Patrice Koerper Robson
Many Wishful Thinking Works Facebook followers have been using an Advent of Kindness Calendar to share a bit more kindness this holiday season.
Visit Wishful Thinking Works on FB to join in the fun. I am posting daily about the Calendar to keep us on track for kindness! There is still plenty of time to jump-in! read all about the Calendar and more on FB.
@ Wishful Thinking Works
Oral traditions are almost as old as mankind. Telling stories has been bringing families and communities together for thousands of years. Writing them has been going on for hundreds of generations.
The type of stories we tell, shape our relationships and our realities.
Why not start a new Thanksgiving tradition by sharing a short personal story about someone or something you are thankful for as you sit down to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner? Many Americans will be sharing what they are thankful for, but why not expand the moment and the feelings by telling a story?
Your story does not have to be long or earth-shattering, just real and heartfelt.
We are much more inclined to complain about our lives and the trials and tribulations we face than we are to celebrate the moments that make life and magical and memorable. And, yet, most of us have lives filled with touching tales – small moments or momentous events when something or everything went well or turned-out right, or someone reached out to us at just the right time.
What better time than Thanksgiving to share simple, sweet, touching tales of who we are and why others matter to us?
Here are few of my tales to get you in the storytelling mood . . .
I often think of Mrs. Grace Weidenthal and how her kindness and support helped me get a women’s group scholarship for “Older Returning Students”, which led to my finishing college and eventually my Masters. (I was 28 at the time!)
I will never forget the kindness shared to me as a child by my mother’s friend and one of my younger brothers’ godmothers. When Mrs. Werner brought my brother a gift for his birthday or a holiday, she always made sure to include something smaller, but no less special, for the other siblings closest to his age. A small gesture on her part, but one that filled my heart and head with pleasure and promise! I knew I would be included, and looked forward to her visits with anticipation, not only for her gifts but also to her boisterous and booming voice as she bestowed our treats upon us. She spread joy and generosity with gusto.
I often think of the help Professor Potteroff at Cuyahoga Community College gave me. Without the time he spent tutoring me, I am not sure I would have had the confidence to finish his Algebra class or to later take, and fall in love with, statistics.
I love it when someone does something small and kind, like holding a door, pausing to let me or others turn left, or slows a bit to let me enter a lane. Friendly cashiers can also make my day!
Sharing tales of positive moments in our lives might take some getting used to or may seem a bit awkward at first, but all great traditions must start somewhere, why not this Thanksgiving?
Here are 5 tips for starting your Thanksgiving storytelling tradition:
1) “I will never forget . . .”
2) “I love(d) it when . . . ”
3) “It felt really good when . . .”
4) “I was so excited when . . .”
5) “I often think of . . . “
6) “When I was a kid . . .” Only use this lead in if what follows is strictly positive and not shared to teach a lesson or illustrate a point.
Hopefully, reading this post has already brought good memories to mind and gotten you into the Thanksgiving spirit. If not, no problem, you still have plenty of time to think of a thankful tale or two, and to get things ready for your guests to share in your new tradition.
Have fun!
Patrice K. Robson
Happy Thursday Morning.
How are you doing today? I hope your are feeling well and enjoying some peaceful moments no matter what is swirling around you.
I used to think that if I was surrounded by chaos I had to jump in and tame the waves. I felt it was my job to calm the seas, no matter how overwhelmed I felt by all the crazy swirling around me.
In my 20’s and 30’s I was often the carrier of bad news and gossipy comments, and I was more than willing to take most things personally. Defensive mechanisms for sure, but hurtful to others, nonetheless.
Lucky for me, over the years and with lots of trial and error, reflection, and meditation I realized I can observe and care but not connect in ways that create chaos for me or others, and that even in the saddest or scariest circumstances it is possible to find moments of joy, peace, and balance – without guilt!
Trusting in the goodness of others and their abilities is key, and listening and letting people know that we are connected, that we care, and that they are capable, lovable, and worth listening to and being loved is a much better approach – for everyone.
Today, I wish you joy and peace and the courage to find them during stressful and difficult times. I know you can do it, and I know at times it will be difficult, but I trust that you won’t stop trying. I believe in you and know you are wonderful, lovable and worth it.
Are you ready to begin or renew your personal meditation habit with Deepak and Oprah’s FREE 21-Day meditation practice – Miraculous Relationships?
Day 1 centering thought: “Today I am open to the presence of miracles.”
Decades ago I decided that living my life as if everything was a miracle was a choice I wanted to make. I have to remind myself of my decision often, but with practice I have learned that the option for how I view the world is always mine and the choice is always there for me.
If you have never tried meditating, or if you meditate and would like to add to your current practice, join us for Oprah and Deepak Chopra’s upcoming, FREE 21-Day Meditation Experience, Miraculous Relationships, which begins Monday, July 15. You can sign-up, here.
I have used Oprah and Deepak’s meditations in the past, and they are guided goodness and a refreshing way to calm your mind and comfort your soul. Don’t worry too much about if the topic is perfect for you or not, simply use each session to begin or reinforce your meditation habit.
Most of their meditations are 15 minutes in length – a small amount of time that can yield big results. There are thousands of studies showing the benefits of meditation. You do not have to meditate for long periods to begin receiving those benefits.
Benefits include:
To enrich your life and create new levels of awareness, insight and joy sign-up. You can participate from anywhere!
Then join the free Wishful Thinking Works Meditation Facebook Group, which is designed to help you develop the meditation habit by:
Photo by Mihajlo Malinovski
It’s a virtual support group for your meditative journey!
The Wishful Thinking Works Meditation Facebook Group is open to everyone, it is listed as “closed” on FB, but that just means no one but members can see your posts. You have nothing to lose and so much gain.
Join us to find more peace in your heart and happiness in your life. You deserve this and more, and it is all FREE!
Loving Oprah and Deepak’s Grace Through Gratitude 21-Day Meditation Series and allowing gratitude and grace to be a expanded part of each day.
Feeling greatful* for taking the time to slow down long enough to watch this guy in our backyard! He arrived early yesterday and spent the night! (*My version of the word “grateful” because that is how it makes me feel, GREAT!)
What is making you feel greatful these days?
In the series Oprah and Deepak remind us how good feeling gratitude feels! The changes to your heart and soul are life enhancing and can help you bring positivity and grace into your life.
Wishing you blue skies, sweet adventures and moments of heartfelt gratitude today and everyday.
Warm regards,
Patrice
