Do not take anything for granted — not one smile or one person or one rainbow or one breath, or one night in your cozy bed.�
~Terri Guillemets
After witnessing the devastation that has transpired recently, our heart goes out to those affected by Hurricane Sandy. Millions of homes and businesses without power, the US east coast is attempting to recover from the effects of floods, fires and power outages, and snow storms brought on by Hurricane Sandy.
ABC News has a great piece on ways you can help Hurricane Sandy victims. Organizations like the Red Cross don’t need canned goods and blankets — items like that require staff to process them. Right now they need CASH donations. To donate, visit www.redcross.org, call 800-Red-Cross or text the word “Redcross” to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
Blood drives have been cancelled and victims will need donations, so schedule an appointment to donate blood for those in New York and New Jersey if you can.
There are ways you can help, and ABC News has a list of others. Click there to find a charity you’d like to support.
Everyone who has been affected by Hurricane Sandy — please know we are thinking of you and sending you love, strength and solidarity.
If you woke up this morning with more health than illness, you are more blessed than the million who will not survive the week.
If you have food in your refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75 percent of the world.
If you have money in the bank or in your wallet, you are among the top 80 percent of the worlds wealthy.
If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful, you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.�
~Author Unknown
Life throws some pretty fast curve balls, and in times of uncertainty, it’s easy to get swept up in what’s going wrong, and forget about what there is to be thankful for. I am the first to admit, I undeniably lose focus of what is important, and what I am sincerely thankful for. I get caught up in the daily mundane tasks at hand, take for granted that my husband and family will without exception be around, and assume I will take my next breath. Instead, I should appreciate what I do have, and those I still have with me. I must remember to be thankful for another day of health, and that there are those less fortunate that I could help, in some way.
With Thanksgiving fast approaching, we thought it would be appropriate to propose a personal challenge for everyone, for the month of November. The challenge is simple. Can you come up with something you are thankful for every day of the month? Just ask yourself the question, “What am I Thankful for today?” and whatever your first thought is, write it down. We are doing this challenge as well, so you are not alone. All we ask in return, is that you leave a comment on this post daily with your answer.
Live your life so that the fear of death can never enter your heart. When you arise in the morning, give thanks for the morning light. Give thanks for your life and strength. Give thanks for your food and for the joy of living. And if perchance you see no reason for giving thanks, rest assured the fault is in yourself. ~Chief Tecumseh, Shawnee Indian Chief
So, who is up for the challenge? See y’all tomorrow!!
11/1/12 ~ Today, I am thankful for a new month, a new day, and a new hour. A new month; I love November!! As we play in the huge piles of freshly fallen leaves, I am thankful for another day to view such spectacular colors. A new day; it is Thursday, or as my friend Tina says, “Friday Eve”! What better way to view the day before the weekend. A new hour; While the sun rises, and I get ready for work, I vividly recall our vacation this summer in the Outer Banks, and witnessing the most breathtaking sunrises! Have a great day, everyone!
Today I am thankful that all my relatives are safe from Hurricane Sandy and also for all the first responders, Red Cross and all heroes assisting those affected by this horrific storm!
Today I’m thankful for the first November in my life that I will celebrate Thanksgiving without eating a Turkey!
It feels so good to know how far I have come in the last (almost) year. Never in a million years thought I would be here and now I can’t imagine ever going back. Happy November friends!
Love this!
I am thankful for all the people who care about all the people.
I am thankful for waking up next to my husband, who is the best person I know!
I am thankful for the roof over our heads! I am saying prayers for all those affected, and without shelter on the East Coast. Lets all pray for a speedy recovery.
I’m thankful for my country…..Canada…..there’s no life like it here in the great white north!
First I am most thankful for my family!
Im thankful for the endless info available online, lauras encouragement, and my hubby’s never ending support!!!
I am thankful that I celebrated Halloween with my 8 month old nephew last night. He is the first grandchild of the family and his mom (my sister) is a breast cancer survivor, so I am very thankful that she was able to have him!
11/2/12 ~I am thankful for a mother and step father, that love me unconditionally. Their support, love, wisdom, and humor have gotten me through many hard times. I am also thankful for my father, who is no longer with us, for being a part of my life for 32 years. His laughter, love, compassion, and guidance will never be forgotten. I miss you terribly dad, but I promise to continue to make you proud. It is because of you that I am persistent in my efforts to share this life saving information. My wishes are that no son, or daughter go through the same thing I did of losing their father to heart disease.
