Thankful Thoughts
Thankful Thoughts: Sleep
Today’s thankful thought is getting enough restful sleep. Today’s Black Friday and you won’t find me standing outside in the freezing temperatures at 4am to score a deal. Instead, you’ll find me sleeping in a warm bed. All the food yesterday made me extra drowsy. I’ve done the Black Friday crazy shopping day once and that was enough for me. So go ahead and ‘score’ your deal, I’ll see you when I awake.
Health Benefits of Sleep:
– Improve Memory – Avoid Accidents – Improve Grades & Job Performance – Maintain Healthy Weight – Sharpen Attention – Lower Stress – Decrease Anxiety & Depression – Positive Mood – Spark Creativity – Keeps Your Heart Healthy – Naps Freshen Your Day – Helps Your Body Make Repairs – May Prevent Cancer – Hormone Production for Growth – Tissue Repair (Beauty Sleep) – Promotes Longevity Tips for Better Sleep: – Keep the bedroom quiet, cool, and dark. – Avoid caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol three to six hours of bedtime. – Avoid heavy meals three hours of bedtime. – Use bedroom only for sleep – not for watching television, playing video games, office work, and other distractions. – Write a “worry list” or “to do” list before bed, so your mind is free to sleep. – Exercise at least 30 minutes a day, but no later than three hours before lights out. – Put work aside two to three hours before sleeping. – Nap no later than 8 hours before bed. – Drink warm milk or decaf tea before bed. – Go to sleep and wake up at the same time each day…even on the weekend. – If you fail to fall asleep within 25 minutes then get out of bed and read something. – Make the bedroom pleasing with comfortable pillows, lavender, and clean – Pamper yourself with massage, meditation, soothing music, yoga, positive imagery, or a warm bath. – Dim lights two to three hours before bedtime and get out in bright sunshine when you awake. – Get a doctor’s advice about taking sleep medicine. – Consult a sleep specialist if you have difficulty sleeping. I think the world may be a tad happier if we all had a nap during the day and received enough sleep. www.sleepfoundation.org/ http://sleepbetter.org/home/ Sleep_MythsThankful Thoughts: Health
Today’s thankful thought is that I’ve been lucky enough to be healthy with no serious illnesses. Of course, sometimes I’d like to be in better health with more exercise. I don’t really believe in diets. You should enjoy good food in moderation. Besides, you often eat more when you deprive yourself of what you truly desire. So I’ll enjoy nature’s bounty with a sliver of rich chocolate cake followed by a walk with the dog.
Thankful Thoughts: Memories
It’s approaching the holiday season and I think back to family traditions during this time. Today’s thankful thought is how wonderful it is to remember memories both good and bad. For some reason, the terrible moments at the time turn out to be the best memories. I still remember a family vacation at the ocean and it rained buckets. Thankfully, we weren’t camping and getting drenched. (Although, that happened before.) We sure got on each other’s nerves being in a tight cabin, but it still makes me smile as I watch past videos. I’ll share a memory from that experience.
We were staying in the Olympic National Park region, which is actually a temperate rain forest. It now makes sense with the raining buckets. We were at the stage of getting bored and crazy since we were in a small space. Oh, and there was no television to just pop in a video and pass the time until the rain stopped. So, my family decided to visit the Big Cedar Tree. Yes, there’s even a highway sign that states Big Cedar Tree. So of course we had to check this out and it turned into our activity for the day. We bundled up into our rain gear and ran to the automobile. We arrived at the Big Cedar Tree and my sisters and I huddled inside the tree from getting wet. Overall, it was a fun family outing. It’s now the family joke to mention to others to visit the Big Cedar Tree if they’re near the location.
This photo shows somewhat of the tight cabin space.
Here are some photos at Kalaloch Beach. Of course, these photos are an example of wonderful weather. Although, even stormy and windy weather can be fun…watching from a distance and inside where it’s warm.
Thankful Thoughts: Patriotism
Today is Veteran’s Day and I thought it would be appropriate to make my thankful thought for all those brave men and women who fought for the United States. I’m thankful that I live in the United States and have so many opportunities. I’m thankful for all the individuals who fight for freedom and justice. Freedom isn’t free.
Thankful Thoughts: Education
Today’s thankful thought is that I’m lucky to have an education and as I teach young minds I’m hopefully molding future learners. Education is a powerful tool that unlocks doors and awakens minds for knowledge. Education prepares individuals for a better society.
Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.
