GRATEFUL TO THE ALMIGHTY FOR "SANDY"

I am grateful to the Almighty for my awesome weekend!!!!!   I have learned to have joy and not to answer when I have decided will upset or hurt me.   This has given me time to do all the things that I love to do.

I went to services.  I went to kiddush with friends.  I walked.  I went to see the film, THE OTHER SON.   On Sunday, I walked.  I went to yoga.  I read the newspapers.  I went for a manicure and pedicure and out to dinner.

I could do all this because I do not let myself get trapped by ever answering any remarks.

THEN THE BEST THING OF ALL!!!!!!

I am grateful to the Almighty for creating, SANDY, a monster storm that has everything closed Monday and Tuesday.   So I got to sleep late.    Here I am!!!

I am grateful to the Almighty!!!!!

GRATEFUL TO THE ALMIGHTY FOR HIS PROTECTION

As I sat in services today, I thought about how grateful I am for HIS protection.

I hope that He continues to protect me!!!!!

GRATITUDE FOR GOD GIVEN REALISM

I am so grateful to the Almighty for the gift of realism.   

Whatever I do or say to "those people," I never let my guard down.  I never believe that they are something that they aren't.   They believe that I have forgotten what they did, but I haven't!!!  I am a different person.  I'm a person who takes care of themselves first.

Thank you, Almighty, for the gift of realism.

GRATEFUL FOR LAST NIGHT

Thank you Almighty for giving me last night.   Yoga was wonderful and it was so great to have a friend to talk to at dinner.

It was the kind of dinner that I thought that married couples have.  It was relaxed.  There was humor and sharing.

This is why I always had to look for these qualities outside of marriage.

GRATITUDE FOR CLARITY OF MIND

I was driving to work today, noticing the color of leaves and all the wonderful Halloween decorations.  I was smiling at the creativity of people.

I realized something very important as I was doing this.   That is, that I am no longer thinking up strategies for my survival with the triad.  I am living in the moment and enjoying my life.  My mind is clear and yes, I am happy.

In the past, I never thought about the beauty of the world around me.  I was too busy keeping myself safe. 

Now I know that I am safe and I can enjoy life.

I am very grateful to the Almighty for this clarity of mind.   It makes my life enriched and beautiful.

GRATEFUL FOR LEARNING TO STRATEGIZE

I am grateful to the Almighty for all the new things that I have learned.   I feel so good about myself.   Ever since July 31, I have learned to think of myself FIRST and that has made my life so much better.

Last night I attended the first class at the ADULT JEWISH STUDIES INSTITUTE. I went by myself to a synagogue that I have never been to before.  I was a bit uncomfortable going alone, but the Almighty gave me the strength.   I sat with friends who were taking the class and I really enjoyed it.   Rather than a serious class, I opted for a lighter one just last night and just walked in to the new class and found many of my friends taking it.  I had told him that I was taking the serious class and saw no reason to update him.   A new strategy has been born!!!!

I came home to get a phone call from my close friend's daughter.  She is planning a GIRLS NIGHT  for  a small group of her mother's friends and I am invited.  I was very happy.


Life is falling into a wonderful pattern and I thank the Almighty for this!!!!!

GRATEFUL FOR SILENCE

I want to thank the Almighty for a wonderful weekend!!!   I have learned the gift of silence so that I didn't have to answer anything that I didn't want to.  That made the weekend even better.

As a result of this new way of being, I can truly think of retirement. 

I am so grateful!!!!

GRATEFUL FOR ANOTHER WONDERFUL DAY

Thank you Almighty for giving me the ability to create wonderful days for myself no matter what happens.

Last night, we went to dinner in a little Greek place.  We saw the film WAITING FOR SUGARMAN.  

I took a great walk this morning for 2 hours.  Then I went to my  yoga class.  My Matzah went to PJC for a Celebration of the Animals.   I came home, ate breakfast, read newspapers and went on the computer.

I will be back at Absolute Yoga for a Restorative Workshop this afternoon.

I am having a wonderful day which is part of my mantra:   I WILL HAVE JOY!!  I WILL HAVE ENERGY!!!  I WILL HAVE A GOOD DAY!!!

Thank you Almighty for this blessing!

GRATEFUL FOR A BEAUTIFUL DAY

I am grateful to the Almighty for a wonderful service at synagogue and a beautiful day to walk.  It is truly gorgeous outside!!!!!

