From Thankfulness to Gratitude

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Originally uploaded by MAPryor.

Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude. Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness. Thankfulness may consist merely of words. Gratitude is shown in acts. (Henri Frederic Amiel)

I like the action part of gratitude--it is shown in acts. You can be thankful for something, but it is even more wonderful when you do something to show your thankfulness or your appreciation. Acts of gratitude may cost you your time, but it is time well spent. People love to be the recipient of something thoughtful. The next time you are at work, buy your co-worker a cup of coffee or a favorite candy. Bake cookies for your family and then share them with neighbors.
Look for opportunities to give to someone. In your daily routine of life, you are around many people that need a hug, a kind word, clothes or food. Put action into your thankfulness and do something kind for someone.

The Ability to Dream

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Originally uploaded by MAPryor.

"In my garden there is a large place for sentiment. My garden of flowers is also my garden of thoughts and dreams. The thoughts grow as freely as the flowers, and the dreams are as beautiful."

HOPE - By Emily Dickinson

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Originally uploaded by MAPryor.

Hope is the thing with feathers;
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all,

And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm;
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.

I 've heard it in the chillest land,
And on the strangest sea;
Yet, never, in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me.

We've Come A Long Way Baby - Deb's Perspective

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Originally uploaded by MAPryor.

Mark posted a picture taken of me 14 years ago as we were just embarking on our new journey called marriage. This picture of Mark was taken the same day! I can still remember standing in our home posing for the camera. This "home" has many happy memories! I can remember many times sitting on the couch talking and saying how much I loved it! I can also remember all the flops of a meal I cooked as I endeavored to come up with a new meal. We have many great laughs over these adventurous meals. I thought I could cook something just because I saw someone else cook it. Soon, Mark would ask did you cook this or did you watch someone else make it. If the answer was I watched, he would smile and we would settle for our old standbys. Oh, the life of an evangelist--precious memories. Babe, God has been good to us. You are the BEST!!