After over 17,000 steps on my walk this morning I happened upon a war memorial in a nearby town. The memorial had a walkway through a little garden containing a sculpture with a fountain that led to a few etched granite panels with different quotes from legendary leaders. After my eight-mile walk, I read the etched quotes. The quote pictured above caught my attention. I try to find positive inspiration every day. I pulled out my camera to take this picture. That is my reflection with the wooded background in the photo. I sat and rested my weary old bones on the weathered wooden bench a few yards away and reflected on this quote.
I often feel very grateful for all I have. I have expressed this often. I sign off on a number of my emails and personal notes written with “Forever grateful.” When asked to sign my book a Leap Year of Firsts I ALWAYS end it with me writing … “Forever Grateful, With Much Love.” It doesn’t matter who I am signing it to, I always end it the same way. Because I am – forever grateful. But reading the quote gave me pause – made me think. Do I live with gratitude in addition to just uttering the words? I googled “how can you live a life of gratitude?” This produced an article from Forbes from July 8, 2016, with “8 ways to have more gratitude in your life.”
- Don’t be picky: appreciate everything…
- Find gratitude in your challenges…
- Practice Mindfulness…
- Keep a gratitude journal…
- Volunteer…
- Express yourself…
- Spend times with loved ones…
- Improve your happiness in other areas of your life…
Ahha, I get it. A good list. I’m grateful to have happened upon this memorial – this quote. A first! I never knew this was here in town after having lived here for over a quarter of a century. I’m grateful to be above ground at my age. I’m now off to LIVE GRATITUDE!