GRATEFUL FOR THIS AFTERNOON!!!!

I am so grateful to the Almighty for this wonderful afternoon!!!!!

GRATEFUL FOR LAST NIGHT AND TODAY

I am grateful to the Almighty for the wonderful time that I had last night.  What could be better than dinner with friends and a book discussion?  I even got to see a condo in a 55 and older community.

Today, my mantra is to have joy.  I will have energy and I will have a good day.  I'm getting my hair colored and cut.   I can take a ZUMBA LESSON from Sisterhood at PJC.

I do have to say Kaddish for my Father.  Today is the day he died.  I will remember him.  That is the right thing to do.  Many of the qualities that I have came from his side of the family and although difficult, it helped me to survive.

Thank you Almighty for watching over me.....

GRATEFUL FOR A DAY OFF

If I'm going to retire, which I can,  now that I can handle the triad,  I need to know if I enjoy taking days off.

Today I didn't go to work and it was wonderful.  I walked, read newspapers, drank coffee and went to my Yoga Book Club!!!

Tonight I'm going to the Sisterhood Book Club.

I am grateful to the Almighty for my life!!!!!

GRATEFUL FOR THE QUIET

I do not answer what I choose not to discuss and because of that it is quiet.  I know that if pressed to discuss what I don't want to, I can leave the room etc.

This has given me so much more free time.  In the beginning, it was hard to accept the quiet.  I have become VERY COMFORTABLE with it.  As a result of this, I am free to do many enjoyable things.

Yesterday, I got a very funky mani/pedi.  After dinner I went and I took him, because he wanted to go, to Candidate's Night at our synagogue.  I feel so comfortable there.


I am so grateful to the Almighty for my life!!!!!

GRATEFUL FOR SIGHT

I am grateful to the Almighty for helping me to see my life.  He must have been frustrated with me because all I was doing was hiding out in a school.  I didn't realize what a wonderful life I could have and the things that I could do.  I didn't realize that I had to "stop" teaching and walk out of rooms.  I didn't realize that I wasn't obligated to do holidays for non-believers.   I didn't realize that it was time to put "ME" first.

NoW I SEE THAT!!!!!   I CAN RETIRE AND HAVE A LIFE!!!.

With this in mind, I sat in my office today, happily working.  I accomplished a lot. However, the most important thing that I accomplished was knowing when the ending would happen.

I don't know what adventures I will have as the years go by. However, I do know that I am ready for them.

I am grateful to the Almighty for not giving up on me and helping me to see myself for who I am.

GRATEFUL FOR WE DID IT!!!!

I had a wonderful day!!!

I am so grateful to the Almighty!!!!

GRATEFUL FOR STRENGTH AND FORTITUDE

I am grateful to the Almighty for the strength and fortitude that he has given me in the face of adversity.

As I prayed at services this morning,  I realized how far I have come and how grateful I am for my own life.

GRATITUDE FOR SENDING KEVEN

Thank you Almighty for what you have done for me.    You are truly watching over me and for this, I am so grateful.

Thank you for sending Kevin Mulligan who wants to buy our condo.   I really do not have happy memories there and I wanted the condo to be gone.   It doesn't serve me any longer.  I am searching for things to eliminate that don't serve me any longer.    I didn't want to leave the area and you provided Bath and Tennis.  That is so perfect because I love the beach and I love to read.

I am grateful.

GRATEFUL FOR IT DOESN'T SERVE YOU

I am now in the process of evaluating what I do and whether it serves me or not.

Thank you Almighty for the wonderful position that I am in!!!!!

GRATEFUL FOR HEARING

Sometimes you just have to be ready to hear something.  Even if this is something that you have heard many, many times you need to be ready.    Then suddenly, it clicks.

Last night, I took my Restorative Yoga Class with Adrienne. She spoke of having an intention.  She spoke of letting go and being in the present.  She said that the past is over and we don't get to change it.   We don't know the future.  All we have is the present.  We should live in the present moment.

I knew that.  But, I would obsess about the past and the anger that I have towards the triad. I would plan strategies for the future.   I would not really live in the present.

 Then Adrienne said to get rid of what doesn't serve you.  It clicked.   I don't have to be bothered with thoughts that don't serve me.  Thoughts about the triad in the past do not help me move forward.  Planning an unknown future is impossible.

Now, when I have a negative thought and it doesn't serve me, I will work at moving on.  I will not allow a thought that doesn't serve me to be there.   I will try and recognize that I don't live in the past and don't know the future.

