GRATEFUL FOR EACH NEW DAY

I am grateful to the Almighty for each new day and all that it will bring.

Thank you, Almighty.

GRATEFUL FOR HAPPINESS

I am grateful to the Almighty because I am happy.

Yesterday I took a yoga class and the instructor asked us to focus on an intention. I focused on happiness.

Since I have been retired, I have been happy and I hope that it continues.

Happiness isn't about having everything.  It is about being grateful for the things that you do have.

I am grateful that I will be going to the first seder at PJC.  I am grateful that I have retired and am enjoying what I am doing.

I am grateful for the books that I read and the yoga classes that I take.

Thank you, Almighty for the gift of happiness.

I am grateful.

GRATEFUL FOR MY BLESSINGS

I am grateful to the Almighty for all of my blessings.

I am grateful to Him because I have closed the door to the past and live only in the moment.

Today's moment is yoga and Passover preparations.

There is snow on the ground, fresh from last night.

Thank you, Almighty for my blessings.

I am grateful.

GRATITUDE FOR SHANTI

I am grateful to the Almighty for sending me shanti on this cold and snowy Sabbath.

Thank you, Almighty.

I am grateful.

GRATEFUL FOR MY LIFE

I am grateful to the Almighty for my new retired life.

I am absolutely loving all the wonderful things that I am doing.

I am grateful to the Almighty because my dental checkup was a success and my bonding didn't break.

I was able to read and watch my television program.

I am going to two yoga classes today!!!

Tonight is the Sabbath.  No snow is predicted and I will attend services tomorrow.  Passover preparations are going very well.

I am grateful to the Almighty for my new life.

Thank you.

GRATEFUL FOR PERCEPTION

I am grateful to the Almighty because He has given me the gift of perception.

I am grounded.  I am strong.   I am able to be calm, and quiet and to understand other people. This has made me calm, cool and collected.

I am having a wonderful week.  Lunch out with new friends, yoga classes, book discussions, watching television shows that I have streamed have been the best.  I have even been able to walk on a few of the days.

The yoga instructors are amazing.  I learn so much from them and it helps me in life.  Today's class for example dealt with loving yourself.

I have even cleaned out boxes of storage that needed to be let go.

Today I have to go to the dentist.  I hope that my bonding doesn't break.

What does he add to this mix?  Discussions on backaches, loose bowel movements,  cancer, death and chores are the topics that I can expect from him.  I forgot silence where in the past, I would ask, "what's wrong" and discover that it was something I did.  Then I had to defend myself.  That's all gone now!!!!!  I forgot the old reliable, calling brokers to buy a new condo.  That's his Spring activity to bait me.

I'm enjoying each day of my very own wonderful new life.

I am grateful for the gift of perception.

Thank you, Almighty.

GRATEFUL THAT I WENT TO YOGA

I am grateful to the Almighty because I went to yoga today.

I heard the most amazing thing:

LET IT GO!!!!!  GO WITH THE FLOW!!

That made so much sense to me especially having to live and work with the Triad.  The instructor talked about not being rigid and going with the flow.  It is true that I did try to create a husband/wife relationship, tried to teach the girls secular and religious values.  I have no guilt about that.  

However, it's time not to force the issue and accept what they are.

LET IT GO!!!  GO WITH THE FLOW!!!

Thank you, Almighty for sending me to this class. 

I am grateful!!

GRATITUDE FOR BEING CALM

I am grateful to the Almighty because I have become fully aware of the need to remain calm.

Yesterday at yoga, the instructor spoke of the importance of calmness.  However what hit home was when she said that it was easy to be calm when things were quiet.  It is much harder to remain calm in the face of adversity.

I had just read an article about that in the newspaper.  People without heart conditions can have heart attacks if they become enraged even for one hour.

It would be easy for that to happen to me considering the Triad that I deal with.  However, by using the techniques that I have learned in yoga, I am able to make sure that this doesn't happen.

This doesn't mean that the Triad doesn't carry on.  It means that I have learned to let it go. Letting go has become part of me.

I am grateful to the Almighty for sending me to yoga so that I can learn how to take care of myself in the face of adversity.

Thank you.

GRATEFUL FOR RESTORED DIGNITY

Dignity...

