Hello Monday ... Hello Gratitude

 I am such a big believer in

Gratitude

Over the years it has helped transform 

my outlook on life.

I practice gratitude daily.

I write my goals for the day

and 

then make my 

Gratitude list.

Some days I can feel the Gratitude deeply

some days it feels a little further removed.

But on those days when it feels like it's escaping my heart

I still write my list because 

the practice of

Intentional Gratitude

works best with consistency.

The more effort I put into finding the magic in my life

the more magic there is in my life.

At night when I have trouble sleeping

I go through my day

and 

make note of all of the magical moments

and 

what I did well that day.

Trust me

it's a much better way to prepare for sleep than entertaining 

every fear and worry.

For me sometimes it feels like such   a mentally vulnerable state

laying in bed waiting for sleep

I have learned to train my focus on 

Gratitude

and

 Prayer.

This past week has been filled with much 

gratitude.

From huge gratitudes

for my son and his family selling their Texas house

to move back locally.

Talk about answered prayers.

I am exceedingly grateful 

Jeff and I got to see our grandchildren

while they were out here visiting SoCal this week.

I am also grateful Jeff and I got to go down to San Diego 

to help our darling daughter set up for a popup at 

You and Your's

Working on projects with her and her husband always fills my heart so full!

I got to meet up with a sweet Instagram follower

who was visiting in San Diego from Philadelphia 

That always warms my heart!

Instagram is such a wonderful community!

Jeff an I were in the area of one of my Mother's favorite restaurants

the Bali Hai on Shelter Island.

Since it was her birthday

we decided to stop for a tribute cocktail.

I can't believe it's been 5 years since she died.

We had a beautiful young waitress

who my heart was telling me needed some encouragement.

I sometimes get those intuitive feelings.

It often is a whole back and forth in my own head

to try to resist saying anything

especially because she was the kind of beautiful

that you wouldn't think needed reminding.

But if I feel it strongly my heart overrides my head.

When she came back to bring us the check

I told her I hope she knows how truly beautiful she is.

She took the compliment with a look of surprise and then 

some happiness crossed her face

and

 a glow from within seemed to rise up.

I thought it was a lovely moment and was happy that I had given

 her a kind and loving compliment.

We were preparing to leave

when she came back to say 

how much she  appreciated the compliment

and 

had really needed to hear that today

and 

then she began to cry.

I hugged the beautiful young waitress

telling her sometimes life can be hard on us all

but to always remember her own beauty and worth which brought

even harder tears.

I gave her a harder hug.

I will never no why this beautiful young women 

needed that encouragement

or 

why my heart was so touched to make sure she heard it

but that my friends

is a moment that touched My Heart.

We just never know what people are going through.

Or how the words of a stranger can be impactful.

But trust me they really can.

I've been on both sides of that scenario

And kind words really do matter.

I remember in I was in high school when it happened to me for the first time.

It was a simple hello form someone I admired (a lot)

It was just a kind and respectful hello  

during a time I  felt neither of about  myself.

The simple hello felt like a bolt of lightening of hope

I knew then and there

someday I wanted to be able  make people feel the same.

To reflect back others own goodness and light.

Isn't it ironic how our lives can be influenced by  such small moments

that are etched in our soul forever.

I bet Bo will never know how a simple hello could have such a profound and lasting impression.

So I leave you with this message.

If you have the opportunity to even smile and say hello. to a stranger

Do it!

You really don't know who really needs the boost of simple kindness.

But I do know we all do at one time or another.

So I for one will always 

go out of my way to be kind.

Because I have really needed it so many times in my own life.

As always my friends

I wish you love and joy 

as you style your life