The Power of Gratitude

Care Giving makes it difficult to be grateful for anything because the day to day responsibilities of Care Giving are intense.

The power of gratitude is strong and I know from experience that when I am grateful for whatever comes into my  life, I tend to attract more grateful moments to show gratitude.

The converse is true too, bitch and moan and more bitching and moaning opportunities will present themselves.  It's a simple law of nature known as the law of attraction.

Care Giving is way too hard on me personally since my mom began projectile crapping all over the house.  I know that she can't control herself, it's just part of her illness.  However, even though I know that she isn't shitting on the floor on purpose, I still get upset.

Raising my fist toward the Heavens I have screamed ... WHY ME?!  Unfortunately, the Universe keeps answering my question with more of the same.  For the New Year, I am changing how I perceive my mom's daily gifts.  {wink}

I've noticed that when I get upset, it just brings on more upsetting moments, more crap, more NO's, more events that bring me to tears.  I need to break this horrible thinking because it is not serving me, it's only making my Care Giving more difficult to handle.

The Power of Gratitude

The mind is a powerful tool.  It can either make our lives feel full of love and joy or it can give us the perception that the world is coming to an end.  It's all perception, everything in life is based on how we view our current situation, it's only as real as our minds make it.  I know this but still I fall into the trap of negative thinking which manifests into all things that suck.

This year, 2011, I chose to be grateful and feed gratitude so that it spreads through out my life bringing with it more moments that I can be grateful.  I feel that I need to do something to change how much my life seems to suck lately.  I've experienced that life is a state of mind.

A big thank you to the Universe for all the times this year that I felt joyful.   Thank you to all the people in my life that brought me a lift when I needed it the most.

Top of the list is my husband.  I'm grateful to have such an understanding and loving life partner.  I'm grateful for all that he does to keep us all safe with a roof over our heads and food on the table.  I am grateful for the love and friendship that we share. He is my best friend; I am grateful to have a friend who loves me like he does.

Next come all of my siblings and cousins, especially Maryann.

My sister Ann.  We mended our relationship this year... I am grateful for my sister and the book that fell off the shelf when she walked by... a book that opened a door that I believed was shut forever.  I'm grateful that my sister forgave me for all the mean things that I had believed and said.  I love her.

Ann, she came through for me in a big way this year.  She was instrumental in helping get our mom acclimated to Adult Day Healthcare; she paid for a companion one day a week who took my mom to the day program.  My mom, she now goes to "school" every day by herself and loves it because of the help that I received from Ann.

I'm grateful for Marty and Patricia.  My brother and sister-in-law who took in my frail Aunt Jay.  I couldn't care for her in my home, my plate was too full.  I worried.  I cried.  I prayed.

My prayer was answered with one simple sentence, "Jay is coming to live with us!"  I love my brother and Patricia.  I'm grateful that they were able to forgive me and my sharp tongue.

Donna.  I'm grateful for the time my sister Donna had given throughout the year.  Thank you Donna.  I'm grateful for the time you were able to give and spend with Ma.  Sorry that I have a knack for pissing you off; I didn't show gratitude for what you WERE able to do to help me, no wonder you got upset.  I love you, Donna and appreciate all of your time.

I'm grateful for Maryann and Dan, her husband.  My cousin has always been as close to me as a sister.  I'm grateful that she forgave me.  I'm grateful that our friendship is restored and that we talk.

I missed her and am grateful to have her around now during challenging family times.  Maryann is the ONLY ONE who knows what I am living through, I am grateful for her and Dan's wisdom.

My little cousin, Uncle Al's Lil' Princess... I'm grateful for her existence.  Her presence makes me smile and laugh, she reminds me not to take life too seriously.  I am grateful for her imagination and her enthusiasm for life.



My nephews.

I'm grateful to have them all in my life.  I know we don't see each other all that often but when we do, I am grateful for the affection they give to me.  I love you guys.


I love all of my nephews, niece-in-law and significant others.  I am grateful that they read my blog so that they can understand "the crazy gene."

I'm grateful for my Great Nephew.  He fills my heart with joy.  I love his face and his big personality.  I look forward to the years when he knows who I am.  I am grateful for his bright smile.


My niece, Amy.  I am grateful that she is back in my life.  I'm grateful for her summer visits with Gram and the memories we were able to capture for posterities sake.

I'm grateful for my cousins Joan and Louise, April and Dewey and of course their little guy.

I'm grateful that I have a few of my Aunts and Uncle alive to share life events.  Thank you for all the love you gave me when I was growing up, I am grateful.

I am grateful that my Mother-in-law doesn't need more help and can do things for herself.  I'm grateful that she chose to give birth to my husband; I'd be lost without him.

I'm grateful for Dr. Barton and his gentle and holistic approach to treating my mom's illness.   I'm grateful for acupuncture and herbal remedies, they both help give my mom better days.

I am grateful for Shinnerpunch and his review of my blog.  He gave me insight into myself through his review (you can read the review here.)  His critique has helped me to be a better person, I'm not so quick to write a scathing blog post if someone pisses me off.  I write the posts now, often they go unpublished.  I am grateful for his time and advice.  Thank you.

I am grateful.  I'm grateful for Elder Services and our Care Manager, David.  I'm grateful for Belkis, my mom's Home Care Attendant and Companion.  I'm grateful for the All Care Adult Day Health Program and all the nurses and aides that take care of my mom during the week.

I'm grateful for everything, even the little things.

Gratitude begets gratitude.  I feel better already, just writing this post.  I'm grateful for my blog and all who read it.

Thank you and Happy New Year, 2011!