GRATEFUL FOR A WONDERFUL PASSOVER HOLIDAY

I am grateful to the Almighty because I had a wonderful Passover holiday.

I am grateful to the Almighty because I learned not to be STUCK......that there were SPACES and that I had CHOICES.

It was a wonderful choice to go to PJC for both Seders.  It was a wonderful choice to learn to REPLY and not to REACT.

It was a wonderful choice to learn TO BREATHE and BE CALM and QUIET.

All of this has destroyed THE TRIAD.

I have taken myself, with the Almighty's help,  down a new path slowly.  I am enjoying the quiet of my life with the Almighty by my side.  I am enjoying the pleasures of my new life.

Thank you, Almighty.

I am grateful.

GRATEFUL FOR NEW CHOICES

I am grateful to the Almighty for His helping me to make new choices in my life.

Having the Seders at PJC was a wonderful choice.

I have had an amazing week.

I am no longer stuck.  I have created space for myself because I have choices.

I am grateful to the Almighty for this.

Thank you.

GRATEFUL FOR NEW BEGINNINGS

I am grateful to the Almighty for all the new beginnings that He has given me.

I am a strong, capable, healthy woman, thanks to the Almighty.

I am grateful for this.

Thank you.

GRATEFUL FOR SELF-LOVE

I am grateful to the Almighty for sending me Hollie who told me about yoga.  It was there that I learned about self-love.

I had always been taught to do for others.  It didn't matter if people hurt me with their words and actions.  I continued to put their needs first!!!!!!

How wrong that was!!!!!  I have learned to love myself.  I have learned to find, understand and appreciate my authentic self.  I have learned about intimacy.........into myself I see!!!!!  I have learned to put my needs and wants first.

I am enjoying my new life very much.  I am taking it slow on this new path but I really am enjoying life.  In everything that comes up, I ask myself if it is good for me??  I'm proud of me.

Today is an amazing day.  I have 2 yoga classes and a yoga book discussion/lunch.  I am observing Passover and so I am bringing my lunch.  I will eventually walk.

I will also begin the new book that I received after the book club yesterday.  By the way, Last night we watched, "Lassie Come Home."  It made me cry as it usually does!!

Thank you Almighty for teaching me about self-love.

I am grateful.

GRATEFUL FOR CHANGES IN MY LIFE

I am grateful to the Almighty because He has made me brave enough to make changes in my life.  He has helped me not to feel guilty about these changes and to realize that I have become a healthier person as a result of them.

The changes that I made to the Passover holiday helped me to become healthier.  Going to Seders at PJC was a wonderful experience.  I hope to do that again.  I realized that the girls didn't care at all.  The older one said that her Seders were good. What Seders???  She never believed or was respectful about any aspect of Judaism. I never asked.  She didn't ask about mine and I didn't share.  The younger one never even called.

Yesterday was a wonderful day in that he was gone most of the day and I could breathe.

Today I will practice yoga.  It has rained and I might have to walk at The Home Depot.  I have an afternoon book discussion to attend also. (Update:  I walked at The Home Depot for an hour and outside for an hour and was caught in the rain.)

I am grateful for all the changes in my life.

Thank you Almighty.

GRATEFUL FOR STRENGTH

I am grateful to the Almighty because He has made me a strong and intelligent person.

I truly enjoyed the seders and the yom tov this past weekend.   I could see that he did not as he tried to intimidate and argue constantly.  Obviously his efforts failed and honestly, I was overjoyed to see that I finally had the upper hand as the triad was broken.  The seders were amazing and yom tov went off without a hitch.  I enjoyed every moment of it.

Today I will walk.  I will practice yoga and do some chores.

I will enjoy each and every moment that I am alive.

Thank you Almighty.

I am grateful.

GRATEFUL FOR A WONDERFUL YON TOV

I am grateful to the Almighty because the beginning days of Passover have been wonderful.

I did not go to services as I told the Rabbi last night at the end of the second seder.  I volunteered to be of assistance to him if he needed it and he seemed to be very appreciative. I might even have lunch with Elyse, his wife, after the holiday and the shiva for his father.

I was able to walk for two hours this morning as I had done last week.  I finished all my chores and my book and was able to relax outside on a lounge chair which was wonderful.  He has not been happy at all at the way the holidays turned out.

I'm going to mediate this afternoon too.

