January Gratitude ... #GratitudeCircle #MicroblogMondays #MondayMusings #openslather

January has flown by so quickly. It's been a good month and there are many things to be grateful for.

This year I chose nice surprises as my words for the year. I am grateful for the many nice surprises that came my way. But that's a post for another day.

I am grateful for 4 weeks of rest and relaxation. I enjoyed my holidays though I did not go anywhere. It was good to chill at home with the family, good to laze around, wake up late, do some artwork and crafting, read, and watch TV. And it was also good to catch up with friends.

Grateful to my mother for knitting a baby cardigan for a workmate's new born baby. My mum is awesome at knitting. It's her hobby. She also knits for the hospital neo natal intensive care unit and donates her knitted work to them via our local community centre.

pattern my mum is knitting

still a work in progress but should be finished in a couple of days.

and here is the finished product

And last but not least, today I am grateful for the cooler weather. It has been so hot, we've been melting.

Hope your January has been awesome. Share some of your special moments.

Linking to:
#GratitudeCircle
#MicroblogMondays
#MondayMusings
#openslather


Warm Regards


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UBC Jul 8 - Gratitude List #37

Ultimate Blogging Challenge  and  NaBloPoMo - Day 8

Linking to Alphabet Salad Gratitude List #37


Be grateful for the little things

image from my facebook page Suzy's Ilation

We are always grateful for the big things but the little things too deserve gratitude. So here's my list for today

Grateful for:

A blog award from Carol at Battered Hope - thank you Carol, honoured and greatly appreciated

A yummy hot cup of soup on a cold day

The bus being a little late rather than very late this morning

The camellias that have started to bloom in my garden

The electricity coming back on after just a few seconds


What are you grateful for today?


Warm Regards


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Gratitude List #36

I've missed doing these so getting back to my gratitude lists and linking up with Alphabet Salad's Gratitude list #36

So here is my list for today:

My Daily Thoughts:

• I started a daily thoughts series on my facebook page Suzy's Ilation 10 days ago and I'm really enjoying this as it gets me to focus on positive thinking. And I've had some nice interactions too.

Timetable Clashes sorted:

• Grateful that my son's timetable clashes were sorted by his lecturer so he doesn't have to change his subjects. Classic example of when you ask someone politely to resolve an issue, it gets resolved

Travel

• Thankful that my daughter reached her holiday destination safely and that her partner's house wasn't affected by the floods

Healing

• Thankful that my mother's leg is getting better

Appreciation

• Thankful for appreciation on a project well completed 
• Thankful for awards presented by bloggers and that reminds me, I need to do a post on that. 

So what are you grateful for today?


I was looking back on my gratitude posts like this one and quite intrigued that they get the lowest page views and comments. Is no one grateful for all the wonderful things in their life or interested in reading someone else's?

Have a great day and hope you all have a lot of things to be grateful for.

Warm Regards


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UBC Day 24 - Weekly Gratitude

Day 24 - Ultimate Blogging Challenge.
Linking to: Alphabet Salad Gratitude List #13

Thankful the weekend has started - it's been a long long week and I am so tired.

Thankful for lovely words about me that was posted by Kajal on her blog Rainbow Hues. Thanks Kajal.

I've done a lot of meditation this week. Thankful for all the meditations posted on youtube.


Have a peaceful day.


Check out these awesome bloggers who are also taking part in the UBC challenge:
  Shilpa  Kajal  Richa  Jairam  Sheethal  Kathy  Swati  Michelle  Nabanita

My previous UBC Jan 2014 posts here


Drop by my facebook page Suzy's Ilation and if any of your posts needs some tlc, add it to the goodwill thread there and I'll drop by and give it some love.

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Warm Regards

UBC Day 16 - Gratitude

Day 16 - Ultimate Blogging Challenge.
Linking to: Alphabet Salad Gratitude List #12

My mind is a complete blank today so I thought this would be a good day for some gratitude

• Grateful that I had a nice 3 week break from work and spent it at home just chilling

• Grateful that I am now back at work - it's good to have a job I enjoy

• Grateful that I had the most awesome Christmas with my children

• Grateful that the weather has been mostly sunny and warm this week

• Grateful that I could spend some fun time with friends

• Grateful for some refreshing mango smoothie on a warm day

Hope you've had a great day.


Check out these awesome bloggers who are also taking part in the UBC challenge:
  Shilpa  Kajal  Richa  Jairam  Sheethal  Kathy  Swati  Michelle  Nabanita

My previous UBC Jan 2014 posts here


Drop by my facebook page Suzy's Ilation and if any of your posts needs some tlc, add it to the goodwill thread there and I'll drop by and give it some love.

