NOVEMBER 2023

"Start to count your blessings. So much good happens to us but in the rush of daily life we fail even to notice or acknowledge it. Writing down our blessings will focus attention on the abundance already within our grasp and makes it real."

-Sarah Ban Breathnach

How do we feed our minds with beautiful things? Think on the good. We have a choice every day to either think on good or dwell on the bad. Notice and appreciate  the good there is all around. Look at the sun as it rises on a new day. Appreciate its warmth and loveliness. Open our eyes to see the beauty around us. Pay attention to people. Give a stranger a smile and say "hello". Hug those we love and tell them "I love you".  Pay attention to life today - don't let it pass us  by unnoticed. 

"Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart. Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow. Let me hold you while I may, for it may not always be so. One day I shall dig my nails into the earth, or bury my face in the pillow, or stretch myself taunt, or raise my hands to the sky and want, more than all the world, your return."

-Mary Jean Iron

We must learn to love and appreciate what we have this day, at this time, and relish the moments. Realize the beauty of this day and the people God has placed in our lives.

Happy Thanksgiving - Be Thankful!

I would love to hear from you. You may e-mail me at 

sandykwright@yahoo.com 

In the months of November and December we can easily become overwhelmed and burdened with all there is to get done.

How do we stop our running and hectic pace, relax, slow down, and find our quiet place in the midst of all the busy-ness? The main way to find our quiet is to determine in our minds to be calm and take things slow. We can decide to have a more simple holiday season. We determine this for ourselves. Below are some tips I am going to try myself this year. 

1. Determine - make up your mind to go at a slower pace.
2. Set realistic plans and goals. Don't try to meet someone else's expectations for the holidays, but think through what you can actually handle.
3. Realize you cannot do everything and be everything for everybody.
4. You may need to say "no" to some activities.
5. Determine to be happy with what you have and where you are right now. Don't always look for happiness in things, in other people, or dwell on what you don't have; instead be thankful for what you have.
6. Find joy in the simple everyday things in life.
7. Learn to relish the time with those you love. It may not be the picture you have in your head of the ideal holiday; however, you can choose to appreciate what you have.
8. Be flexible with your time and schedule.
9. Make the time to sit quietly and listen to calming music as you sip a cup of hot tea, coffee, or hot cocoa. Make this a priority. 

"In a moment there is time."

-Alexandra Stoddard

"We must catch and kiss our joy as it flies by, even in the midst of  sorrow or suffering."

- M. J. Ryan

Life isn't perfect and there will never be a time when everything is perfectly wonderful. Our days are filled with both joys and sadness; however let us choose joy when we can. During the holiday season some people are stressed and saddened due to losses or perceived expectations of what they should or should not have. 

"If you haven't got all the things you want, be grateful for the things you don't have that you don't want."

-Anonymous 

"When we focus on abundance, our life feels abundant; when we focus on lack, our life feels lacking. It is purely a matter of focus."

- M. J. Ryan

"There are two ways to live your life.  One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."

-Albert Einstein

Today let's notice the common everyday things in our lives as miracles: the sunrise, the kiss of our child or spouse, an "I love you" from a loved one, food and a warm house, a good book, hot coffee, leaves fluttering from the trees, the smell of wood smoke, laughter, a clean bed, sunsets, the stars and moon, breathing fresh air, hugs, friends who care, work to do, and on and on we could go.  

"Always give thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Ephesians 5:20

"Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!"

Psalm 107:1

MY NEW BOOK

 HE WILL QUIET YOU

IS OUT ON AMAZON.

YOU MAY ORDER AS A PAPERBACK OR AS AN EBOOK.

I  HAVE A BOOK SIGNING NOVEMBER 11TH, 2 - 4 PM AT BROOKS COLLECTION IN COLLIERVILLE, TN FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO LIVE NEAR, OR YOU MAY CONTACT ME FOR SIGNED COPIES.

ALSO A BOOK SIGNING AT BROOKS NOVEMBER 16TH, 6 - 8 PM FOR GIRL'S NIGHT OUT!

REMEMBER THESE FOR 

CHRISTMAS GIFTS!