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Hello Gratitude


Welcome 
and
hello Gratitude!
I am so glad my gratitude post for the week has made it over to Fridays!
It's a perfect way to close out the week
with some positive reflection!


As I sat down to write what I was most grateful for this week
like ...
the fact in a few hours I get to pick up my husband at the airport
that I got to go out to dinner with my youngest this week
and how
I'm loving all of my pink flowers and Valentine decor
and
the very fact I'm sitting here writing wrapped  cozy 
with my coffee, candles and flowers
with finally some welcomed rain outside here in Southern California.


I took one more quick look at instagram
my favorite now :))
before I settle into writing …
and
I am reminded by a comment of
what I am most truly grateful this week.


Ironically
 I am most grateful for my recent struggles
because I now realize 
my soul is always shaped more beautifully 
by my darkest walks.


And, yes
I can appreciate this fact more
since the waters have calmed
and
I have time for reflection.

And Yes,
I want to throw up my arms and say ok
life I get it
as a possible way to get myself off the life lesson list :))


But in all honesty
I am grateful for what  I have learned recently
Which makes me grateful for the struggles.

I am grateful I have learned ...


 Life is hard. - this might not seem like a positive … but for me it is.  Because as soon           
    as  could take this in as a truth … I no longer had to blame myself for the hard times. I could realize I 
   can't control everybody … or everything. And  …  I no longer had to ask why me.

Instead ...


  I can now ask … What can I learn from this situation … and when I do … What positives can I share.



  I have learned to …  to Respect My Story … and when I do … I don't have to      compare myself to others
     … and when I don't compare myself …
 there can be no room in my heart for jealousy!  

     Instead of jealousy … with the removal of comparison … there is now room in my heart for sharing 
     in the joys and successes of others!  More joy for me and everybody else in my life …all because
     I have learned to respect my own story … and my soul's evolution … and I have struggle to thank  … for this most freeing and joyful realization!


 If  my soul's journey is really my life's work … then learning how to truly love is my life's work
     as is slowing down to experience life's simplest beauty … and the little moments in life … that 
     truly make up our own big picture.

So you see this week  I am truly grateful for struggle's visit
and
I  pray I have learned enough
and 
keep this in my heart
so 
she isn't a frequent visitor :))


As always my friends

I wish you love and joy
as you find your own life gratitudes.





  

20 comments:

  1. Somewhere I read that children will change the pitch of your life: the highs are higher and the lows are lower . That is so true, isn't it? I enjoyed reading your reflections and will retread them later when I have a bit more time. In the meantime I thank you for the beautiful bouquets you are sending out to cold and soon to be snowing (again) north central AR. Have a lovely and peaceful weekend.

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    Replies
    1. Cornelia, I have never heard about children "changing the pitch of your life", but you are so right ... I couldn't agree more!

      Stay warm my dear, and as always, thank you for your thoughtful comment!

      xoxo
      Tamera

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  2. Lovely post today. I love your style and the beautiful flowers in your post.

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    1. Thank you very much Debi! Your watercolors are beautiful my dear!

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  3. beautiful photos! and I so agree my friend .. we are all on a journey of learning, and learning to love our self and to accept love. The struggles are needed to help us grow and how beautiful we grow within (and on the outside) when we are at peace. Wishing you a marvelous week-end..xo C. (HHL)

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    Replies
    1. Celia thank you so much for your loving and encouraging words! I am always so inspired by not only your beautiful soul … but how your turned something so tragic … into a life of beauty!

      I am so happy and excited by your chakra series … learning more about them, has been on my list for some time!

      xoxo
      Tamera

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  4. What a beautiful post, both visually and emotionally! It's good to remember that we can let go of so much suffering when we let go of the expectation that things will always go smoothly. Life is hard, yes, but that acknowledgement is so freeing! Have a beautiful weekend. (I just ADORE those pink roses...may have to go hunt some down over the weekend.)

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    1. Thank you dear use femme for your beautiful words! I absolutely agree how freeing it can be to acknowledge … life is hard! I feel I was always trying to ignore this truth and ended up … continually disappointed with myself. Now with this perspective … I know if I show up to life … and do my very best … that is enough.

      I hope you do go out and get some roses … I have had such joy this week form these beauties!

      As always, thank you for your visit … and your thoughtful comment my dear!

      xoxo
      Tamera

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  5. Such a healthy attitude. Your Valentines decor is delightful.

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    1. Thank you my dear .. for your visit … and your sweet words!

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  6. Tamera dear-such beauty and wisdom. Life is our journey and the path can be shadowed at times. I've learned that the dark times make the light times shine so much brighter. Your roses are spectacular. Enjoy that husband of yours coming home tonight. Scott and I make Friday nights date night too. ;). Loving this rain.
    xx, Heath

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    1. Thank you my dear … for your wise words! I see we both are having some big flower love … as I adore how yoou styled your oh so cheery hello tulips! Happy weekend girlfriend!

      xoxo
      Tamera

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  7. Beautiful Friday post Tamera. So true about comparison. The worst thing ever...Without it we can appreciate what we have so much better! Have a lovely weekend and stay cozy! We are enjoying the rain too! xx Kim

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    1. Thank you Kim … yes growing out of comparing ourselves to others is such a gift … and is replaced with so much more joy in life! I am so very impressed how supportive you always are to others!

      Wishing you a happy and cozy weekend my dear!

      xoxo
      Tamera

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  8. Hi Tamera,

    It is Adrienne's friend again, I hope someday we can meet, I feel like I know you and Adrienne and I speak of you and your blog
    when we get together. She speaks very highly of you and the friendship you have established through your blogging world.

    I sometimes feel life is over whelming as I have an amazing beautiful daughter who was born almost forty years ago with a
    severe birth defect and then three years in May my son was injured and was not expected to live. I felt I must have done
    something terribly wrong in my life to cause these things to happen to my children, but like you I no longer ask why me.

    I have learned to be grateful for the life I have and not be jealous of families who have healthy children and I am learning
    to not think about the what if's.

    Again thank you for all you give of yourself,

    Debbie

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    1. Debbie … first off … I send you warm loving hugs. I too, hope someday we can meet. My sister was born with birth defects … so I have some idea of the challenges involved … and then to have your son injured too … I am so very sorry.

      I am also very touched that you have learned gratitude through such hardships in life … I am very inspired by your attitude my dear.

      I have found … finding gratitude… no matter how challenging it may be … to be an effective traveling companion in life.

      Debbie, thank you for sharing your story with me … I am honored … and inspired.

      much love,
      Tamera

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  9. "If my soul's journey is my life's work...than learning how to love is my life's work..." That line is the essential it! Thank you for sharing yourself and your story here, Tamera. I am so enjoying your blog. We are at similar places in our lives and I love to see what "we" are going through from your perspective!

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  10. Denise thank you for visiting and your insightful comments! I am very intrigued with your art journaling as a vehicle for expressing your life journey … very well done my dear!

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  11. I love your post and the flowers. My attitude has changed since the early birth of my grandson.

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    1. Thank you Donna! I hope your journey is going well!

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