Celebrated MY 71st birthday on Monday, November 11; and, I declared this as MY Sabbath Day.
“Sabbath as that uncluttered time
and space in which we can
distance ourselves from our own activities
to see what God is doing.” (Eugene Peterson)
This day of solitude was “to see what God is doing” in my life. Did He hear my prayers for happiness, peace, love, and tranquility?
In celebration of MY 71st Birthday, I selected 71 Statements from MY 2013 Daily Journal to confirm why I believe MY prayers were heard.
And, I AM GRATEFUL to God for…..
- Waking me up this morning after a restful night.
- The beautiful day. Sunshine and nice weather.
- The daily calls from each of my children.
- The love of my husband.
- Manicure and pedicure today. So grateful to have this biweekly outing with my Hubby. It’s a time for both of us to relax.
- Lunch with Hubby, tasty broccoli cheddar soup from Panera’s for only 300 calories.
- Peaceful and enjoyable day.
- This day of acknowledgement and recognition of the President, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Medgar Evers, Rosa Parks and other civil rights leaders.
- Living this season of my life in our Florida home. Today it was 75 degrees in Florida; and, 4 degrees in Wisconsin.
- Identifying MY Purpose during this Season of MY life.
- Meditating, listening to music, so relaxing.
- Love my hour daily respite. It rejuvenates and revitalizes ME for the remainder of the day.
- Completed weekly wash – devote remainder of weekend for self-development
- Audio books when I am lazy and need somebody to read to me.
- Beautiful and relaxing Sunday.
- Two-dozen red and white roses for Valentine Day from Hubby and bouquet of flowers from children.
- Five-year anniversary as a breast cancer survivor.
- God answered my prayer and returned ME to a good place.
- Giving a ride home from the hospital to our next-door neighbor who is battling Stage IV breast cancer.
- Avoiding conflict and not letting anyone steal my joy.
- Abundant love of my children.
- Enjoyable outing at the Holy Land Experience with friend and sister breast cancer survivor from Milwaukee who is visiting her son in Orlando. Great Day.
- Beautiful sunny day spent at my desk putting the final touches on this week’s post while at the same time taking peeks through the window at the green trees in the conservation area. Patio door open and a cool breeze flowing through.
- Venti, skinny decaf hazelnut latte from Starbucks.
- Showering and going to the YMCA. Really felt terrible this morning – up good part of night with excruciating shoulder pain. Followed Hubby’s expert advice to do something to distract and not to focus on pain. Worked.
- Hot oatmeal, fruit and turkey bacon prepared by Hubby.
- Re-starting my monthly breast exams.
- Controlled pain levels most days. This makes today’s excruciating pain easier to manage knowing pain-free days are ahead through the grace of God.
- Beautiful Friday. Enjoyed outing to Home Depot to check out plants for the lanai and house.
- Staying calm in the face of negativity.
- Loving and forgiving God who guides and watches over me.
- Opening the door to my creative side. A little scared but I will not be swayed by the FEAR of criticism.
- Starting second week of Oprah’s and Depak’s 21-day meditation challenge.
- Enjoyable telephone conversation with older daughter.
- Stretching before going to exercise this morning eased joint pain.
- Cleaning laundry room and hall closet.
- God’s unconditional love.
- Granddaughter, 21-years-old, place a hold on her life to love and be in the presence of her paternal grandmother throughout her stay in home/hospice care.
- Words flowing while writing this week’s post. Hope the re-read makes sense tomorrow.
- Moving toward living peaceful and productive life.
- Dinner out with Hubby celebrating 53rd Wedding Anniversary.
- Restarting morning gratitude project and this journal.
- The beautiful flowers and plants that surround and comfort me daily.
- My home it is my haven and brings ME peace, joy and serenity.
- Beautiful “Be Still Day” following morning yoga class and grocery shopping.
- Sunshine after days of clouds and rain.
- Beginning MY de-cluttering project by unsubscribing to the outrageous number of emails I have to plough through daily.