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Warm Regards

Blog Hop - I am grateful for ...

Daphne Steinberg is the host for this week's prompt for The Thursday Writer's Post blog hop.

I came across this poem that sums up what I am grateful for very nicely 

For each new morning with its light,

For rest and shelter of the night,

For health and food, for love and friends,

For everything Thy goodness sends.

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

I am also grateful for my wonderful family - for the love and support they give me.


Warm Regards

A jumble of many themes or Blogger's Choice.

The last few weeks have been pretty hectic job hunting and hence my blog has been a little neglected.

There have been some great prompts at Blogging for Fun,  GBE2 and The Writers Post  - Gratitude, Solitude, Jane's tale, Interview and Blogger's choice.

So here is my post - a jumble of all these themes or Blogger's Choice.

I believe that Gratitude is a key ingredient in having a joyful, abundant and fulfilling life. So first and foremost I would like to thank this wonderful Universe for bringing an awesome job to me after so many months of searching for one.

I have enjoyed these months (most of the time), doing all the things I wanted to do and just enjoying time with my family, R&R, but there have been days when I've felt low, when the future seemed quite bleak. I was starting to feel quite worried about my finances so it's such a relief.

I am so grateful for the offer that came through last week. Thank You to the Universe and everyone involved in this process.

Isn't it weird, that when you are destined for something, things just flow and they arrive so easily in your life.

In the last 3 months I have been to several interviews.

One was just awful. The interviewers were so confrontational - no interviewing skills there. They tend to forget that the candidate is also assessing them and their organisation. They weren't very good ambassadors for their company.

One went really well but eventually went nowhere. The interviewer didn't even get back to me (*shakes head*). I got the feeling I was their back-up option in case their internal recruitment went awry. Would be nice to have some honesty there. I spent many sleepless nights over this one as I really wanted this role. The project was so interesting. But I guess there was something better lined up for me. (I am still waiting for an answer on this one - too late for them now).

Another interview was great - a nice easy flow but I lost out on a coin toss to someone else. Obviously I wasn't meant to be there.

And then finally, the interviews that were just perfect. I really enjoyed both (for the same job) and I knew as soon as I walked out of there that an offer would come. It's a great offer and I really liked the person I will be working with.

Does this line up with what I want to do (see my post on Work)?  I don't know, all I know is that I had this feeling I had to apply and then things moved so fast - within a week I had 2 interviews and a job offer.

So I will go with the flow and see where it takes me. For now I am so thankful and excited. This will be a fun job.

In the months of R&R I often spent time in solitude, reflecting on my past jobs and what I really wanted. And it's quite uncanny how many blog posts and emails I read regarding meditation for abundance, setting of clear intentions, being open to possibilities, clearing blocks to abundance and manifesting.

So I did them all and actually strangely enough about 10 days ago I got to a place of "okay I've done it all, I feel great and I'm ready for that abundance to start pouring in".

Wow - I am astounded but also very grateful and thankful to all these people. They were, I guess, messengers showing me the way to and preparing me for the next step in my journey. Thank You all.

And now onto Jane's story ... where does she come into this?

Some days ago, Jane got badly cut on her face and had stitches to close up the gash. So how did this happen? Here's the "Tale" ....

Jane has this unexplainable connection to me. Unfortunately every unpleasant emotion that I go through (like anger), Jane goes through as well. And I always forget that whenever I practise my karate and punch and kick those imaginary heads, it's poor Jane that feels the impact - quite significantly.

So in those interviews that upset and frustrated me, out came the imaginary punching bag that had "those" faces on them and when I started punching them in earnest, Jane in her faraway land put her hand to her face and felt the blood pour out of the big gash. Ouch, ouch, ouch. Lucky a nice friend rushed Jane to the ER to get it checked and attended to.

Sorry Jane. Next time I'll say a prayer that an invisible shield (used in the days of Star Trek and Star Wars) magically appears before your face. Take Care Jane. Get well soon. Love and hugs to you.


Warm Regards



Prompts from:

The Writers Post - Bloggers Choice, Interview

Blogging for Fun - Gratitude, Solitude

GBE2 - Jane's Tale 

    

Goodbye 2011 and Hello 2012

I wish you all the most awesome 2012 - may all your hopes and dreams come true - I know mine will.

Thank you all for visiting and reading my blog and for all the lovely comments that all of you take the time to write.

And then most of all I thank my Heavenly Father and Mother for their Grace and Blessings.




Warm Regards

Thankful Thursday - November 4

I thought so much of my dad today and all the memories came flooding back. So today's Thankful Thursday is dedicated to family.