Have a great day everyone! What are you thankful for?
Good Morning, Today I am thankful that it is a new day with a bright attitude and that yesterday is left behind.
Today I am thankful for my 2 year old son Kai. I am thankful for all my kids but today I will focus on him. Having a 2 year old at 40 is awesome! I feel young, alive, and so blessed to have him. And now that we are following a plant based lifestyle I am confident that I can be here to enjoy watching and participating in him growing into a wonderful man. He makes my days such a joy and full of craziness. He loves me unconditionally and it makes my heart melt when he says “Mama” or Mommy”. I never wanted boys only girls and I now know that I would have really been missing out. I cannot imagine my life without him, he is definitely “Mama’s Boy” and I’m ok with that.
Have a great day!
so sweet!
I am thankful for a nice kitchen.
I’m thankful for the advice of friends.
11/3/12 ~I am thankful for a loving, thoughtful, compassionate, affectionate, patient, diligent, and fun to be around husband. He is my everything, and even though I do not say it, or show it enough, he still loves me unconditionally! He makes me laugh, and he can easily put a smile on my face. He is the master of making sure we are always taken care of, especially during the toughest times. He is my best friend who supports me 100% of the time, and always has my back. I am extremely thankful he chose me to spend the rest of his life with, because I love waking up next to him, and falling asleep with his arms around me. I have comfort in knowing he is there to protect me, and our family. If you are reading this dear, I LOVE YOU with all my heart, and I am truly blessed to have you in my life. I appreciate everything you do for me, and I am thankful to call you my husband!
I am thankful for the church we attend. Do open and understanding.
11/4/12 ~I am thankful for real, honest, loyal, vibrant, individualistic, compassionate, and witty friends. Whether they are the friends I see on a daily basis, or the friends I see every 20 years or every so often; I am thankful to have them in my life, as they will always hold a special place in my heart. Thank you for allowing me to call you a “friend”, and accepting me into your heart. I love all of you dearly.
I am so very thankful to have found the UU church a soft place to fall!
I didn’t post yesterday so I’m posting two things I’m thankful for today.
I am thankful for amazing family that stands by me, supports me, loves me, encourages me and believes in me. I can’t imagine life without family nor would I want to. This includes my family on both sides near and far away. I am thankful for technology. Without it, it would be so much more difficult to live so far away from my loved ones. I love being able to text them, call them, e-mail them, share photos etc. on a whim. Happy Sunday!
11/5/12 ~I am thankful for food, shelter, and clothing. I do not take these blessings for granted, as there are millions without one, or all of these. I donate food, and clothing on a regular basis in hopes of helping someone not go without.
I am thankful for my amazing husband. He loves me and supports me always. We “get” each other most of the time.
It’s nice spending your life with someone who shares your dreams, ideas, hopes, and beliefs. He works so hard to provide for us and is always changing, adapting, and moving forward to ensure that we are provided for. He is an amazing daddy that melts my heart when I see the love he has for his kids. I couldn’t ask for a better man to share my life with. Happy Monday!
I am very thankful for my wonderful fur friends!
I am thankful Alan came into my life. I lost him 22 years ago today, on a Monday. He’s given me just about everything I hold dear and precious. May God bless him, and keep him.
11/6/12 ~I am thankful for my job! I have the best coworkers around. We have tons of fun, and all have each others back. I am lucky to have a job in this economy, and even more blessed to have the best peeps to hang with for 8 hours of my day.
11/6–I am thankful for hot coffee on chilly fall mornings.
I am thankful for the right to vote and that the political ads, signs, calls, commercials etc. will be gone after today! Happy Tuesday!
11/7/12 ~I am thankful for my four doggies. They show me unconditional love. My oldest is 13, and still getting along pretty well. My youngest loves to run in the mud after a nice rain, and cause a nice mess with his counterpart. I love bathing a dog that weighs over 100 lbs., and another that weighs over 60 lbs. They keep me on my toes, that is for sure. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Love my babies!!
I am thankful for social media. I feel much more connected now. Especially veganism.
I am so thankful for creativity! It keeps me sane, inspired, and motivated.
I am thankful for my health! I do however have my health for the most part because if what I eat. I used to be sick frequently, along with not feeling well on a regular basis with headaches, tummy issues, sinus/allergies, bronchitis, colds, lethargic, etc… Because of my whole food, plant-based lifestyle, I have not had any of these issues arise. NONE, in over a year. That does not mean they will never happen, but to go this long without having any problems….I am completely thankful for.