- Living, learning and loving today.
- Taking the time to write in this journal. This is a stress reliever.
- Living and enjoying this season of MY life in Florida.
- Spending time to focus on inner peace.
- Restarting healthier eating habits.
- Pacing my activities today.
- Getting up at 5:00 a.m., sitting on lanai, enjoying a cup of coffee and listening to audio book, Simple Abundance:
- Following the path to find joy, peace and serenity.
- Joining on-line early morning service at Trinity United Church of Christ, Chicago, Illinois. Enjoyed sermon..
- Serenity and tranquility in my warm home environment.
- Sixty minute massage – so restful and relaxing.
- DVD from Arthritis on water aerobics.
- Aqua Zumba class.
- Embracing the present moment and eliminating the fear.
- Opportunity to express MY views and voice MY opinions through MY blog.
- Spending time with Hubby today. Enjoyed the movie.
- Outing at Home Goods my favorite place to buy things for the home.
- Exercising one hour at the YMCA.
- Honoring God and expressing appreciation to Him for watching over and protecting ME.
- First yoga class.
- Stretching before starting my day.
- Cortisone shot and knee pain relief.
- Celebrating MY 71st Birthday in fairly good health striving to improve the quality of my life.
Listed under one Gratitude Statement, the 71st thing that I am Grateful for on this 71st birthday is that I am . . .
- Walking – but, it is sometimes painful;
- Breathing – sometimes allergies make it difficult;
- Seeing – while eyeglasses needed for distance, they are removed for reading;
- Hearing – though my left ear bothers me, the right ear is fine;
- Feeling – loved by God, Husband, Children and Grandchildren, extended family, friends;
- Learning – to live in accordance with God’s plan;
- Journaling – expressing gratitude at the end of each day; and
- Blogging – I am not a writer, but I have a lot to say and a desire to connect with like-minded people.
Closing this post with MY favorite quotes for the week:
- Gratitude – “Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer and let faith be the one bridge you build to overcome evil and welcome good.” (Maya Angelou)
- Happiness – “… is not something ready-made it comes from your own actions.” (Dalai Lama)
- Peace – “If we have no peace it is because we have forgotten that we belong to others.” (Mother Theresa)
- Love – “I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, but only love.” (Mother Theresa)
- Tranquility – “Only the development of compassion and understanding for others can bring us the tranquility and happiness we all seek.” (Dalai Lama)
SeasonedSistah 
sounds to me that you’re learning how to find happiness from within…the best and long-lasting kind
of happiness!
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It’s a work-in-progress, but each day I strive to move forward. It took me years to learn that “true happiness” comes from within. I spent far to many years looking to people, work, family, friends, material things, places, etc. to make me happy. When these things went awry, I was unhappy.
In this early stage of “seeking true happiness,” I am spending more and more days being “Happy” than “Unhappy.” Thank you for your support and friendship.
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Happy Blessed Birthday to you Yvonne! May the coming year be filled with health, wealth, love, joy and all your wishes fulfilled! Congratulations on your 71 gratitudes! What a beautiful way to enjoy your birthday! You have many blessings in your life! Keep counting them! ♥♥♥
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Thank you for your comments and birthday wish.es. Indeed, it was a “HAPPY Birthday”. Sometimes, we need to “BE STILL,” BREATHE, and “BE HAPPY.”
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So happy you enjoyed yourself! ♥
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Wow! I just read almost your entire blog. You are one inspirational woman and have truly inspired me. I live a very difficult and trying life. I suffer from several chronic illnesses and chronic pain. I think I have about everything, but cancer. Knock on wood. I sure wish I was as positive as you are. I try and I will continue trying. The pain is just unbearable. I’m going to have to visit your blog often and just keep re-reading it. You are simply amazing. You go girl! 🙂
Tammy
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Thank you for your uplifting comments. In choosing to start a blog in January 2013 I, too, stepped out of my “comfort zone”. So, I can relate to you on several levels — a chronic pain survivor and a new blogger. You have prompted ME to write about my twenty year chronic pain journey and questioning why the the past thirteen years have been less painful than the first seven.