    “Your dignity can be mocked, abused, compromised, toyed with, lowered and even badmouthed, but it can never be taken from you. You have the power today to reset your boundaries, restore your image, start fresh with renewed values and rebuild what has happened to you in the past. ”

                                                                                                                                                   

That is what happened to me with my parents and then with him.

I am so grateful to the Almighty because I was able, with His help, to restore my dignity.

Thank you, Almighty.

I am grateful.

GRATEFUL FOR A NEW DAY

I am grateful to the Almighty for a new day.

Spring is in the air even though it's still very cold outside.

I am grateful that I have been walking as well as going to yoga.

I have had lunch with new friends.

Today I will go to yoga, walk and attend an afternoon book club.

I am grateful to the Almighty for all of this.

Thank you!!!!

Later:  My yoga class was amazing!!!! The instructor spoke of how easy it is to be calm when things are going well. The important thing is to stay calm in the face of adversity!!! That is an important idea for me to internalize!!!!

GRATEFUL THAT THE ALMIGHTY IS IN MY LIFE

I am grateful that the Almighty is in my life.

He protects me as a Father would and I am so grateful for this.

I am looking forward to a wonderful new day filled with exciting activities.

Thank you Almighty for being there for me.

I am grateful.

GRATEFUL FOR MY REBIRTH

I am grateful to the Almighty because I have become a new person.

I am healthy.

I am happy.

I no longer carry around the disappointments of my life.  I celebrate myself as well as my accomplishments.  I take joy in each day.

I am grateful to the Almighty for helping me get to this new stage of my life.

I feel as if I have been reborn.

Thank you, Almighty.

I am grateful.

GRATEFUL FOR BECOMING ME

I am grateful to the Almighty because I went to yoga yesterday and learned the true meaning of the word "AUTHENTIC."

I thought that it meant that you would look inside yourself to see who you are.  But, it goes deeper than that.

It means that you become the person that you were meant to be.  You are not the person that pleases everyone else.

All my life I have pleased other people.  If they were happy then I could be happy.

Now it is time to please myself.  What makes me happy??

I am grateful to the Almighty because I have learned this.

I am grateful.

GRATEFUL THAT I AM CONTENT AND AT PEACE

I am grateful to the Almighty because I am content and at peace.

It is because the Almighty sent me yoga that this has happened.

Thank you, Almighty.

I am grateful.

GRATEFUL FOR HONORING MYSELF

I am grateful to the Almighty because it is through yoga that I am learning how to honor myself.

He had a backache from picking up the dog's poop as it had snowed so much.  This did not prevent me from going out to dinner and to my Sisterhood book discussion.

He slept through the night but tried to upset me so that I wouldn't sleep.  I did have to take the dog out.  I did not react at all.

This morning I went to the studio and took both of my classes.  I did bring his medication home, did some shopping and will now clean. 

I did not let his mouth upset me at all.  I didn't even listen.  Since I had had dinner out yesterday, I was secretly glad not to go see a film or do dinner with him.

I will walk later, read and watch my television program.

I'm proud to say that I am honoring myself.

I am grateful to the Almighty for this.

Thank you.

GRATEFUL FOR UNDERSTANDING THE VALUE OF CHANGE

I am grateful to the Almighty because I finally understand the value of change.

In yoga, it's about crossing your legs the other way.  In life, it's about doing something differently so that you can grow.

I finally understand the meaning of this as I begin to do things differently and I grow and develop.  For example, in the past, when he spoke to his sister-in-law as he does every morning, I would ask, "What's New?"  This is a normal question, EXCEPT for him being a hidden person, he had to stop and think what to tell me.  It was his disturbed idea of control.  Now, I ask NOTHING and if he chooses to tell me something, I listen and don't respond.  

This feels so peaceful and comfortable.  The ball is now in my court and it is quiet.

It's the little changes that make up life.

Thank you Almighty for FINALLY allowing me to understand the value of change.

I am grateful.

GRATEFUL FOR SELF-CARE

I am grateful to the Almighty because He led me to yoga and that led me to learn so much more about myself.

Self-care is not just about taking care of ones self physically.  It is not just taking care of spiritual needs.   It is also about taking care of ones emotional needs.  That is something that I never understood and never did.  I was anxious many times and depressed other times.  I was abused by him and disappointed by the way the girls carried on.  I tried to have them grow and develop into decent people.  I tried to make the dream of a husband come true.

None of this happened.