Thank you Almighty for this holiday.

I am grateful.

GRATEFUL FOR A WONDERFUL SECOND SEDER

I am grateful to the Almighty because I experienced a wonderful second seder at PJC last night.

I sat with many synagogue friends and enjoyed conversation with them.  The seder progressed beautifully.  There were no surprises.  Everyone participated with joy.  I read aloud and answered questions.  I even said the Four Questions in Yiddish which brought me back to the time of my grandmother, Bubbie Hudel,  when I recited the Four Questions in Yiddish at our seder for her.  It was so different from what I experienced with the triad and I was so grateful for this.  Because I am now attending community seders I have taken away all their power. This can't sit well with them.

However, it is my time now.

I told the Rabbi that I would not be in services today and I was sleeping late and taking some needed r&r.  He said that if he were me he would do the same thing.  I will see him Friday at the conclusion of Passover and Saturday for Yizkor.

I am grateful that I am no longer stuck.  I have created space by making choices that are healthy for me.  I approached the seders with an open heart and I am happy.

Thank you Almighty.

I am grateful.

GRATEFUL FOR MY CHOICES

I am so grateful to the Almighty for the new path that he has chosen for me.  I am grateful for the choices that He has helped me to make.

Last night the PJC seder was wonderful.  I sat with friends who enjoyed being there and the conversations were natural and normal.  No one did me a favor by being there.  No one walked out or threatened what time to come.  No one negotiated time.  No one refused to drink the wine.  No one refused to eat the food. Everyone participated in the reading of the Hagaddah.

I enjoyed the joyful friendship of the Rabbi, Cantor, and all the participants.

I am happy with my choice and so glad to be going to the second seder at PJC.

I have freed myself from the binds.  I have made a choice to let go of that which doesn't serve me and I am so grateful.

Thank you Almighty for being there for me.

GRATEFUL FOR NOT BEING STUCK

I am grateful to the Almighty because I no longer feel stuck.  I have space with which to change. I can make positive choices for myself and take myself into the light.

Tonight is the first seder at PJC.  I am thrilled to be going.  I am taking myself into the light.  I did feel a bit sad at the way things with the girls worked out.  However I acknowledged the facts.  It is what it is.  It cannot be changed.  They accepted this and didn't say a word.  I guess that they didn't want to come to a seder either.  It was just an obligation.  Now they are released from the binds also.

Today I will practice yoga.  I will walk.  I will read.  I'm getting my hair blown out.

I am grateful to the Almighty for taking me down a new path.  I am going slow and enjoying it very much.

Thank you.

GRATEFUL FOR SEEING HOW FAR I HAVE COME

I am grateful to the Almighty because I have looked at my new life's path and I can see how far I have come.

The Almighty was always by my side through those beginning days with my parents.  He was with me through the rocky road of this "marriage."  He was with me through the years where I tried to bring up children for God and country.

He has helped to me succeed despite all the obstacles that were put in my way.  I have no guilt because I know that I did the best that a human being could do.  It's amazing that considering the parents and husband that I had that I succeeded so well.  However, the Almighty was always there beside me.  I was never alone.  As far as the children, I taught them everything they should know and their fate is in the Almighty's hands.

There is time now for me.

He has guided my steps in this new path called "retirement."   I am going slowly but I can see how far I have come and my heart swells with pride.

I am happy.

I am healthy.

I have the Almighty to thank for this.

I am grateful.

Thank you.

GRATEFUL FOR GOING DOWN A NEW PATH

I am grateful to the Almighty because I am going down a new path slowly and ever so happily.

I am not stuck in the old routines.  I have the freedom to release myself from the binds.

I am looking forward to the Passover holiday with tremendous joy.  It's the first time in my life that I will go to seders that are conducted in a nonjudgmental way and I can enjoy them.  No one can upset me.

Yesterday, I walked and practiced yoga.  I purchased a new pair of sneakers.  I took the dog to be groomed for the holiday.  I texted friends.

My new path is a good one filled with new joys and adventures.

Thank you Almighty.

I am grateful.

GRATEFUL FOR THE PLANTING OF SEEDS

I am grateful to the Almighty because I have realized that it is as though I am a seed and am looking up into the light of a beautiful new day.

I am slowly taking myself on a new path.  I have become a new seed that is looking towards the light. My intention is to enjoy my life while I let go of that which doesn't serve me so that I can heal.

