Saturday, January 3, 2009

Even the Chronically Ill Can Reach A New Level of Healthy. With Gratitude, There Is Hope.


I resolve to loose weight, I resolve to be rich. I resolve to have peace. I resolve to...fill in the blank. All of us have pulled out our journals at one time or another and jotted down at least one of these New Year's Resolutions. However, most fall by the way side before the end of January. And with good reason. You are acting outside of a natural law. It is the Law of Gratitude.

Wes Hopper offers a free E-book explaining "The Astonishing Power of Gratitude. In it, Wes gives five examples of why people don't succeed in accomplishing their goals. It is short, easy to read, and the information is priceless.

On a recent luncheon at a local "All You Can Eat" restaurant, my attention was drawn to the overweight patrons in the restaurant. It is not the food that is causing the weight gain. It is the quantity of food they are piling on their plates and eating. They are showing a lack of gratitude for the correct amount. To prove their ungratefulness, they eat right past it-right into obesity and in some cases, right into diabetes.

Diana Young who writes "Ask the Dietitian'" post an article entitled, "Five Ways I Plan To Keep My New Year's Resolution." It is packed with good ideas and healthy eating practices. Dian even post a short video clip to get us thinking positive in 2009. Check out her post and find out what a locavore is. You may be one and don't know it!

Not a day goes by that I don't hear someone say or read that someone can help make another a millionaire if only they would buy this program or read that book. The bottom line is, the only person that can propel you to the millionaire status is you. And it starts by being grateful for the money you have today. We show gratitude for our money when we save as well as when we share. I believe both to be equally as important.

Robin, who writes "The Spirit Knows Best," recently post an article entitled "Healing A Broken Heart: A Second Chance." In it, Robin describes what is really important in this life. When a chronic illness becomes critical, you figure it out and you know who to give thanks to. Robin's article is heart wrenching. And Yet, She gives you hope. Because Robin figures it out. Reading it may help you to figure out what is missing in your life.

So, this year as you write your New Year's Resolutions, remember to give thanks for all the blessings you already have. By showing gratitude for what you already have, you open up your life to receive a continuous flow of blessings.

Don't know who to give gratitude to? Wallace Wattles, in "The Science of Getting Rich" uses these terms interchangeably;

"Energy, Power, Infinite, Creative Power, Supreme Intelligence, Think Stuff, Original Substance, Formless Intelligence, Source, Universe, Intelligent Substance, Nature, One Living Substance, Father, and, of course, God.

31 comments:

Jeanne said...

Mckay k,

One of your best qualities (and you have many!!) is that you really understand the importance of gratitude and put it into practice every day.

Your years of reading/learning and your open-mindedness has served you very well. You help many others!

Gratitude is so important. I have been thinking a lot lately about how grateful I am to have a roof over my head. It is very cold now in many places. When it gets so cold, it's hard for me to imagine what it's like to be homeless.

Things that many people take for granted are so important.

With your blog, you demonstrate the importance of gratitude. I am honored to call you a friend. You really have your priorities straight!

Happy New Year!!

Jeanne

Speedcat Hollydale said...

As New Years comes and goes, so many create resolutions. I try and make them every day. Not always major life changes, but ideas on how to carry out the power of being positive. There are so many people and circumstances that can erode a healthy spirit and mind!

Gratitude is the perfect companion to combat negative influences that inundate us every day. I think many positive things in our lives can be overshadowed by stress, pain, and ultimately the clouds that dim sunlight entering our hearts.

Taking an account of our blessings, and realizing the full repertoire of people and things that are truly important is so key.

I read a post that outlined just how lucky many of us are compaired to the rest of the world. It was very sobering. Just the fact that we have had a meal, is more than many can claim today.

Wonderful post McKay. You are an inspiration

Happy weekend from the Speedy Cat !! :-)

Mckay K said...

Jeanne you are a magnificent person and your previous Christmas blog on gratitude is absolutely brilliant.

I felt your gratefulness in each paragraph.

Thank you for your support and friendship.

Mckay K said...

Speedy Cat you are one of those bright lights that glow off into the night. You don’t realize how important that light is in your life until you get a little closer and realize that the others have grown dim and this one is lighting your way.

Thanks for being that bright light here. Your comments are an inspiration to us all.

dellgirl said...