My dad was the most loving and kind human being I have ever known.   All I have learned in life, I have learned from him. He was my rock and guiding star. He was the one constant thing in my life someone I could always depend on and when he died I was shattered. But I know that he left me a legacy of strength, courage, kindness and love. And that everything he taught me will be enough to take me forward in my life. I am so thankful and lucky to have had a dad like him. My post on Appreciate Life and my blog Photos are Fun are dedicated to him. Be at peace dad. 

I am so thankful that my mother is here with me, alive and well. When dad taught me how to live an earthly existence, my mother has taught me the Spiritual side of life. That's not to say that dad was not Spiritual, he was just silent in his faith. Mum is the perfect half of dad, heaven and earth, the perfect balance for me.

My children are my strength and joy. Their love and respect for me is unconditional. Just a hug or a smile is enough to lift my spirits. They are the essence of my soul. I am so blessed and so thankful to have such beautiful children. My post last week also gave thanks to them - they mean so much to me.

Wish you all a beautiful day.

Warm Regards

Linking to:   Black Tag Diaries Thankful Thursday    Southern Charm Thankful Thursday

Thankful Thursday - 27 October

I've spent a lot of time catching up with friends in the last week. I love this quote from Oprah "Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down". Amazing how many friends you have when you're riding the limo and how quickly they disappear when the bus comes along. So thankful for these lovely friends that take the bus with me.

Good health is something we take for granted until something happens. Had a bit of a scare last week with my eye and I'm so relieved that all is well. So thankful for good health.

My kids are my strength and joy. Whenever I'm down they lift my spirits and cheer me up. A hug is enough to brighten my day. So thankful and blessed to have such lovely kids.

The last 2 days I've been up and down. Just felt like I'd hit a wall and this afternoon I prayed for guidance. The Universe replied via so many nice blog posts. All providing the message (in different ways) to feel the fear but do it anyway, to have the faith and jump, visualise the life you want and know that it is yours. So thankful that the answers always come.

Wish you all good health, good friends, loving kids (for those who have them or wish for them), and answers to prayers.

Warm Regards

Linking to Black Tag Diaries Thankful Thursday

Thankful Thursday - 13 October

Usually towards the end of the year, the job market dries up and with the elections coming up in November, the biggest industry here - the Government is starting to put projects on hold. But I am ever so grateful that so many agencies have called with potential jobs. Crossing fingers that one of them will come through for me.

It's such a thrill to have a world cup sporting event held in your country. The Rugby World Cup is underway in New Zealand. So grateful to get a chance to be part of it. The semi finals are on Sunday - New Zealand vs Australia. Go New Zealand. It will be an even bigger thrill watching NZ play in the finals. So excited.

After my dad passed away about 1.5 years ago, each time a relative lands into hospital I get quite anxious. So glad my uncle recovered quickly.

Wishing you all a day of marvellous opportunities and good health.

linking this post to Black tag diaries Thankful Thursday

Warm Regards

Thankful Thursday - 29 September

So many good things have happened this week.

My inner spirit soars and I am so grateful to all my kindred spirits.

My series Paint Write and Be Grateful (PWG) focussed on the month's grateful events, thoughts etc, But I think I need to do that more often so I am starting a new series Thankful Thursday that uses the same theme as my PWG series.

I will post my Thankful Thursdays each fortnight so I can continue with my Thursday Thoughts every other fortnight.

So here is the first one in my new series.

I am so thrilled today that another one of my posts got featured in HerFuture's Blogs we Dig. 

Check them out at My featured blogs

The weather here is so awesome today. The sun is shining, not a cloud in the sky and no wind. And anyone who lives here will know that no wind is rare! As we say down here ... It's a cracker.

So have a sun-shiney, spirit-soaring day.

Warm Regards

I Love Quotes - Albert Schweizer on being Thankful

In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out.
It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being
We should be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.
                                      ~Albert Schweizer


So often we take for granted the benefactors who come our way. Sometimes all they do is just speak kindly to us, or encourage us, hug us or just simply listen.

In the last 3 weeks so many of these wonderful people have come my way and helped me through a troubling time. I am so grateful to all of them. Because of them my inner spirit has been rekindled.

I am a firm believer that being grateful for all the things that come our way is the way to happiness. That doesn't mean that only good things come our way.

Sometimes it is the difficult moments in life that we need to be most grateful for because they make us sit up and take stock of our life. They are messages from the Universe to alert us that we are straying from our life purpose and they coax us onto our destined path.

When troubling moments arrive, I don't always understand why but I have learned to trust the Universe that   it is always a stepping stone to something better. Over the years I have learned that our attitude to these moments either make or break us and that the bad times don't last forever.