Passover preparations are going well and I am excited about going to the seders at PJC.  I love eating dinner out.  I dress for dinner and he has found nice restaurants.

I took my winter coats to the cleaners and brought home my spring coats and clothing. That has made me very happy.

I am able to walk for 2 hours outside and practice yoga. 

I am enjoying yet another book.

The Almighty has helped me to take a seed, plant it and look towards the light on a slow path to a wonderful new life.

I am grateful for this.

Thank you.

GRATEFUL FOR SPEAKING AND LISTENING

I am grateful to the Almighty because again He sent me to yoga where I learned about speaking and listening.

It is important to speak, however it is most important to listen to what others say and the way that they say things.   It took me a long time to learn this.  I have been good at this in the last four years.  I also understand that I must speak the truth kindly.  However is it necessary to speak?  It isn't!!!  A sleeping person must be left sleeping.  One must no adapt, explain or try to help them to understand.

I am enjoying my dinners out and tonight we will do the same thing.  I am looking forward to the seders with joy.  I did the best that I could for years and now it is my time to have a life.

Today I will practice yoga.  I will take my winter coats to be stored and cleaned.  I will walk. I will take my spring/summer clothes out of storage and set up my closet.

I will meditate this evening with the music that I ordered.

I look forward to each day with joy.

Thank you Almighty.

I am grateful.

GRATEFUL FOR A NEW BEGINNING

I am grateful to the Almighty because I am able to see the beginning of this new day.

I will practice yoga today.  I will walk and read.  With joy and calmness, I will continue to ready the house for Passover. I will play with the dog. Tonight we will dine out as I have closed up the kitchen for Passover. The oven will be done today.

I will savor each moment as it won't come again.

Yesterday was equally as wonderful.  Services and a lovely Simcha Party began the day.  I was able to again walk for two hours.  I played with the dog and read.  What a lovely day.

I am grateful to the Almighty for each new beginning.

Thank you.

GRATEFUL FOR A WONDERFUL SABBATH

I am so grateful to the Almighty for a wonderful, calm and quiet Sabbath.

It is so different from when the girls were living at home and creating chaos and misery.

I am grateful that I lived to see this day.

May there be many more days like this.

Thank you Almighty.

I am grateful.

GRATEFUL FOR SANKULPA

I am grateful to the Almighty because in my yoga class yesterday, I learned about setting a Sankulpa.  This is more than an intention because it goes more deeply.

I decided to set a Sankulpa so that I would take myself on my new path BUT would do this slowly.  I would not be frustrated by how long it took BUT I would know that I was going to continue to present myself as a different person.  When I looked back on myself during these last four years, I see that this is true.  The progress has been slow, steady and has been absorbed into the new person that I am becoming.  I say becoming because a person is always changing.

I am grateful to the Almighty for learning this.

Thank you.

ADVENTURES ON MY NEW PATH

I am grateful to the Almighty for guiding me on my new path.

I will practice yoga today.  I will walk. I will get my hair blow out too.

Tonight is the beginning of the Sabbath.  I will be going to Jay's Oneg Shabbat.  I will continue to prepare for the Passover holiday.

I am grateful to the Almighty for the new path that I am on.

Thank you.

GRATEFUL FOR A NEW PATH

I am grateful to the Almighty because He helped me to find yoga which in turn helped me to find myself.  Yoga has helped me define what I am feeling.

I am on a new path which is not defined by having either children or a husband.  It is my very own path to joy and bliss.

Thank you Almighty for helping me to discover this.

I am grateful.

GRATEFUL FOR THE CHOICES THAT I AM MAKING

I am grateful to the Almighty for His hand in helping me to make my recent choices.

I am so happy that I signed up to go to both seders at PJC.  I am approaching the holiday with tremendous joy rather than the fear and trepidation that I usually feel.  I never knew what any part of the triad would try to do to upset the seders and I'm so done with that.  

My decision to cancel Mother's Day was brilliant.  Who in their right mind treats people who treat you horribly to dinner???  It doesn't mean that I'm not going out to dinner.  I am.  It doesn't mean that I'm not getting a gift.  I am.  It just means that I am not rewarding those who abuse me.

I had a wonderful time at the Sisterhood Fashion Show last night.   There was much laughing.  I was seen as myself.  How wonderful.