Thank you for stopping by my blog and for the nice comment. I came over to see who you were and to meet you. It's good to meet you, McKay k.

I love your blog, there's much good and timely information here. I'll definitely come back for more. My mom has several of the illnesses you mentioned and I am always searching for information and direction on where I should turn next as I "caregive" for her (long-distance, at that).

Thanks again for writing this wonderful blog.

Mckay K said...

dellgirl thanks for the visit. The feelings are mutual. Your post are so funny and I will visit often. I do believe that laughter is the best medicine. Your blog certainly offers that.

I am sending positive, healing energy to your mother with the intent to lessen the stress in both your lives.

Be well.

Pamela K H said...

McKay K,
Gratitude has become a way of life for me. I can't count how many times I say Thank You during the course of a day. And still I don't think I've said it enough by the time my head hits the pillow at night. There is such a peacefulness in feeling and expressing gratitude. Thanks for your insight on the subject.

Also the picture you posted is perfect. You captured a new day dawning in the same way that this New Year is dawning.

Have a Healthy and Blessed New Year!

PKH

Mckay K said...

Hello Pamela K H;

This is an exciting time in our lives and I am so grateful that so many are recognizing their blessing and voicing their gratitude.

When I visit your site, I can feel the joy that is in your heart through your pictures and through your writings.

Thanks for getting the picture. You are so insightful.

Anonymous said...

Yes, I fail to appreciate what I have in the here and now as often as I should. Thank you for the reminder.

Mckay K said...

Hi Yaya; thanks for the comment. Every once in a while, we all slip. We get caught up in a situation and we forget. Reminders are always nice.

I am so proud of your new community "Mommy Wannabe Club."

I wish you much success!

Anonymous said...

Hi there Mckay,
You always have such great words. Thanks for your comment. I was actually going to ask you for your input on the post. I think gratitude does help a lot of people. I recently got an art program for the computer and its therapeutic for me which is something I want to continue to learn. Helps me leave the pain for a few minutes. I tried scrap booking with actual paper and I was wore out before I could even get the things out. SO digital works for me. :)It helps to feel like you can complete somethings. Its also a welcome detraction from the never ending pain. Believe it or not I still my tree up. Don't have the energy to get it down and I feel so bad as it my daughter does a lot for me. I'm grateful for her.

Chronic Chick

Chronic Chick Talk

Mckay K said...

Hi Chick;

Your post was great self examination therapy for all who read it.

Yes I can believe your tree is still up. A few years ago, my decoration stayed up until May.

Both my son and I were sick just before Christmas. So we opted to forgo the decoration. We celebrated with family who did decorate.

Just like your daughter, my son is my care giver. I am grateful for his kind and giving spirit. We are blessed Chick.

Carol King said...

Hi Mckay, there is a gift waiting for you on my blog, please visit http://inspired-journey.blogspot.com

Shauna said...

I am new here! What a great blog! ♥ Shauna

Mckay K said...

Hi Carole; THANK YOU for the "You Make My Day Award." You make my day too. Thanks for all your guidance in 2008.

Trying To Stay Calm- Hi Shauna; it is nice to meet new readers. That is why I encourage comments.

Loved your latest blog on stopping to smell the roses. You know that hit home with me.

Please visit again soon!

Dr.Rutledge said...

Hi Mckay,

I'm an academic physician (formerly at Harvard and Stanford) who found your blog while looking for the best health writers. I think your writing is great! I would like to feature you in the Chronic Pain Community on Wellsphere, a top 10 health website that has well over 2 million visitors monthly.

If you would like to learn more, just drop me an email to Dr.Rutledge@wellsphere.com

Mckay K said...

Dr. Rutledge; I am honored and would love the opportunity. Thank you for the privilege.

I will communicate with you further through email.

Be well

Shauna said...

Hi there Kindred Spirit!!

I LOVE anything written about Gratitude!!! You are so right that so many do not see what they actually have, and just the bit about those that load up their plates really hit me.

We here in the U.S. are so fortunate...it took me going to the other side of the world to Taiwan to live for 4 years and learn first hand just how spoiled we are here!!

You know I adore you....and love a fellow gal in pain that also is an awesome writer!! We'll 'talk' soon!!

Love, your KS
Shauna <3

Mckay K said...

