Finding Happiness In Gratitude

Happiness can not exist in the absence of gratitude.
If you are looking for happiness, you will not find it in the search for new experiences, nor in the absence of desire. Happiness is found within the moments of appreciation, the time when we stop and express with every aspect of our being, a deep felt thank you.
No need for a deity or special place, just a simple act of thankfulness for what is right in front of us, can be the most profound spiritual act of your daily routine.
Taking a few moments of deliberate gratitude throughout the day, not just a part of your morning routine, brings back a more level-headed approach to live. When there is so much recognition of what there is to appreciate, there is less worry, less stress, less fear.
At no point and time, does this imply not thriving for more. The opposite is more the truth. In these moments of gratitude, we make space for more, more life, more kindness, more openness for ideas, a deeper focus.
When gratitude is chosen, the happiness it brings with it can be life changing. All we have to do is start with a simple “Thank you”.

I recommend the following books about Happiness and Gratitude

Gratitude and Happiness by Bree Miller available on Amazon

 

This blog post is a part of the following blog hops

Celebrate The Small Things
Thankful Thursdays by PepiSmartDog
Thankful Thursdays by Frog Lilypad
No Rules Weekend Blog Party
Monday of Many Blessings
Be Inspired

Disclaimer: The above post contains affiliate links, see Disclosure page for details.

40 Things That Make Me Happy – And Why You Should Make a Happiness List, Too

There are times in our lives when trying to remember those little things we usually enjoy, becomes a difficult feat. May it be, because we experienced loss, are suffering from depression, going through marital problems or have financial trouble, a list of things that make us happy, can remind us of what we have, and help us for a moment to create a more hopeful state of mind to work from.

Here are 40 Things That Make Me Happy  – No Matter What

1. Hugs from my kids
2. The excitement of my dogs, when I get home
3. Coffee
4. Thumbprint cookies
5. Great, fresh bread
6. the scent of rain
7. Ducks upon a pond
8. the sound of a horse breathing
9. Drama television shows
10. a good romance novel
11. getting a text message from a friend
12. online banking
13. blog groups and link ups
14. taking pictures
15. designing/creating/working on a piece of my art
16. warm socks
17. flannel sheets
18. hibiscus tea
19. the sound of birds in the trees
20. spring time
21. black and white photography
22. inspirational quotes
23. flowers
24. the theater
25. a fresh, new notebook to fill with ideas
26. typing “The End” after a long short story, or a book
27. Jared Leto (yes, I am weird, lol)
28. being “cleaned” by my cat
29. A comfortable sofa
30. Nutella
31. a smooth-writing pen
32. Irish Dance
33. traveling
34. German chocolate
35. strawberry cheesecake
36. Happy Endings in stories
37. thick, white snow
38. trees
39. squirrels eating peanuts
40. my dog barking in her sleep

What do you have on your list? Why not create your own post and share it with us in the comment section below!

 

Check out the following journals for your gratitude and happiness lists:

Flower Power, Ivy by Sophie Gamand
from: Redbubble

Nine by fioski
from: Redbubble

Caterpiano by Jorge Lopez
from: Redbubble

Winter Holiday – A Haiku

twinkle in their eyes
cold winter celebrations
sweet magic abounds

Copyright Claudia H. Blanton 2014

This post was inspired by the Daily Post prompt: Getting Seasonal.

This season is special to me out of many reason. A few, I want to mention here are my daughter’s and son’s birthdays, and our Yule celebrations, which all fall together within a matter of a week and a half. So while hectic, it is a beautiful time to share and spend time together. I am currently drying some apples and oranges for the table decorations for the Winter Solstice celebration, and will purchase the last few candles needed to be put on the altar.

I wish you all a joyful and peaceful holiday season, however you choose to celebrate it!

Spring Time (Or Is It?) A Celebrate The Small Things Blog Post

Time to celebrate! 

Every moment where the temperatures reach at least close to what they are supposed to be this Spring, is a moment to celebrate. The US had a particular harsh winter, and while spring time still seems far away for some, every time the sun breaks through and warms us a little, it is indeed a time to celebrate.

 

Another thing I am grateful for is another blog posting challenge that is once a month “Blogging For Peace” . I just love that idea, of committing one post a month (that means two for me, as I have two blogs and I plan on dedicating both) to talk about peace. We can all use more of that.

Currently there is the Twitter Fiction Festival in progress, sponsored by (you guessed it) Twitter and major Publishing companies, like Penguin Books USA. I have had the pleasure of participating, and found a few new friends as well. I really enjoyed writing some really short fiction – writing a complete story in 140 characters is a challenge, but fun.

What are you grateful for this week?