Now I take care of only myself.  I am happier now than I have ever been but I never let on.

I have learned to take care of myself emotionally. 

I am grateful to the Almighty leading me to yoga so that I could learn this.

Thank you!!

GRATEFUL FOR MY LIFE

I am grateful to the Almighty for my life.

I am happy, healthy and quiet.

I am careful about what I say and do.

I am enjoying all of my varied activities.

Life is good.

I am grateful to you for this.

Thank you.

GRATEFUL FOR MY NEW LIFE

I am grateful to the Almighty for my new life.

I am so grateful to Him because he sent me yoga and that has changed my entire view of living.

Thank you, Almighty.

I am grateful.

GRATEFUL FOR LIVING IN THE PRESENT

I am grateful to the Almighty because He has taught me to live in the present.

Living in the past brings depression, sadness and anger.   Living in the future brings anxiety.

The present is a gift.  It allows us to delight in the world around us.

That is exactly the way that I live my life.   I enjoy the world.  Yesterday I took my first walk since the blizzard. I walked for a little over an hour.   I enjoyed every moment.  My heart soared.   Today I went to services and enjoyed the service as well as my synagogue friends.

I am grateful to the Almighty.  It was because of Him that I went to yoga and it is the yoga philosophy that has allowed me to retire and enjoy my life.

Thank you, Almighty.

I am grateful.

GRATEFUL FOR POSITIVE ENERGY

I am grateful to the Almighty for the positive energy that He has given me.

As I look back on my week,  I am grateful to the Almighty for the wonderful things that I did.  It started with the older one's birthday dinner.  I took yoga classes.  I went to a book discussion.  I went to a memory workshop.  I got a manicure/pedicure.  I am reading a wonderful book that isn't even in a book club.  I went to a new yoga classes involving meditation.  I even did a lot of work preparing for Passover.

The snow is melting and I will be walking outside this afternoon.

This morning I will take 2 yoga classes and I will purchase table cloths for Passover.

I am grateful the Almighty for the positive energy that He has given me.

Thank you!!!

GRATEFUL FOR YOGA

I am grateful to the Almighty because He made it possible for me to embrace yoga.

I love the poses but most of all I love the philosophy because it keeps me healthy, happy and focused on the joy of the present.   I make decisions based on what I have learned in yoga, in other words, what would be good for me???  It has certainly helped me deal with the difficult people in my life.

Today I will take not one but two yoga classes.

I will attend my Memory Workshop.

The snow continues to melt and soon I will be walking out there.

I am grateful to the Almighty for this.

Thank you!!!!

GRATEFUL THAT SPRING IS ALMOST HERE

I am grateful to the Almighty because Spring is almost here.

I am proud of myself because I was able to survive Winter with him in the house during all the snowstorms and freezing cold that we had.  I created projects to accomplish,  I read,  I went to services when I could, I went to book clubs,  I kept up with friends and I even attended yoga classes.

Spring means that I am free.  Free to enjoy my life.  Free to walk.  Free yo enjoy my retirement to the fullest.

I am grateful to the Almighty for this.

Today I am attending a yoga class and going for a mani/pedi.

I am grateful to the Almighty for this also.

Thank you!!!

GRATEFUL FOR A BEAUTIFUL DAY

I am grateful to the Almighty for this beautiful day.

As I look outside, I see that the snow is melting.  Soon I will be able to walk outside!!!!

Today, I'm going to a yoga class and an evening book club.

I am grateful to the Almighty for my retired life.

Thank you, Almighty.

GRATEFUL FOR SPRING

I am grateful to the Almighty because it looks like Spring is coming.

Thank you!!!!

GRATEFUL FOR ENJOYMENT

I am grateful to the Almighty because I am finally able to relax as well as enjoy my own life.

Before yoga, I had no time to relax and enjoy my own life because I was busy trying to get the Triad to accept my values.

I have finally separated from them and I am now able to relax and enjoy my own life, my successes and accomplishments as well as my retirement. 

It is time for that now.  One of the Triad is 39, the other 35 3/4. If they haven't learned by now, they aren't going to.

It's time for me.

Today I will attend 2 yoga classes.  I'm going to go to Weight Watchers. I will read and relax.

Tonight we are taking the older one, her fiancee, her sister and myself and their father out to dinner to celebrate the older ones birthday.  

