"The Importance of Being Thankful"

 

With Thanksgiving Day fast approaching, I started thinking more about the importance of being thankful. Especially during this time of year, I like to contemplate the things in my life for which I am truly grateful. 

One thing that I am feeling thankful for right now is that I'm finally getting to write this blog post! I'm running a bit late with my post since I've been working on a pet portrait which was due yesterday. Just in the nick of time, I finally finished it! It must have been okay, since the ones who commissioned the portrait seemed to love it! Happy! Thankful!

Pastel Portrait of Cute Dog

I even have a thankful journal that I write in at the end of every day. My journal entries range from simple things like being thankful for a beautiful, sunny day or being thankful that I am still able make some calculations using a pencil and paper (I can cypher like Jethro who often does cyphering on one of our favorite television shows, "The Beverly Hillbillies," a '60's American sitcom.) instead of using a calculator.

In my journal, I write about important things, too, like being thankful that the vet's less-than-positive diagnosis for one of our beloved cats has changed- We researched healing our cat. We even contacted a psychic who is a reiki master that did long-distance reiki on her. Greg, who is a natural healer, continues healing her periodically. In addition, we contacted the prayer group at Julie Green Ministries to pray for our fur baby. (FYI- www.jgminternational.org ) 

Doing all of the above seems to be working because she has made a remarkable recovery for which we are truly grateful! (The power of prayer, positive thinking and doing, and being thankful for her healing all worked together for a positive outcome.)

For a better life, author Eldon Taylor says to say, "Thank you. Thank you. Thank you." and to smile.

Being thankful is really important since it opens the door for even more wonderful things to come into our lives. In fact, you can be thankful in advance for things you hope to manifest in your life!

We have a pretty painting of a colorful arrangement of vegetables that my father, Bill Botts, did when he first started painting. It hangs in our kitchen, along with a plaque above it, with the word "thankful." These are colorful, everyday reminders for us to always be thankful for our blessings, not just one day a year, but all year.

Happy Thanksgiving!

For a positive memoir about living life in Southern Appalachia, check out Becky's book, "Down Memory Lane" which is on Amazon in both the Kindle and paperback versions. For more information, please see the widget above.

Positive thought: "Try to stay positive, and thankful, and believe that things will get better!" -Becky Arnott

Thanks for visiting! Until Saturday, December 2, 2023, Becky

 

'Tis the Season

 

Welcome!

This is a very special time of the year, for many reasons. 

It's the holiday season that began with Thanksgiving, which most of us just celebrated in many different ways with family and/or friends.

"If you practice gratitude a lot every day, your life will change dramatically and in ways you can hardly imagine."-From "The Magic" by Rhonda Byrne

So, it's important to give thanks, not just at Thanksgiving, but throughout your day, every day. the more you are thankful, the more you are blessed.

Last week, Greg and I were outside a grocery store which is in a small shopping center when we heard absolutely beautiful music outside another nearby store. A grocery store employee walked by, and I asked her what was going on. She said that it was a busker. I had to ask her what a busker was, and she explained that it was someone who performed for money, usually on a street.

Greg and I had seen people occasionally performing on the street in larger towns and cities, but we'd never before heard the word "busker." This type of entertainment is very rare in our area.

I decided to investigate, and I saw a man expertly playing an electrified violin. 

Tears filled my eyes as I read the sign beside him and listened to his wonderful music. He was good enough to play with the finest orchestras in the world, and yet, here he was, during the time of the holidays, having to help support his family the best he knew how. Many people who passed by were thankfully donating to him and his family.

"Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest you."-Mother Teresa

"No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted."-Aesop

The talented violinist is not the only one who has suffered during this time in our country (and in other countries, as well). I recently heard a caller on a radio talk show, and I learned that through no fault of his own, he was without a job and was homeless. This, unfortunately, seems to be the tip of the iceberg these days!

"Helping others in need is not only a responsibility of life; it is what gives meaning to life."-Molly Marti

While it is great to help others when they need it, nearly everyone can improve their situation in life by applying certain principles.

"A positive attitude gives you power over your circumstances instead of your circumstances having power over you."-Joyce Meyer 

To overcome any difficult circumstance, I do believe we need to have a positive attitude, to pray, and to believe everything will turn out for the best. 

Don't go by appearances; we need to know in our hearts that- "Everything Will Be Okay"-Dana Perino

"The Best Is Yet to Come..." www.jgminternational.org

"-play, laugh, sing, dance, be joyful, hug a tree, and love each other!"-www.matthewbooks.com

Yes, 'tis the season to be thankful, to give to others, and to be positive, all of which would be great to do all year long! What a great world we'd all have then!

Positive thought: "As we work to create light for others, we naturally light our own way."-Mary Anne Radmacher

Thanks for visiting! Until Sunday, December 11, 2022, Becky

 

A Fall Celebration in Tennessee

Greg and I had a wonderful two-day fall celebration a few days ago when we went to East Tennessee to celebrate Thanksgiving with some of our family.