I am thankful for Kombucha!!!!!!!
Today I am thankful for my beautiful, smart, creative, kind, loving, happy girls! They are out of school today and tomorrow and I get to spend some time with them. I am so proud of the young women they are becoming and excited to see what the future holds for them. I am proud of their journey on this plant based lifestyle, they still eat animal products on occasion when we are out or at someone else’s house but they are making good decisions and changing their way of thinking. I’m sure it’s extremely hard at the ages of 11 and 8 to give up all of the foods that the other kids are still eating. I’m just hope that teaching them this lifestyle stays with them for their whole life and helps them live long and healthy lives. I love them so much! <3
11/9/12 ~I am thankful for technology that allows me to stay connected with my dear friends.
11/10/12 ~I am thankful for all of the amazing friends I have met, as a result of living a plant-based lifestyle. They are so inspirational, and motivating to me. I love hearing everyone’s success stories!
11/11/12 ~Some of these Veterans Day quotes will bring a tear to our eyes. These quotes are a reminder of the sacrifices of our veterans. Make a solemn oath to your country this Veterans Day. Promise to be loyal and patriotic until your last breath.
Your patriotism need not involve joining the military. Each one of us can enlist ourselves as volunteers for public service, or community work. With social work, we can give back to society. Lest the sacrifice of our veterans go unsung, let us commemorate Veterans Day by spreading the message of unity. Wish your friends and family a happy Veterans Day. Quotes are a reminder of our privileged life, and we should cherish these words of inspiration.
•Patrick Henry
The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave…
•Napoleon Bonaparte
Victory belongs to the most persevering.
•Thomas Jefferson
From time to time, the tree of liberty must be watered with the blood of tyrants and patriots.
•John F. Kennedy
A young man who does not have what it takes to perform military service is not likely to have what it takes to make a living.
•Henry Knyvett
Soldiers are men… most apt for all manner of services and best able to support and endure the infinite toils and continual hazards of war.
•George Patton
The object of war is not to die for your country but to make the other bastard die for his.
•GYSGT Correll
Now I recall the Recon Marines ragged, filthy cammie shirted young men in green paint who move silent like the fog with deadly purpose in their eyes. Swift, Silent, Deadly. I smile.
•Mark Twain
In the beginning of a change, the patriot is a scarce man, and brave, and hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot.
•Arthur Koestler
The most persistent sound which reverberates through men’s history is the beating of war drums.
•Sun Tzu
Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys. Look on them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death!
•Cynthia Ozick
We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.
•Omar Bradley
Bravery is the capacity to perform properly even when scared half to death.
•Thucydides
The secret of happiness is freedom, and the secret of freedom, courage.
•George F. Kennan
Heroism is endurance for one moment more.
•Michel de Montaigne
Valor is stability, not of legs and arms, but of courage and the soul.
•Mark Twain
In the beginning of a change, the patriot is a scarce man, and brave, and hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot.
•Bernard Malamud
Without heroes, we are all plain people, and don’t know how far we can go.
•Carol Lynn Pearson
Heroes take journeys, confront dragons, and discover the treasure of their true selves.
•James A. Autry
I believe it is the nature of people to be heroes, given the chance.
•Benjamin Disraeli
Nurture your minds with great thoughts, to believe in the heroic makes heroes.
11/12/12 ~I am thankful for my new friends, and long time friends, and friends that have come and gone. I have something in common with all of them, and they all have touched my soul in one way or another. I embrace each one, and feel blessed to have been a part of their lives.
11/13/12 ~I am thankful for my furnace. I still remember what it was like to be without power for a week, after a huge snow/ice storm we had 6 years ago. I remember turning my gas oven on for a few hours, and moving my mattress as close to it as possible, so I could try and stay warm. Heat is such a blessing, and I am thankful for it!
11/14/12 ~I am thankful for my runs. I am thoroughly enjoying running at night. It is peaceful, and the chill in the air is exhilarating. My knee is finally starting to feel better, so k runs are getting longer. I will no longer take for granted my ability to run! I will enjoy it while it lasts.
11/15/12 ~I am thankful for my step-daughter and her mother. They are both incredible, loving, fun, honest, down to earth souls. I am truly blessed to be a part of their lives!
11/16/12 ~I am thankful for the opportunities to better myself.
11/17/12 ~I am thankful for the weekends! Love having time to veg and relax, and do whatever I want. I also love spending time with my husband!