Ever since my bout with FBC, I have felt gratitude more than at any other point in my life. Certainly not FOR FBC, but because of all of the things that have come along with it.
There’s something about being so incredibly vulnerable…and still…that helped me first identify and then acknowledge the gratitude that was omnipresent during and continues to be present in my life. What a Silver Lining!
What is gratitude, exactly? Well, to me, gratitude means thankfulness, counting your blessings, noticing simple pleasures, and acknowledging everything that you receive. It means learning to live your life as if everything were a miracle, and being aware on a continuous basis of how much you’ve been given.
Gratitude shifts your focus from what your life lacks to the abundance that is already present. While I’ve always been a 1/2-full kind of girl, as a result of FBC, I’m now so much more aware of what I have: family, friends, health, love, LIFE!
Expressing gratitude has made me happier and more resilient. It has strengthened my relationships, improved my health, and it reduced stress.
Along with the acknowledgment of gratitude, I feel the need to express it.
So, how to do it? Well, one way is by saying “Thank you” in unexpected ways at unexpected times. And what better way than a good old-fashioned certificate?
Since you all know it is my goal to find (and then share) Silver Linings, I thought creating a printable Certificate of Gratitude that we could all of us share with the world would be a easy peasy and fun way to put a smile on someone’s face whom we really appreciate.
I wish I’d had something like this for my chemo and radiation nurses. Heck, I’m pretty sure my hair stylist has needed one of these for years. And of course The HOTY and Sweetly Six deserve these daily.
Who are your Silver Linings? Who are you grateful for?
If you’d like to pass around this certificate, just click the link below and print out the PDF. And please do share who you’re giving this to! I’d love to hear your stories!
Click here to download, print and share your own Certificate of Gratitude!
I pinned and presented my Silver Pen Certificate of Gratitude for: My Husband for his emotional support during and after my FBC. He was and is, my rock!
So, so, so happy to hear this, Carolee! Wonderful!
"Gratitude shifts your focus from what your life lacks to the abundance that is already present." Boy, are those words to live by! After a very discombobulating work week I got home, put on my "comfies" and started reading my emails. There was your wonderful post, what joyful treats your blog and Frances' are, they make me think, sometimes laugh and always make my days even brighter, most definitely they are Silver Linings. I am grateful for the parents I was given, who taught me faith, hope, laughter, to appreciate kindness, be grateful for the simplest of blessings, be resilient, and find joy in the everyday. Wow, that was a mouthful! Wishing you and yours a lovely, lovely weekend. Tomorrow is a Pajama Day in my nest for sure!
Thank you for your comment, E.B. It is beautiful! Enjoy your PAJAMA DAY!
Love that EB… Hollye, last year I wrote about a talk given by Jerry Posner, sort of a gratitude specialist, at Canyon Ranch. He played the ukelele at the end – which was funny but also made his point about the importance of practice. He encouraged us to keep a "gratitude journal," which I do to this day… He is at http://www.JerryPosner.com, and my post is here: http://www.francesschultz.com/1180
LOVED this post!
Oh, I forgot to thank you for the certificate of appreciation. I made a few copies of it yesterday to send to my friends who do so much for me. Loving the opportunity to give an "official" award!!!
jp
Oh how wonderful, jp. THANK YOU! Hope the award is a hit!