When we got to our destination, Jonesborough, Tennessee, it was time for supper, so we asked our B&B host to recommend somewhere to eat, and he suggested a new restaurant in town, "The Black Olive." We were so glad he did since the food was delicious!

Chicken Primavera from "The Black Olive"

After our meal, we went to the "Blair-Moore House" in historic downtown Jonesborough where we were spending the night.

This B&B has been highly rated by "Southern Living" magazine, and there are several other accolades, as well. Greg and I will have to agree, this is one of the best places that we've ever stayed!

There's even an excellent short "PBS" documentary on "Facebook" about "Blair-Moore House" which tells the history, etc. of the house that you can access from the "Blair-Moore House" website. (See website address below.)

The innkeepers renovated and beautifully decorated the house themselves.

Everything is so authentic to the period.

An artist friend of the innkeepers painted the primitive mural above on the stairway wall.

Our beautiful room even had a canopy bed which was a first for Greg and me.

There were even scrumptious chocolates by our bedside. They were handmade in Jonesborough by "Earth & Sky Confections."

Speaking of food, the next morning's gourmet breakfast was also a special treat-

The fresh fruit with dip was terrific, as was the French toast, bacon, potatoes, and more.

"...What might be the world's best breakfast"-"Southern Living" magazine

One of the Four Adorable Resident Dogs Asleep on One of the Dining Chairs

After breakfast, Tami Moore, one of the inn keepers who also cooked our wonderful breakfast, showed us some of the pieces her talented husband, Jack, had made for the house. He even has his own workshop on the grounds where he makes his quality wood pieces.

Tami is talented herself. Besides being an excellent chef, she is also an artist who does paintings, and...

she makes lovely jewelry to sell.

Me, relaxing outside the "Blair-Moore House," with thoughts of, "How soon can we come back?"

 FYI:

"Blair Moore House"
201 West Main Street
Jonesborough, TN 37659

www.blairmoorehouse.com

While our stay there was a wonderful experience, it was time to move on to our next destination...

Betty's, for a fantastic Thanksgiving dinner!

We all pitched in and brought some of our favorite things for the meal. 

"Eat, drink, and be thankful."
-PictureQuotes.com

Greg, Getting Dessert-Yum!

The family cat, wishing at the moment that he were an indoor cat instead of an outdoor one.

We all had a wonderful time together, and we're planning our next get-together for December.

Positive thought: "Today be thankful and think how rich you are. Your family is priceless, your time is gold, and your health is wealth."-SayingImages.com

Thanks for visiting! Until Sunday, December 18, Becky

Being Thankful

Welcome!

"If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, 'thank you,' that would suffice."
-Meister Eckhart

The holidays are the perfect time to evaluate things, and to be thankful for all of the many blessings in our lives.

In addition to my daily "thankful journal," I try to make a list around Thanksgiving of all of the things for which I am thankful, for the year thus far.  By doing this, it's truly amazing to see what wonderful lives we really have without consciously realizing it.

On my list, which I'm just starting, is that I'm so thankful for my loved ones, my blog post readers...and the list will go on and on!

For what are you thankful this holiday season?

Helpful (thankful) hint: Rhonda Byrne has the right idea in her powerful, life-changing book "The Magic" which is all about the "power of gratitude."

Thanksgiving poem:

May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey be plump,
May your potatoes and gravy have nary a lump.

May your yams be delicious
And your pies take the prize,
And may your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off your thighs!
-Grandpa Jones

May you have a blessed and very happy Thanksgiving!

Please check out our latest iStock photos:
http://www.istockphoto.com/portfolio/rebecca-arnott#10f6e9a3

Positive thought: The attitude of gratitude attracts even more to be grateful about!
Thanks for visiting!  Until next Sunday, Becky

Thankfulness

          "Thankfulness"
"Sitting here by the fireside
Thoughts crowd into my mind
I am so sheltered and happy
Neither homeless nor sick nor blind.

I have so much to be thankful for
My home, my family, each friend.
So much I take for granted
Numerous things without end.

I want Him to know I'm thankful,
I hardly know how to start
But I feel that nothing can equal
The Thanksgiving in my heart."
-Sally May Bledsoe, age 16

The above poem was written many years ago by my Aunt Sally.  It was sincere, from the heart.  ( Another of Aunt Sally's poems is on my 10/28/13 blog post.)

Greg and I had an early Thanksgiving this year at my brother Nick and his wife Lisa's home, combined with a birthday celebration of two family members, John and R. H., whose birthdays are the same date, 70 years apart.  (What's more, two additional family members share the same November birth date as John and R. H.!  What are the odds of something like that happening?  Life is a real mystery sometimes.)

Positive thought:  May you have a blessed and happy Thanksgiving!

Thanks for visiting!  Until next Sunday, Becky