Today I will walk and practice yoga.  There are chores to be done too.

I have a Memory Workshop this afternoon.

Thank you Almighty for helping me to make choices.

I am grateful.

GRATEFUL FOR MY HEALTH

I am grateful to the Almighty for my good health. 

I am going to live in the present celebrating my blessings and my joys and let go of my disappointments.  I'm not saying that this is easy but I will work on it.

Today I will practice yoga.  I hope to walk outside as it is beautiful out there.  Tonight is the Sisterhood Fashion Show.  Passover preparations continue.  Last night I attending a wonderful book discussion on Leaving Time, the novel chosen this year for Long Island Reads.

I am grateful to the Almighty for my good health which gives me the energy to have all of these adventures.

Thank you.

GRATEFUL FOR MY NEW LIFE

I am grateful to the Almighty for my new life and all the joys that it has.

I love walking and practicing yoga.  I enjoy my book clubs.  I have friends and fun activities.
I even enjoy my chores.  For example, yesterday I cleaned yet another closet.

Today it is raining.  This means a walk at The Home Depot where I know workers by name.  It means practicing yoga with Rabbi Jay as my yoga mate and finding out the time of the Oneg Shabbat on Friday night.

Passover preparations continue with love and joy as I happily await the holiday.  This year I don't live in nervous fear as to what they will do to my holiday.  I text them with nonsense.  I don't ask questions of them because I don't want to know.  This makes me happy.  I know how to maintain quiet with a smile and to let go anything that I decide is not important.

Tonight I will attend a book discussion on theJodi Piccoult novel  Leaving Time. It was chosen this year as the novel for Long Island Reads.  I really enjoyed that book.

I am grateful for my new life.

Thank you Almighty.

GRATEFUL FOR LOVING MYSELF

I am grateful to the Almighty because He sent me to yoga.  It is  there that I am beginning to learn to love myself and to treat myself with kindness and compassion.

Everyday I try to recognize something in myself to love and to be proud of.

I am proud of the fact that I have let go of my Passover seders and instead I am going to PJC for both seders.  I am approaching this with such joy.

I was the facilitator of my seders  for many years.  I was an excellent role model but in those girls,  I had no one to work with.  They criticized the food, whether it was what I cooked or what I purchased at Woodbury Kosher.  They refused to follow the service and made a joke of it. They told me they were ashamed of how I set up the house and would leave as soon as they could.  This year I had had enough and I chose to tell them that I was going to a community seder instead.  Once one of them refused to come and went to another seder and told me that it was so much better than mine.

Little did I know that PJC would have two seders.

I approach the holiday with the joy that it deserves.

I set the table yesterday with joy.  I brought up Passover items from the basement.  I am so happy during this season and calm for the first time.  I did the best that I could.  I can't kill myself for them and I won't develop depression over who they are.

This is the last Jewish holiday where I have to disinvite them.

I am proud of me.

I am learning to love myself.

Thank you, Almighty.

I am grateful.

GRATEFUL FOR SELF-LOVE

I am grateful to the Almighty because I have learned to love myself.

No one can take that away from me.   I am proud of myself and all of my accomplishments.  I am content with the retired life that I have created for myself.

I have learned to let the sleeping person sleep so that I do not have to have negative conversations.

I had a choice to make the Passover holiday sweeter and I have done just that.  I swell with pride for me.

I approach life in a positive way.

I am grateful to the Almighty for this.

Thank you.

GRATEFUL FOR ACKNOWLEDGING FEAR OF CHANGE

I am grateful to the Almighty because He has made me aware of what I have been feeling.

I have changed many things this week.  Both seders will be different and so will Mother's Day.

I am proud that I made these changes.

However, now I need to have the courage to face the changes that I have made.

These changes will help me to be a more authentic person.  I love myself and each step that I take will help me accept these changes.

The Almighty will help me.

I am grateful.

Thank you.

GRATEFUL FOR MY CHOICES

I am grateful to the Almighty because He has helped me to make good choices this week.  These are choices that are making me smile.

I chose to attend both seders at PJC this year.  No longer will I be upset or nervous watching and waiting to see what they will do to destroy my holiday.

I took away Mother's Day.  I said that we should get together the week after.  No one treats me like a mother so why am I celebrating that day?  That day I will celebrate my survival.