– Nelson Mandela
Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today.
– Malcolm X
Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young.
– Henry Ford
Thankful Thoughts: Voice
Today’s thankful thought is voice. I describe ‘voice’ in two ways: an opinion and physically able to speak. Every day my voice sounds weaker and harsher. I feel a cold approaching. I blame talking too much in class when students should be quiet. It’s awful, because I love reading aloud and I’m sadden when I sound like a frog. So, I’d like my voice back to speak and laugh. I’m thankful I live in a society where I can voice my opinion. So for now I’ll stop talking too much and voice my opinion through writing.
Thankful Thoughts: Warmth
It’s now November and I live in the Northern Hemisphere in the Pacific Northwest. Translation: The weather is now getting cooler. I enjoy the snow, but fortunately it’s never a blizzard here. Although, the news will tell you differently. Today’s thankful thought is that I have a warm place to watch the snow (if there is any) from inside and not shivering outside. Here are a few scarves that I knitted. I wish I mastered skills to knit more items. I’ve made a blanket, but that’s basically a large scarf.
Thankful Thoughts: Sorrow
Yesterday’s thankful thought was laughter. Nobody wants to be sad or gloomy, but I think in order to truly appreciate all that is good you need a bit of sadness. So today’s thankful thought is sorrow, which in a sense is the yin to laughter. Sometimes we feel a little down or not ourselves, so it’s okay to cry those tears and vent our frustrations. Hopefully, you won’t remain in sorrow for long.
Thankful Thoughts: Laughter
They say laughter is often the best form of medicine. Today’s thankful thought is the power that laughter can awaken your spirit. I’m told that I’m too serious at times and should lighten up, so laughter does the trick. It doesn’t matter the source behind the laughter whether it’s a television show, inside joke with family, comics, or simply laughing at yourself. Perhaps you’d like to sign up for laughter yoga. (I’m not making a joke, it’s a real thing.) There are even laughter therapy sessions for cancer patients. Discover the health benefits of laughter and the science of laughter.
Benefits of Laughter:
– Boosts immunity
– Lowers stress hormones
– Decreases pain
– Relaxes your muscles
– Prevents heart disease
– Adds joy and zest to life
– Eases anxiety and fear
– Relieves stress
-Improves mood
– Enhances resilence
– Strengths relationships
– Attracts others to us
– Enhances teamwork
-Helps defuse conflict
– Promotes group bonding
Ways to Laugh:
– Smile more
– Be around fun people
– Let yourself go and not be serious
– Read the comics each day and cut those that you make you laugh.
– When something annoying or frustrating occurs turn it around and find the humor.
– Spend time with children and pets.
– Watch comedy shows.
– Write funny captions to old family photos.
– Laugh at yourself
– Speak in a foreign accent
– Make a silly routine for a normally boring activity.
– People watch to see odd behavior.
– Share jokes and ask others to give their favorite joke.
– Laugh at someone else’s awkward family photos. Trust me, these photos will make you laugh.
Thankful Thoughts: Nature’s Wonders
Today’s thankful thought is the many beautiful nature views seen daily. Even a cloudy sky can appear mysterious. So many times I wish I had my camera to capture ‘wow’ moments that make you realize that you’re much smaller in the grand scale. There are numerous lists with the most beautiful places to visit and the wonders of the world, but any scene in nature is breathtaking.
Hawaii
Can you see the butterfly?
Alaska Mountain Range
Thankful Thoughts: Furry Friend
Yesterday’s thankful thought was the importance of loved ones, but today’s thankful thought highlights a loved one of a different sort. My dog George is always present with no judgements. He gives his full attention to what I say, especially with special rubs behind the ears or treats. He’s ready to pounce at the first chance for a walk. (Sometimes I wonder if he knows that I’m actually taking him for a walk.) He keeps me warm and protects me from any harms. Although, many times the ‘harms’ just make me laugh.
Read A Dog’s Purpose to wonder what your dog is thinking. I’ve already read the book twice!
Here’s a post about reading with your furry friend.
Thankful Thoughts: Loved Ones
Thanksgiving is three weeks from today and not only is it an American holiday that individuals stuff themselves with food it’s also time when you should thank your blessings. Idealistically, this should be done daily but I wanted to highlight different thankful thoughts that make me happy leading up to Thanksgiving.
My first thankful thought is the importance of loved ones. If my family and friends weren’t present then life may have no meaning. Loved ones provide strength and compassion during difficult times, but also are always present during celebrations.
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