I so appreciate your allowing me to join you on your journey. Via our blogs, we can lean on each other for encouragement, guidance and support.
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You got it, girl! We walk this journey together and along the way we will encourage, guide, and support. When I claim I’m giving up, make sure you give me the lecture. LOL I don’t see you ever giving up on this blog, any way. That’s why you inspire me so much. Everything you have been through and continue to go through, you are truly one amazing woman and I’d be honored to take any advice, encouragement or whatever else you have to offer. I’m following your blog and am looking forward to getting to know you better and to proudly walk along side you on this difficult journey. I hope you are having a good day, my new friend. Do you have another name I can call you other than seasonedisistah2? If you are uncomfortable sharing your real name, I understand and I’ll still feel the same way about you.
Wild Thang aka Tammy 🙂
One of my wonderful friends here gave me the name Wild Thang!:)
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My real name is Yvonne. Sorry for the delay in responding, but a serious bronchitis flareup required testing, treatment and followup resulting in a week-long stay in the hospital. Things are pretty much back to normal now. Catching up on reading my blogging friend’s posts and responding to their comments.
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Oh, gosh, Yvonne, so sorry to hear about that. I hope you are feeling so much better, now. I’m pretty weak right now and may need a little lecture from you, after you have a chance to read the post I just posted. I feel like giving up, girl. I’m really, really having a hard time. I’ve not been on as much lately, as I’ve not been doing well and have been kind of taking a break, but today I lost it and needed to get it off my chest. Just a part of my journey, and I share it all. Take care, my dear friend and try to stay well, would ya? I know it’s a tough job, but someone’s gotta do it.
Peace, love, and hugs,
Wild Thang
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Just finished reading your last post. Your words touched my soul — what a Gift, you have, for bringing readers into your space. Don’t give up. Your posts have uplifted and inspired ME; and, I believe others as well. Incorporating meditation and mindfulness, like you recommended in one of your posts, made a huge difference in the quality of my life. In this regard, currently I am on Day 8 of the 21 Day Mediation by Oprah & DePak, “Desire and Destination.” Also, just began reading, “Forgiveness,” by Iyanla Vanzant which I hope will rid me of some past toxic memories that continue to invade my space — preventing me from leading an authentic and abundant life. As I write this response, I am experiencing “physical pain at a Level 8,” but this pain is offset by a strong belief that, “this too will pass.” I feel confident that when I visit my orthopaedic doctor on Thursday, the cortisone injection into my right/left knee, will bring relief. I pray as you go down this chronic pain journey that you remain empowered to continue looking for options to properly treat your condition. Peace, Love and Happiness.
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Hi Yvonne. Thanks for stopping by and reading my posts. Thank you for all your kind words of inspiration and prayers. I’ve currently come down with this wicked flu. I’m on day 5 and getting worse, but it’s keeping me in line because I’m so sick. When this flu passes, I’ll try my best to climb back out of the dark hole, once again, that I’ve fallen into and try to practice what I preach. I’m glad that I’ve inspired you, in the past. I guess, if we just keep on inspiring each other we can help each other along on this difficult journey. I hope your pain has eased up. You’re due for some good days. Let me know how you are getting along, after that cortisone injection to your knees. I have to get those in my hips and they really help for about 3 months. I need to go have that done again, soon.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Peace, love, and hugs,
Tammy
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Comment on pain. When the pain is really bad, I had read some time ago to reflect on the
wounds of Christ instead. It works 🙂
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You are so right. Currently, as a part of my early morning quiet/stillness hour, I am reading, “The President’s Devotional: The Daily Reading that Inspired President Obama.” He described the daily readings as “a scrippet of Scripture for me to reflect on.” Powerful scripture readings and prayers. Sorry for the delay in responding to your comments. But, you probably know how hectic it was during the holiday. My routine was completely off-kilter.
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