I smile as I write this because I'm going to relax and enjoy it.

Thank you, Almighty for allowing me to reach this stage of life.

I am grateful.

GRATEFUL FOR MY RETIRED LIFE

I am grateful to the Almighty because I have retired.

I am truly appreciating my retired life.

The snow is finally melting!!!!!   the temperatures will be in the 40's this week!!!

I went to services today!!!  I discovered that my friends have signed up for the first seder at Plainview Jewish Center.   I was delighted to hear this as that's exactly what I did.

Thank you Almighty for my retired life.

I am grateful!!!!

GRATEFUL THAT THE SUN IS SHINING

I am grateful to the Almighty because the sun is shining.

I am getting ready to go to yoga.

I took not one but two yoga classes this morning.  I love doing yoga for the exercise.   I learn so much also.  For example, the instructor spoke of not forcing a pose.  That could be related to life where you  can't force your ideas on someone else.  She spoke of accepting what you can and cannot do.  This could also be related to life as you have to accept that what you wanted someone to accept will just not happen.  We spoke of going inward when you see yourself in a situation that you just don't want to be in.

For me, this could all be related to Sunday when we take the older one out for her birthday.  Things will be said to upset me and I will go inward.

The three of them are coming for the second night of Passover and I know that the older one will try to disrupt the seder.  I will accept this and wait until she is done rather than force the issue.

I learn so much from yoga and am thrilled to be a yogi.

I will spend the rest of the day reading and getting ready for the Sabbath.

I am grateful to the Almighty because it looks like the temperatures are going up, the snow will melt and Spring will hopefully soon be here.

Thank you for this day, Almighty.

I am grateful.

GRATEFUL THAT I RETIRED

I am grateful to the Almighty because He helped me to retire.

Last night we went to hear the Megillah at PJC.  I was so happy to be there.  I feel so comfortable.  I have so many friends there.  It was hard going for many years because of The Triad but I succeeded with the help of the Almighty.

Today is yet another snow day.  I am so thrilled that I retired.  I was beginning to use the school as a hideout.  However, because of my faith and trust in the Almighty, I took the plunge and retired.  I'm beyond happy that I did.

It's so snowy that even my yoga stdio is closed.  I will do yoga at home as well as relax and read.

I am grateful to the Almighty because He helped me to retire.

Thank you!!!!

GRATEFUL FOR THE NEW DAY

I am grateful to the Almighty for this new day.

I am happy and healthy and I thank the Almighty for this.

He is driving me to yoga because of the ice. 

I am grateful.  We will do some errands afterwards.

Tonight is Purim.  We will be at PJC for the reading of the Magillah.

I am reading an enjoyable book.

These are my small pleasures on yet another day of retirement.

I am grateful to the Almighty for this.

Thank you!!!

GRATITUDE FOR ACCEPTING CHANGE

I am grateful to the Almighty because I read a quote from Budda today and it will help me to change my life.

Change is unavoidable but if you accept change and transition then happiness and freedom will be yours.

I am so grateful for reading this.  I could not go to this morning's yoga class.  There was a lot of ice on the road and I didn't want to have a problem driving or walking to the studio.  He couldn't take me because he was going to the doctor.

I was feeling upset until I read that quote.  

It moved my life forward.

I am grateful to the Almighty because you helped me to find that quote.

Thank you.

GRATEFUL FOR LEARNING ABOUT POSITIVE EMOTIONS

I am grateful to the Almighty because I went to yoga yesterday.

I learned about negative and positive emotions.

Negative emotions drain your energy.

When I retired, I had  more time to evaluate their lives.  Since snow season started, I have begun to look back on my life and seen all the negative things that have happened.  At times, this has drained my energy.  I have not appreciated my retirement.

I have decided to focus on positive emotions because of what I learned in yoga.

Thank you Almighty for making yoga classes available to me.

I am grateful.

GRATEFUL FOR MY LIFE

I am grateful to the Almighty for my new life.

I am enjoying retirement.

Yesterday the weather was terrible so I became a couch potato and watched movies ALL DAY.

I have never done that but I could because there was no work Monday.

Today I will take 2 yoga classes.

I would like to start the Passover shopping, but who knows???

It's going to snow again............up to 6 inches.

However I have weekdays to shop!!!!!

I am grateful to the Almighty for my new life.

Thank you!!!!