I will try to be in the moment.

MY MOMENT!!!  NO ONE ELSES!!!!

I'm so happy that I heard this.

Finally I heard this and it will serve me well.

I am grateful to the Almighty for hearing!!!!!

GRATEFUL FOR STRENGTH AND FORTITUDE

I am grateful to the Almighty for my life.   I have moved forward and I'm doing so many delightful things that I choose to do.  It tok a lot of strength to get to this point and thanks to the Almighty, I have it.

I have stopped having a pity-party for myself and have moved on to appreciate all that life has given me including good heath, a nice job and friends and activities.

Tonight, I'm going to Restorative Yoga.

I am grateful.

GRATEFUL FOR THE GIFT OF YOM TOV!!!!

I am grateful to the Almighty for the gift of Yom Tov!!!!  The services were very spiritual.  Seeing my friends is always wonderful.

I am grateful for my health and thankful to the Almighty for my life!!!!

GRATEFUL THAT OUR SCHEDULES AREN'T THE SAME

The early morning hours were beautiful and I was able to complete my 2 hour walk.  I  am so grateful to the Almighty for that.  It's a gift in October.   I went to my yoga class and made a plan to have dinner with my instructor at the end of the month.  I put gas in the car and was able to go to Weight Watchers for the month of October.   I even got to go on some errands.

Arriving home, I realized that he was there and strategies would have to begin.  I began to be conscious of my words.  But, shockingly, he had errands to do and I was given more quiet time.

I am so grateful to the Almighty for this.

GRATEFUL FOR THE SHABBOS OF SUKKOT

I loved today and I'm grateful to the Almighty for it.  From services, to the Sukkot Hop, to friendship and the evening minyon, it was a wonderful day!!!!

GRATEFUL TO THE ALMIGHTY FOR HAPPINESS

I am grateful to the Almighty for the happiness that I feel about my own life.  I feel good.  I feel in-charge.  I know what the triad is going to do before they do it and I have to laugh. Really nothing gets in the way of what I have decided to do for myself.

I am very grateful to the Almighty for this!!!!

GRATEFUL FOR EMBRACING MY OWN LIFE

Last night I went to a retirement party of a friend that I work with.  Her entire family was there.  I saw the inter-relationship of all the family members.  I remember the stories that I had heard through the years.  I was very happy for her.  She had made the right decision to retire.

I thought about myself.  I have embraced the new life that I have.  I'm not looking back and regretting anything.  Each of us is given a destiny by the Almighty.  We can' fight fate.  We have to embrace what we have.

My intention is yo do just that.  I believe that for the most part, for most of the day, I succeed.  Every now and then, I might backslide, but then, I pull myself back and say, "why re-visit that?'

I am grateful to the Almighty to be given the opportunity to create a new life for myself.

GRATEFUL FOR THE NEW ME

I didn't realized how my life had changed for the better until I walked into my Restorative Yoga class last night and were greeted by people who asked me where I had been.  I realized that to them this was part of my life.

I realized that I was so busy seeing the negative that I didn't realize how different I was and how rich my life was.  I participated fully in yoga.  Then I went home, said hello to him and proceeded to read my new book.  I've become quiet around him, sharing only what is necessary. I went to watch a television show that I like, never bothering to mention it to him.

Our instructor said something very important in yoga.  She said that we clutter our minds with thoughts that we repeat daily.  I vowed to catch myself when I do that.  That should be a challenge, but I'm up to it.

I am grateful to the Almighty for the new me and more than that, I'm grateful to have recognized this.

Thank you Almighty!!!!!!

GRATEFUL FOR FREEDOM

I am grateful to the Almighty for the freedom that I feel in my life.  It's my mantra.  I am free to have joy.  I am free to have a wonderful day.   I am free from everyone else's worries.  I am not in charge of everyone's life, just mine.  Freedom is a wonderful feeling.

I am grateful to the Almighty for guiding me to realize this.

GRATEFUL THAT I HAVE CREATED A LIFE FOR ME

Thank you so much Almighty for my life.   As I go through the different activities of my days, I realize that I have created, with your help of course, a wonderful life and that I can retire and continue to enjoy my life.

I realized this weekend that ABSOLUTELY NOTHING THAT HE CAN DO WILL UPSET ME!!!!!   He did try and failed.  I don't care.

I am so grateful to you, Almighty for not giving upon me!!!!!