I am so happy to be in charge of me and not to be used.  I am happy to be responding quietly and not reacting.

Yesterday I had my hair colored and blown out.  It looks amazing.  We went to LuluLemon for my Mother's Day gift and out to dinner.

Today I will walk and practice yoga.  I will do some chores also.  My book is almost at the end.....time to star another.

Tonight is the Sabbath and I will thank the Almighty for an amazing week.

I am grateful.

GRATEFUL FOR THE JOY IN MY LIFE

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

Yoga, walking, book clubs, Sisterhood meetings...............these are just some of my wonderful activities.

Yesterday I got a wonderful new manicure/pedicure for Spring, whenever it arrives.

This afternoon I will be getting my hair colored and blown out in the lavender that I love.

This is in addition to practicing yoga and walking at The Home Depot.

Tonight I'm having dinner out.........a non-cooking day!!!!

I am grateful to the Almighty for all the joys in my life.

Thank you.

GRATEFUL FOR THE ALMIGHTY'S BLESSINGS

I am grateful to the Almighty for all the blessings that He has given me in my new retired life.

I am evolving into a new person since He sent me to yoga.

I do not have pre-diabetes and I continue to watch myself.

He does not have prostate cancer which allows my life to continue.

PJC has created a second seder which I signed up for and paid for.

I have changed Mother's Day to May 15!!!!!

I am becoming a stronger person each day.  I am looking out for myself and treating myself as number #1.  I have never done this before and it feels wonderful.

Today I will walk and practice yoga. I have also scheduled a manicure/pedicure for this afternoon.

I am happy with my life and I am grateful to the Almighty for it.

Thank you!!!

GRATEFUL FOR A WONDERFUL SURPRISE

I am grateful to the Almighty for the wonderful surprise that I received yesterday.

I received an e-mail from PJC telling me that there will be 2 seders this year!!!!!!  I do not have to have the second one at home!!! I have already paid for the first one.  I released myself from the binds by telling them that I was going to Community Seders and now the Almighty made it happen!!!  No more misery for me as they try to do things to disrupt the seders.  I have freed myself from the binds.  I wrote out the check and will be delivering it today for the second seder.  Thank you Almighty.

Today I will practice yoga.  I have chores to do at Fresh Market.  I will walk at The Home Depot.  I will deliver my check to PJC.  Tonight I will again practice yoga and then attend my Sisterhood Meeting which will be fun.  It's a cooking lesson for Pesach!!

Thank you Almighty for all my surprises.

I am grateful.

GRATEFUL FOR NEW ADVENTURES.

Everyday is filled with new adventures for me and I am grateful to the Almighty for this.

Today I will practice yoga.  I have a book discussion to go to.  I will walk at The Home Depot since the weather is terrible.  I have yet another new book to read.

As I think about my life, I am grateful to the Almighty for all of my mistakes.  They have made me the person that I am today.

Thank you.

GRATEFUL FOR A NEW DAY

I am grateful to the Almighty for a new day.

I am healthy and happy.

The world is filled with possibilities for me.

I am grateful to the Almighty for this.

Thank you.

GRATEFUL FOR HOUSE CLEANING

I am grateful to the Almighty because when I practiced yoga yesterday we discussed "house cleaning."

We spoke about letting go of routines and habits that we no longer need.  We spoke about letting go of them.  Isn't that what I am doing with the seders??  Hopefully PJC will have a second seder that we can attend.

It is not the hand that you get.  It is the way that you play the hand.  It is what you think and believe when someone speaks to you. It is how you process all the things that happen to you and all the things that people say to you.  It is how you process thoughts, feelings and emotions.

I will begin to work on these ideas immediately.

I am grateful to the Almighty for learning this.

Thank you.

GRATEFUL TO THE ALMIGHTY

I am grateful to the Almighty for watching over me this week.

I do not have pre-diabetes.  I treated myself to all the sweets this week BUT that will stop as I was celebrating.

He does not have prostate cancer.  This means that my new life can go on enjoyably and quietly.  I will not have to come up with strategies to keep myself safe.

I received $275 from him because I gave him Reiki!!!!!

We saw 2 films this week, The Clan and My Name is Doris and we ate out too in celebration.

I am grateful to the Almighty for watching over me and taking care of me.

Tonight is the Sabbath.

I am so grateful for my life.

Thank you.