So many people appear on our path to lift us out of the troubling moments and we may not even know who they are.  My blog readers are also my benefactors and more importantly those whose blogs I subscribe to and read provide me with the inspiration I need every moment of the day. I am so grateful for all the wonderful posts that I read everyday.

Today's post was inspired by Jodi Chapman's post Grateful for an act of Grace.  Thanks Jodi for an inspirational post.

May all those who rekindle our inner spirit, constantly appear on our path.

Thank you to all you wonderful people out there.

Warm Regards

My blogs featured on HerFuture "Blogs we Dig"

I am so stoked.

3 of my blog posts have been featured on HerFuture Blogs we Dig.

Last updated:  29 September 2011.

     
 


   Adversity is a catalyst

 


   Blessings in Disguise










 

Being Thankful - Rekindling the inner spirit

Paint Write and be Grateful - July

Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude 
                                                                                                                  ~ Denis Waitley


I truly believe that to be grateful is to be happy. So here is my July grateful post.

All my July posts on this series were good and selecting 3 were really difficult.

My earlier post on my happiest childhood memory put me into a sentimental mood.

So in a sentimental mood, here are the ones I finally chose.

So grateful ....

Companion posts:
    My happiest childhood memory
    A beloved classroom
 
Related posts:
    Paint Write and be Grateful - May
    Paint Write and be Grateful - June

Thursday Thoughts - The Warrior of the Light is Grateful

Paulo Coelho is one of my favourite authors and his "Warrior of the Light: A Manual" is one of my favourite books.

Whenever I am need of inspiration, motivation or comfort, I find a passage from this book that moves me along on my journey through life.

     In my Thursday Thoughts posts, I will quote some texts from the
     book and my thoughts on it.




Lately there have been many posts and tweets on gratitude so I think this one is perfect for this week's post.


A Warrior of the Light knows that he has much to be grateful for.  
Angels help him in his struggle, celestial forces place each thing in its place, 
thus allowing him to give it his best. 
His gratitude, however, is not limited to the spiritual world; he never forgets his friends.
A Warrior does not need to be reminded of the help given him by others. 
He is the first to remember.


I know that there have been so many events in my life that have been Divinely guided.  And I am most aware of that in my working life.

I describe my projects as a jigsaw puzzles and as I progress through them, the pieces start to fall into place. I have often stood at crossroads and wondered what step to take to lead my team forward. A solution will suddenly appear. I get handed the next piece in the jigsaw that I need. Sometimes, my team will provide the answer sometimes I find it myself with a sudden thought in my head.

In other aspects of my life too, I know that Divine forces help me along my path.

Some years ago I was returning home from work and came to a busy crossing.  I was deep in thought and blindly following the crowd. I was about to step onto the road when suddenly behind me I heard someone say "We should stop there are many cars coming". It jolted me out of my reverie and stopped me just in time. Had I not, I would have probably been hit by the car that came zooming down the road.

There are so many other incidents in my life where the Universe has quietly come to my rescue or nudged me on my path. Paulo Coelho's tweet "I may not recognize God's hand each day, but I know it's there " describes this best.

I am extremely grateful for the support and help of my Spiritual helpers, my co-workers, my wonderful family and friends.  My Paint Write and be Grateful series helps me feel the gratitude every day of my life. And so before I sleep each night I give thanks to all.


My gratitude posts

     
     May post
 
     June post





Links:  Paulo Coelho

Paint Write and be Grateful - June

I believe that gratitude is one of the keys that unlocks your heart and keeps it open to receive the blessings of the Universe.

This month's post in my Paint Write and be Grateful series is based on the wonderful gift of Life and the simple things in it ...

Some days ago I watched an interesting Oprah show.

The invited guest was a lady who survived a plane crash but sustained 80% burns all over her body.

Her face is completely disfigured and she lives in constant pain. She needs to wear special gloves on her hands to keep her fingers in place and she can't hug or hold her kids.

Yet she was smiling and happy. She has so much courage to live such a difficult life. I really admire her.

But it got me thinking of how lucky I am to have such a wonderful life, to be whole and healthy.

Her story triggered this post ....

So Grateful

Paint Write and Be Grateful - May

I've always wanted to do something with microsoft paint. But I also enjoy writing. And then I thought of the perfect post - combining writing with paint.

Paint Write and Be Grateful is a series of posts that I share with friends and family in a private blog. I'll post a selection of them monthly on this blog. So here is one for May:

Starting my new job on Monday - so thankful and grateful

I have family all over the world and keeping in touch with them through skype is awesome

Ho'oponopono - I am such a great fan of this technique. So simple, yet so effective (for me anyway).  Thank you Dr Joe Vitale and Dr Hew Len.