Shauna I knew you would appreciate a gratitude blog. We do have so much to be thankful for. I hope with all the emphasis being put on gratitude, that everyone will consciously practice it through out the year.

Thanks for the wonderful comment my Kindred Spirit.

SUPPORT said...

Gratitude is so important. Thank you for this post.

Mckay K said...

My Support Blog; Thank you for your visit as well as your comment.

Your blog is so important to the care giver of the chronically ill.

Your position is one that is often overlooked. But, it is oh so precious to those of us who are dependent on you.

Be well

Sherril said...

What a great and all-encompassing post! And it hit me where I needed it. Thank you.

Wayfaring Wanderer said...

A list on how to keep your resolutions sounds like something I should do.

Mckay K said...

Hi Sherrill; I am glad that the gratitude reminder helped to guide your new year in the a positive direction.

Your Real Christmas Card post was an eye opener to me.

Wayfaring Wanderer; Your Imagine Life Without Vacations post has me eagerly looking forward to my next one.

Your photography hobby is an excellent accompany.

Be well

Unknown said...

Great Post McKay,
Gratitude,hum, I can always strive to show a lot more of that in my daily routine, as I am sure many more of us can.People think that gratitude is only to be practiced for meals and making it in the just before it starts raining, But It truly goes much deeper than that. Sometimes we might even need to show a lil gratitude for things that really piss us off! Like being a lil chubby! LOL!

Robin Lee Sardini said...

Gratitude is easy when things are going well; it's when the going gets tough that gratitude becomes even more important.
While we are not asked to be grateful for all things, we can be grateful in all things. No matter what the circumstance we can still say "thank you". Thank you for good friends and loved ones. Thank you for the breath that is still in me. Thank you that I may live one more day to make a small difference. Thank you for a child's laughter. Thank you for the little bird that lights upon the barren winter branch. Thank you for the sun that bursts forth from deep gray skies and beams through my window illuminating my thoughts and my room.
Thank you Mckay K for your insight and wisdom. Thank you for sharing. :-)

Mckay K said...

The World According To Mr Duke; A mortician once told a friend of mine that he should gain weight. He stated that the man was so thin, if he became ill, he had no stored fat to sustain him.

Since he was a mortician and saw more dead people than I ever hope to see, I considered him an authority on what could hasten the death of a chronically or critically ill person. So, yes, we should sometimes be thankful for a little chubbiness.

You are so right about showing gratitude about things that "piss us off." They are always there for our growth. Hopefully, we learn from them so that we are not destined to repeat them.

Thank you for your always entertaining comment.

Robin Lee Sardini; you are such a great inspiration in my life, as well as others. You know the importance of gratitude and it shows in your writings.

There was such a buzz, in the blogging community, during your absence. That is the measure of your positive life force. We missed you and are glad you are once again posting.

My prayers are focused on your improving health.

Be well.

Anonymous said...

Here is a great article i found about
the acai berrys. I didnt know about this
stuff and wish i had along time ago. Hope
this helps.

http://emergevictoriousoverfat.com/2009/01/acai-berries/

Hayley Cafarella said...

Hi!
I am currently redesigning my blog to include a separate page with links to blogs and websites related to RSD and similar conditions. I am interested in including a link to your blog, if that's OK with you. Please drop me an email. I would love it if you would be interested in writing a 50 word blurb to include with the link :)
-Caf
HayleyCaf@gmailcom

Mckay K said...

Weight Loss; Thanks for stopping by and leaving your comment. I enjoyed the video, on your site, explaining the positive effects of the Acai Berry.

However the site you recommended for the Step #1 free trial was RED FLAGED as a possible spammer. MacAfee also noted that once they entered their email address to receive the free trial, they received an assortment of up to ten emails a week.

Hi Caf;
Thanks for stopping in and leaving a comment.

I have never heard of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD). RSD sounds like a horrible painful disease. Your video blog is very educational. I learned a lot.

I am sorry for your recent set back. And am sending positive healing energy your way.

I will contact you concerning the email link. It sounds great.

Be Well!

Anonymous said...

Amen for you. Well You have some great goals. Yeah graditute is important.Hope you to see you in my neck of the woods. :0 You'll find the post intreasting from my latest, quack-in-the box.

Chronic Talk