yes, five. I am so paranoid about losing my pictures that I need five different locations and media to save them.

So, finding a picture means digging through books that have been left to gather dust. Ah-choo! I am allergic to dust.

Okay, I looked through my photo albums. It apparently has been longer since I last printed a picture. It has to be more like ten years. 

My daughters are so young and absolutely beautiful. I forgot how adorable they were (and still are). And my Mom? Holy cow she has lost a lot of weight. I wish I had more recent shots of them but this had to do.

Oh, sorry I forgot to tell you who I chose but I guess you have already figured it out. 

I chose my Mom because she has had a hard life struggling with money and happiness. She is in good health overall but it could be better.

I chose my three daughters because they battle depression and anxiety. Money is an issue for them. And I worry about their health. Beth's hands cause her so much pain. Nicole's jaw condition gives her excruciating headaches and Christina seems to be having some sort of seizures which she refuses to see the Doctor about.

Conclusion

I liked today's practice. I have wished for more for my loved ones but not where I actually take the time to feel the happiness it would bring to them. I imagined their big smiles. My daughters jumping up and down with joy. My Mom waving hundred dollar bills in the air. A smile just naturally spread across my face and left me feeling elevated.

I hope your practice went well. Please feel free to leave a comment. I would love to hear from you.

Day 10 - Magic Dust Everyone

http://nighthawk101stock.deviantart.com

"No duty is more urgent than that of returning thanks."

 Saint Ambrose (AD 340-397),

Theologian and Catholic Bishop.

Rhonda says, " Gratitude is a powerful energy, and so whomever you direct gratitude's energy toward, that's where it goes. If you think of gratitude's energy looking like sparkling magic dust, then when you express gratitude to another person in return for something you've received from them, you are literally sprinkling them with that magic dust! The most powerful, positive energy in magic dust reaches and affects whomever you sprinkle it on." Page 101, The Magic.

Magic Dust

Today's assignment is to "sprinkle magic dust" on ten people who perform services that I benefit from. I can thank them directly or indirectly by mentally acknowledging and thanking them while feeling grateful to them.

It is important to remember that the person who has provided a service to us is a daughter or son, a brother or sister, a mother or father, an aunt or uncle, or grandparent and a precious, loved one who is irreplaceable. This person deserves our patience and kindness.

It is equally important to give gratitude to someone who has been rude or unkind because it may be "the most magical thing that happens to them that day". You don't know what is going on in their life. Maybe there was a death in the family, a serious injury or illness, a divorce.

"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle."

Philo of Alexandria (Circa 20 BC - AD 50)

Philosopher

1. I am really grateful to Laurie for continuous assistance through the tough times and the personable service she has provided in the past twenty something years. Every time the insurance company wanted to cancel or did cancel our policies, Laurie was able to change their minds and ensure we had coverage. Thank you.
2. I am really grateful to the lady working at the store who was patient, helpful and kind when I was having difficulty purchasing the television.  Thank you.
3. I am really grateful to the sales lady at Penningtons for her assistance and service with a smile. I know how hard it is to work in the service industry where you meet all kinds of people in all kinds of moods. It can be very taxing on your emotional well being. Thank you.
4. I am really grateful to the people who pick up our trash and recycling each week. They provide an invaluable service to our cities. I can imagine how hard it is on the body as it is a very physically demanding job.
5. I am really grateful to our mailman who delivers our mail each and every day through all kinds of weather, putting himself at risk.(dog bites, weird people) Thank you.
6. I am really grateful to my coworkers who give their time to help me, listen to me and share food. Thank you.
7. I am really grateful to the Mormon Church of Latter Day Saints, in particular the local chapter's President who out of the kindness of his heart is assisted our family for three months even though we are not members of his church.  Thank you.
8. I am really grateful to all the farmers, pickers, packers, truck drivers, and grocery store clerks for providing food from all around the world and making it readily available to me every day.   Thank you.
9. I am really grateful to all the ladies at our favourite restaurant for their attentive, courteous service through the years.   Thank you.
10. I am really grateful to our local MP and his assistant for everything they did in our time of need.   Thank you.

I am also to read day 11's practise today so I can begin it the moment I wake up.

Day 11 - A Magical Morning

I am to fill my morning routines with gratitude. Before I even open my eyes I am to be grateful for another day alive and say thank-you. etc. 

You can read the rest tomorrow.

Gratitude Stone

I am most grateful for the rain we got yesterday because the farmers really need it. 

The other day, I noticed how short the corn stalks are for this time of year. It is probably due to the lack of rain and how dry everything is. I am grateful for the rain because it is needed to grow our food. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I know my lawn and gardens are happy.  My cucumber and tomato plants needed a drink so bad, they were droopy. I was going to say my Granddaughters are excited about the food growing in our garden but I have to admit I am too. I am amazed how quickly they are growing now and look forward to checking them out each day. Thank you, thank you. 

Gratitude Journal

I Am Grateful: (Day 10) 

1. To my Mom for doing the dishes today and helping to keep the house clean because it is a relief to share those chores.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.
2. To Gary for going with me to pick up the food provided to us by the church because I would rather relax in the car than drive it.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.
3. To Nick for helping me put away all the food we received today because two people is better than one.   Thank you, thank you, thank you. 
4. To Gary for finally taking the money out of the bank and paying the insurance company because it would be terrible to have our policies cancelled for non-payment when we have the money.  Thank you, thank you, thank you. 
5.  To my granddaughters for putting the sunshine in my life on a rainy day because everyone could use a bit of happiness.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.
6. To Nicole for keeping up her blogging with me because it is so much more enjoyable doing it with someone.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.
7. To my Mom for helping me fold clothes today because it is my least favourite part of doing laundry. Other than putting them away. LOL. I just like throwing the clothes in the washer then from the washer to the dryer then into the basket. I don't even like gathering it all up.But I am grateful that I am physically able to do it.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.
8. To Nicole for making supper today because as you all know I like to eat it not cook it.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.
9. For another beautiful day because it was raining, and warm and wonderful.   Thank you, thank you, thank you..
10. For the over flowing cupboards and refrigerator because it is a good knowing it is there.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I think this chapter went well for me. It was pretty easy coming up with ten people to be grateful for who provide some sort of service. Thank you.

I haven't seen any comments yet. I would like to know if there is someone out there reading and feeling as grateful as I do. 

I think I will sprinkle some "magic dust" on you too tonight.